in desperate need of some advice

Hi everyone! I was diagnosed with MS in April (I was 24 at the time), and am still adjusting and trying to come to terms with this. I know it probably seems like I'm whining, but I feel like my entire life has just spun out of control. I had my life all figured out -- I was engaged, bought a house with my fiance, got an awesome job, so the diagnosis came completely out of left field. I've tried to put on a really positive face for my family and friends because I don't want to worry them, but the reality is that I'm falling apart, and I find that because I try to shield everyone from my true feelings I really have no one to talk to and am continuously holding everything in. I suddenly feel like I am a stranger in my own life -- it's just so much to take in! My symptoms are relatively mild right now (except for the fatigue, which is horrible), so I guess I'm dealing more with the shock of this diagnosis than anything else. I'm also having a really hard time adjusting to the treatments. I've been on Betaseron since the end of June, and just can't seem to get used to the injections! Does anyone have any advice? Do these things just get easier with time??? I would love to hear your thoughts!

I'm so sorry that at your young age you have to deal with this...or any other chronic illness!

Certainly it was before your time, but it was one of the Beatles who famously said, "Life happens, when you're making other plans..."  Lots of people, especially at your age, figure out their lives..

and then things happen.  Things like:  Jobs don't work out, natural disasters strike...or like you, a chronic illness happens.  And, after a time of anger and grief, you'll find that you go on living, just not quite how you imagined it, but living OK, and doing OK and getting on with your life.

But it will take time.  You've had a lot to deal with in a short period of time, and you need to give yourself permission to grieve and be angry..and adjust to your meds.  Yes, injecting the Betaseron will get easier in time.  I always remind myself that my friend, who has diabetes, uses the same size needle I do, to inject her insulin -- several times a day, not just every-other-night, like me.  So I watch her, and then my little injection doesn't seem so awful, most of the time (I've been on Betaseron for 13 or more years, now).

Don't be afraid to talk to your family and friends. If you haven't already, go over to the National Multiple Sclerosis web site, at www.nmss.org and do some reading. There are things there that you can download that can help you explain to your family what you're dealing with.  They may well prove to be a valuable source of strength and help for you, as you come to deal with all of this.

And don't hesitate to come back here, and ask questions.  We'll try to help.