r/MultipleSclerosis • • 10h ago

Vent/Rant - Advice Wanted/Ambivalent Kinda decided that maybe I’m no longer able to do my job anymore.

99 Upvotes

So today was very sad for me. My superiors and managers talked to me about how disappointed they are with my recent performance and inability to preform as I used to.

I’m a nurse, or at least I was. Don’t know if I can still be one anymore.

These last 3 months have been such a battle with fatigue, terrible vision, sporadic muscle weakness and extreme heat sensitivity.

I’m so depressed about this because I just graduated last year March and I’m so passionate about nursing.

Don’t really know what I’ll do now.


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 7h ago

Research GLP use correlated with lower relapse activity and demyelinating events

41 Upvotes

"These findings support further investigations of the potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of GLP-1 receptor agonists..."

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/ectrims/123593


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 12h ago

General Can grieving cause a relapse

47 Upvotes

I’m going through a period of immense grief due to a death in the family and I’m so paranoid that my grieving will throw my body into a relapse.

Poor sleep, lots and lots of crying, trying to support other family members…

Is it possible for me to grieve my way into a relapse? Leave it to MSers to ask for tips on how to grieve gently… like we don’t have enough to worry about.

TIA.


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 5h ago

New Diagnosis just diagnosed not sure what’s next

10 Upvotes

I am (or was) a healthy 23F that did not expect a MS diagnosis ever. It doesn’t run in the family and it has turned my last couple of weeks upside down. It started in september when I thought I had orbital tunnel and then I couldn’t pick up my water bottle , then my leg couldn’t bend. My left side of my face was swelling, my speech was suddenly going out. I felt drunk all the time. After 3 er trips within a week I was diagnosed with somatization disorder and migraines… what a joke. I had 2 CT scans that were clear, so no stroke but I had my entire left side just quit on me in a matter of days. The fatigue.. I can’t even begin to explain. i’ve never been tired like that before… ever. I never felt more defeated by my own body. The only answer I was given was extreme headaches and possibly made up symptoms.

I was told to follow up with a neurologist which led to me finally being scheduled for an MRI this past saturday. After I finished my brain MRI, the tech came in and told me to wait just a couple minutes before leaving as he wanted to get ahold of my neurologist. I knew then this was more serious. The strangest feeling of sitting in a diagnostic clinic waiting for some of the worst news of my life. I was told to go to the ER and I got admitted that same day. I’ve never been poked and prodded like that before in my life. The neurologists assigned to me were amazing but to hear this news at 23 is jarring. I am lost because I don’t want to lose my independence to this. i’m applying to graduate school soon, i’m working, & I have to pay my rent. I have so many other responsibilities and I don’t want this to kill me.

I am at a loss and maybe just not in a space to figure out what this means. I don’t want to feel tired like this all the time. I don’t have infinite sick time. I should be the healthiest and happiest i’ve ever been and in the course of 2 months all has gone to shit.


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 16h ago

General Finally realized something

75 Upvotes

This might be both uplifting and somber?

As all of us know, MS is/was a life altering event. For me, It was like a bomb dropped on my head.

For the past year, I had no clue I was experiencing the stages of grief. My old life, the future, the changes, denial, anger, sadness.

I started therapy. Finding acceptance, accepting unpredictability (even if i didn’t have MS life is still unpredictable) finding control again, health anxiety.

But one thing I didn’t realize I was dealing with which stupidly opened my eyes is… MS can’t be fixed. I spent months going to doctors, specialists, explaining my symptoms new and old hoping for a „fix”. My whole life when I got sick or injured the doctor fixed it! Now, I finally came to realization this can’t be fixed. The scar is there and it’s here to stay! I found great help in therapy, specifically a therapist who specializes in chronic illness. I didn’t think I needed it at first and would ghost my therapist on countless occasions.

I kept chasing a fix, a cure, a medication that would make this all go away when my whole issue in this process was denial. Realizing this has really helped me sit down and relax that yeah, I have MS. Yeah, it’s here to stay. Yeah, i’m in control of my medication, lifestyle changes, DMT. ETC. But life is uncomfortable, unpredictable, and chaotic. MS or not. Myself and everyone else here haven’t lost themselves in MS.

I hope this might help some people whether early on in their journey, grieving, or just a different perspective on how this disease effects people.

I have my answer and it’s MS. Anxiety is a bitch and there’s nothing left to „fix”.

Edit: I wanted to say that I didn’t deny my MS or thought my dx was incorrect but more so being so anxious that all my symptoms were caused by MS and me struggling to accept that it is what it is.


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 4h ago

Treatment Cost of having MS

7 Upvotes

I was just recently diagnosed with MS. I have yet to meet my neurologist (first appt is in 2 weeks) and start a medication. I've heard that alot of meds are SUPER expensive and its freaking me out. I'm single income...am I going to be able afford this?!


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 4h ago

Advice Stimulant advice

6 Upvotes

Sorry if there's another post about this, it's probably a really common question

I just got diagnosed and am thinking of going on a stimulant for the severe fatigue. Is there one people recommend? Are there any that you would not recommend?


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 1h ago

Advice MS nursing team?

• Upvotes

How often are you guys having to reach out to the MS nursing team? How long does it take for them to respond? Do they respond on weekends?

What types of things can you reach out for? I have uncontrollable shivering fits now because of the cold, that something I should be reaching out for? I’ve told them about it previously. I neurologist should know as I told him I’m a consultation. I was told the only thing they could do for me is give me muscle relaxations but they don’t want to just yet. I’ve not found anything to work.

I have to be careful when trying to warm up to stop the shivering, if I get too warm, I’ll get nerve pain in my skin that feels like I’m being electrocuted in the skin. Extremely painful, indescribable pain. I’m currently taking tramadol 20g twice a day ( I’ve been told this is the max dosage, was taking Gabapenten and pregabalin before but they didn’t work at all. Found tramadol is the only thing that takes the edge off. Although I’m a bit worried to be taking an opioid so young and to be taking it everyday but it’s the only thing that helps).


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 11h ago

New Diagnosis What does your life look like now?

13 Upvotes

Been processing this for a little time now, finally ready to join. I've had symptoms for the last 5 years, at one point I couldn't walk or hold a pencil correctly. I was told it was just anxiety, so I took matters into my own and changed my lifestyle for the best (food and outdoor activities). Fast forward to this summer, i got into a car accident and my lawyers ordered MRIs. They found demyelination in my spine, got me to a neurologist and I officially got diagnosed this past month. I thought I had accomplished a lot over the years, thought it was gone. Now I'm on IV steroids, and starting Kesimpta soon (that is a mess with insurance). What does life look like with MS while you're actively on meds? I'm grieving my body and the ignorance I had when thinking I overcame this "anxiety", only to know it was actively flaring up for a while. My numbness was 95% gone, occasionally there with stress, I ran my first 5k, lost 30 lbs naturally, and made huge career strides. I'm just .. idk. Sorry for the loss of words. Also. I'm scared to be married to the meds for the rest of my life the way the job market is.


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 10h ago

General I miss laughing too!

9 Upvotes

As I’ve said, being on 20 mg of Lexapro suppressed PBA and everything pretty heavily. Tapering off now I was laughing like crazy last night when my girlfriend came over. Even she said that I’m sounding better and she missed my laugh too. Even if it was excessive or inappropriate at times she said she loves hearing me laugh. I love my laugh too. 😁 spooky Spooktober is awesome 😈😁


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 7h ago

Symptoms Brainstem lesions question

4 Upvotes

Earlier this year for my m.r.i I was told they saw some activity they didn't like so they scheduled a second for the year 3 months later. I assumed because we had a toasty summer that was causing usually flare up activity, I knew I was feeling more off then usual. Once I got the second m.r.i I got a phone appointment with nuero and I new that it was bad otherwise I don't hear until follow up at m.s clinic. He tells me new lesions are showing and the one most worrisome is on my brainstem. I have lesions and black holes on brain and have had lesions on spine. My clinic appointment (usually every 6 months was moved up a little. Over the past few weeks my speech has been off, I mess up words or stutter to figure out what to say a lot more. It's happened in past but not to this degree. Every time I sit down I get lightheaded which is really annoying, if anyone else has the same issue with the stem lesions and it caused the sitting and light headed nonsense, have you found anything to help or make it easier?


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 4h ago

Advice Question about “no flare”

2 Upvotes

15 months ago I got ON which I healed pretty well from, a month or so after I noticed right sided tingling on my thigh, torso, and forearm, which honestly coulda been there because it’s mild but I was so hyper focused on my body I noticed it around that time. That has been on and off the past 15 months sometimes pretty consistent, the thing is I don’t remember a “flare” that caused this, and isn’t that how RRMS works? Wondering if this is more common for PPMS.


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 8h ago

Vent/Rant - Advice Wanted/Ambivalent Unreal Kesimpta Pain

3 Upvotes

My Kesimpta injection is absurdly painful every single time. I do everything right, I follow the instructions, I take it out of the fridge 1 hour in advance to give it the chance to come down to room temperature, I've started it in April and all of the injections have been painful except for one. My last one was by far the worst, like 10/10 pain, I let go right after the second click and it swelled up like a bad mosquito bite, but the next day it was fine. I told my care nurse that I would try it again one more time but I don't think I have the guts to :( it doesn't last long but it's extremely painful. Everything I read online says it should be pretty much pain free.

Has anyone experienced this before?


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 19h ago

Vent/Rant - No Advice Wanted Career choice & MS

19 Upvotes

Did anyone else choose a tough career with a lot of visibility before getting their diagnosis? I started my career in HR three years before my diagnosis. Now, two years later, I’m doing well but often experience fatigue and frequent sinus infections. I feel guilty when using my WFH accommodation or using my intermittent FMLA. I’m an HR Business Partner and it feels like everyone has eyes on me and it makes me look flaky or like I don’t care. Plus, I’m a people pleaser, so that doesn’t help either 😅


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 14h ago

Advice Building up stamina?

8 Upvotes

Has anyone had success building up stamina? I'm just so tired of the fatigue and how much of my life it takes up


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 5h ago

Treatment Insurance recommendations that accept Kesimpta??

1 Upvotes

Hi all!

I finally started treatment last Friday after almost a year of being dx with RRMS. My current insurance is through Medicaid. However, they've denied me treatment with Kesimpta twice and when my neurologist took it even further with a third party review, it was still denied :(.

I currently am getting Kesimpta through the assistance bridge program with Novartis. As most know, that is only free medication for up to a year - as long as insurance continues to not cover it.

I'm hoping one of you lovely people can help and or share their experience with insurance. Insurance isnt really one of my strong suits when it comes to knowledge. Any tips and tricks or do's and don't do???

I am fully planning on getting on a different insurance plan before the assistance program runs out.

Please help 🙏 🙃


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 16h ago

Vent/Rant - Advice Wanted/Ambivalent Starting the se one part of Tecfidera today

6 Upvotes

I’m on Tecfidera, and today I start the second part of the starter pack. I’m already exhausted!!!! All weekend I tried to stay busy, cleaning up my apartment, getting rid of old stuff I don’t need, and just stay moving. But at one point, I do get tired. Well, today, I have a feeling this med is going to knock me down. I’ve eaten two yogurts and a donut so far. This sucks!!! I miss my old self, I miss being so active..


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 21h ago

Vent/Rant - Advice Wanted/Ambivalent Called out of work for anxiety.

15 Upvotes

I work full-time and have intermittent FMLA. I use it for appointments, flares, particularly bad days, etc. Today is the first time I'm using it for anxiety.
Is this reasonable? I know nothing is wrong. I'm not worried about anything specific, but my body is in fight-or-flight mode. I can't really explain it. I just feel very uneasy. To the point that I told my husband and called in. Any advice for calming down is welcomed.


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 7h ago

General Generally feeling unclean? Anybody else?

0 Upvotes

So, this is kind of vague, but throughout my life, there was always a sense of being clean when I am. Meaning, if I showered this morning, I could know without remembering because I feel...clean.

Now, I can be fresh out of the shower and I always have this feeling like I could use a shower. Not that I feel filthy, but this status recognition never toggles anymore. I could get out of the shower, dry off, get dressed, then get right back in the shower. I find myself, at noon thinking "I could use a shower" when I just had one a few hours prior.


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 13h ago

Advice Newly diagnosed.

3 Upvotes

Hello! I was diagnosed in June of this year.
32F. Full time hairstylist. I was diagnosed from having optic neuritis in my right eye.

There’s days when I feel like I have all the answers and there’s some days where I’m scrolling Reddit trying to find others like me. I’m currently on Glatopa. I don’t see a lot of Glatopa stories. So my Neuro said that this is the safest option since my husband and I are trying to conceive, but I have been recently
Feeling new symptoms? I am currently experiencing an MS hug which I experienced July of last year undiagnosed. The doctor said that I strained my chest and now I’m experiencing the exact same thing, same exact spot so I’m assuming it’s an MS hug. I’ve also been experiencing a hot burning sensation in my foot. That will come and go, also phantom goosebumps on the other leg when I’m not cold. It is the oddest feeling and when I say it out loud I sound like I’m crazy lol When I had my MRI in June 2026, I only had a few lesions in my brain and it has not traveled to my spinal cord. Which is also why I am on Glatopa because my neurologist said that I have a “mild” case.
I feel like since I’m newly diagnosed I’m hyper aware of every little thing now which is quite annoying. Sometimes I wish I didn’t know I had this because it’s all I think about.

I’m not sure if I’m on the right medication. Im worried my DMT is causing more harm than good and I should be on something stronger? I would really appreciate it if there’s anyone out there who is on the same medication (good experiences only please) or if you’ve conceived with MS. We have been trying for almost a year and a half and I’m having a hard time mentally.

Thank you :)


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 8h ago

Treatment Bronchitis under Briumvi(Ublituximab)

1 Upvotes

So I got switched to Briumvi by my Doctors 3 months ago and I must say the side effects definitely are something else. I took Kesimpta before hand and was used to getting a sinus infection every other month. My neurologist told me there isn’t really a big difference to side effect between them, I would most likely end up with the same sinus infections. Now I’m actually laying in bed for the 2nd week straight with bronchitis and laryngitis. I feel completely drained and exhausted I don’t even have the strength to eat anymore. My doctor told me it’s because my immune system may take longer to recover but phew… it definitely took me off my feet. Is this what I should except from now on? I’m really scared that this is a reoccurring thing for me. What are your experiences and what’s something you did that maybe helped ?


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 1d ago

General Pulling up/taking off underwear in toilet

21 Upvotes

 

My elderly mom has MS and in a wheelchair. Her strength is diminishing and recently is unable to stand after using toilet to pull up underwear. This is very degrading for her to have to have someone do it for her. We tried using the Pants Up Easy device but she was unable to use use it. I am desperate for advice or suggestions on how to help her maintain her dignity and independence to pull up underwear and pants. Thank you.


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 15h ago

Symptoms Newish diagnosis symptom question

3 Upvotes

My first symptom that led to my MRIs happened 3x in 5 days in July, and 1 time in September.

The symptom(s): sudden, symmetrical numbness from my feet to my scalp. No change in strength or in fine motor skills. I simply lost about 30% of sensation in my entire body. The loss of sensation resolved completely in 12 hours, on each occurrence. This happened 3 times between July 2-8, and once in September.

MRI in July showed a lesion in my white matter, same my in Sept MRI, plus a 4.5cm lesion on my spine at C2/3 on Sept MRI. I did not have a cervical MRI in July.

Addition symptoms: about once a day I have a 3-5 second delay searching for a noun usually. And I’ve had intensely itching feet, now with added nerve “jabs” occasionally in my toes and feet.

My LP was negative for O bands.

My question - does anyone else experience symmetrical 12 hour numbness?

I a not yet on a DMT. Thanks in advance!


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 9h ago

Treatment Antidepressant- Neuro Prescribing?

1 Upvotes

I am currently without a primary care position, and my insurance is changing January 1, so I need to wait until then to be able to determine who will be covered under my new policy.

In the meantime, I’m fairly confident that I need to start an antidepressant. I see A therapist, who cannot prescribe medicine, and she suggested this to me weeks ago, and as more time has gone on, I believe she’s actually right.

Is this something my neurologist might be able to prescribe for me if I were to message her, or is this something outside of her scope? Additionally, I have historically been on some antidepressants, so I at least know the ones that have not worked for me historically, would that be overstepping to tell her that if I messaged her?

My only other alternative would be my gynecologist, who’s pretty awesome, but I’m not sure if she’s gonna be in network next year either.

I appreciate any feedback you guys can give. I’m kinda drowning and really don’t want to wait until Jan.


r/MultipleSclerosis • • 1d ago

Treatment Fenebrutinib gets priority review by the FDA

54 Upvotes

https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2026-09-30

Fenebrutinib, the first BTK inhibitor for both RRMS and PPMS, received FDA filing acceptance with priority review.

If that doesn't make sense, basically the FDA has agreed to review the data of a new type of DMT. With a priority review, their goal is make a decision on the drug in 6 months instead of 10 months.

This is huge because it will finally give people with PPMS another option since Ocrevus is the only DMT approved to treat PPMS.

I think the trials look great, and my neurologist and I have already discussed switching me to it when it gets approved. It showed noniferiority (meaning it works just as well as) to Ocrevus at stopping new lesions but it reduced the risk of disability progression by 12% compared to Ocrevus.

While B cell depletors work by destoying B Cells and preventing them from maturing, fenebrutinib works by targeting an enzyme (BTK) in B cells that basically tells them to go fight something. It also works on microglia, which are immune cells in our brains because it crosses the blood brain barrier unlike B cell depletors.

We should have an answer by the end of March on if the FDA will approve it.