I turned 40 last month which got me thinking
about aging with MS. How is it going to be different for me than my friends?
Everyone has to make adjustments as they get
older. But for people who have MS, adaptations to changing
abilities are often required at a younger age and may require more frequent
adjustments as the years go on.
But you don’t have to face this alone. It’s
important to allow yourself to seek and accept help. Some people refuse
assistance because they’re embarrassed or because they don’t want to impose. That’s
a mental hurdle we all need to get over.
It is also vital to keep up with your healthcare.
Not just with your neurologist or MS specialist but to address primary
care needs. Many patients do not see a primary care provider or a gynecologist
or other providers. All routine screenings have to be completed to prevent
other diseases and their complications.
Your future with MS is probably uncertain but you need to
prepare for progression. While it may be more comfortable to close your eyes
and hope it just goes away, you need to face it head on. Hope for the best but
prepare for the worst.
And, as I discuss in other posts, maintaining
social support and reducing social isolation is important for everyone, and
even more so for those with MS. Staying connected is key to a full life.
So, face the future with your eyes open, prepare
for future uncertainty and realize you will need to adjust and adapt, and keep
your friends close! It’s the best any of us can do.
