Welcome.
This site was created with both people diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and the people who care for them in mind. The hope is to provide useful information as well as a place to share information and experiences in living with Multiple Sclerosis.
Here you will find resources for the person who is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis as well as for their caregivers. The information is gathered from many sources and brought together here to one convenient location for easy access.
About Me
In 1996 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. For a year prior I had been suffering with vertigo and the doctors could not determine the cause. Every possible scenario was going through my head. I was expecting the worst possible outcome. Finally after an MRI it was determined that I had Multiple Sclerosis. When the doctor called with the results I was actually elated. I was expecting to be told I had an inoperable brain tumor or something just as bad. I had heard of Multiple Sclerosis but did not know a lot about it. I did know there was no cure for it but I also knew it was not terminal. That was good enough for me.
I set out to find out all I could about Multiple Sclerosis. I wanted to know as much about the disease, other symptoms, and treatment as possible. This turned out to be a daunting task. My experiences have led me to create this web site in the hope of helping others that find themselves in the same position that I was in. I sincerely hope that you find the information and resources here useful. If you have any comments or suggestions for content, please feel free to contact me.
Definition
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system characterized by the destruction of the myelin sheath surrounding neurons, resulting in the formation of "plaques." MS is a progressive and usually fluctuating disease with exacerbations (patients feeling worse) and remissions (patients feeling better) over many decades. Eventually, in most patients, remissions do not reach baseline levels and permanent disability and sometimes death occurs. The cause of MS is unknown. The most widely held hypothesis is that MS occurs in patients with a genetic susceptibility and that some environmental factors "trigger" exacerbations. MS is 3 times more common in women than men, with diagnosis usually made as young adults.