It started with a numbing sensation down my left leg, then I noticed balance issues, then I noticed a little difficulty with walking. Smaller stuff kept coming, but I've always had a reason to justify what was going on with me physically.
I had to Google what MS was
When a friend told me she was diagnosed with MS, I wasn't sure what MS stood for so I Google'd 'MS.' On the first page I opened, halfway down, it said, 'Early Signs of MS.' On the list were 'balance,' 'difficulty walking,' 'numbing sensations in the hands and feet,' and 'dizziness or vertigo.' Hmm, I had 5 symptoms listed. I made an appointment with an MS specialist and found that I had MS. Upon being recommended a second opinion, I brought an old brain MRI from 4 years prior.
I had had MS for a while it seems
As it turned out, I had been living with MS since, but my MS had never presented symptoms until now. My neurologist told me I can still live a productive life and help keep my MS from progressing: 1) find an MS therapy that works, 2) manage stress, and 3) exercise. And so I did. I turned to cycling as a form of exercise, which is also my stress relief. Cycling has helped my balance and walks and has helped my fitness and physical well-being. Coupled with an MS therapy that has been working since my diagnosis, my MS has remained stable since 2012.
Remaining stable and active
Today, I am still active on the bike, and work diligently on my balance in my home gym, and have not missed a medication dose. I am still learning about my MS and how to 'bob and weave' when symptoms hit, but I remain stable and active!
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