Combat Stress – Relaxation Strategies from MSAA

Posted on August 12, 2020 by MSAA

Dealing with stress is often a challenge, even when we are not living through a pandemic. While stress is a natural reaction for the body to feel, too much stress for too long can cause harm. For anyone with a chronic health concern, such as multiple sclerosis, sustained stress can lead to worsening MS symptoms. Whether needing relief from emotional or physical stress, finding ways to relax is an important part of any wellness care. MSAA offers a number of resources to help combat stress. Here are a few of our most recent programs highlighting wellness: Continue reading →

Out of Sight – Not So Out of Mind

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Selena Fisher

Visual disorders are among the list of hidden symptoms associated with MS. Challenges with eyesight are typically considered early symptoms of MS. You could walk by a stranger on the street, and you would never know that they have MS. Hidden symptoms of MS are just that, hidden from the world. However, they are very real experiences for MS warriors. Out of sight is not always so out of mind for MS fighters. Continue reading →

Abracadabra

Posted on July 27, 2020 by MSAA

By Doug Ankerman

Nothing up my sleeve! It is magic I tell ya!

Magic how a disease like multiple sclerosis works from the inside-out. Hiding your symptoms from those around you.

MS uses deceptive tricks to mask your illness, prompting some to ask the dreaded, cringe-worthy question… Continue reading →

What the MS?

Posted on July 24, 2020 by MSAA

By Scott Cremeans

One of the most significant issues with multiple sclerosis is the many hidden symptoms that lead to accusatory statements. The invisibility of these MS issues means that many times others do not see, perceive, or believe that they even exist. The two primarily posed comments are you do not look sick; you must be fine or, I know someone with MS, and they do not complain like that. These statements drive MSers insane and can cause us to stand our ground in defense vociferously.

I have been a member of several local MS support groups and currently Continue reading →

Hidden and Invisible Problems with Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on July 20, 2020 by MSAA

By Penelope Conway

How do you explain the hidden and invisible problems with multiple sclerosis?

Every week when the nurse comes to my house I’m always asked the same questions. Am I experiencing any pain? What kind of pain? How does it feel? How’s my appetite? Bowel movements? Swallowing troubles? Breathing? It takes the entire visit to explain everything. Pain shifts moment by moment from Continue reading →

Shh, I have a secret

Posted on July 17, 2020 by MSAA

By Lauren Kovacs

Those secret symptoms wreak havoc and party hard in our body. They high five each other as they go to torture some part of us. I swear there is some kind of party in my left arm involving fire.

It is not a calm “kumbaya” bonfire. It is more like a concert with pyrotechnics and lava. Every night the burning visits me, like a ghost. It sneaks up on me. It lights my Continue reading →

Knowledge of MS Progression is its Own Invisible Symptom

Posted on July 15, 2020 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

Many health conditions and symptoms are never seen by others and remain unknown to the people in our lives until we talk about them. Even then, what our friends and family members see and what we tell them don’t match. The disparity between how we look and how we feel makes it hard for others to believe it’s as much of an issue as we say.

Some of my invisible symptoms are widely shared by many people with multiple sclerosis. There’s fatigue, Continue reading →

Some things aren’t easy to see

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Angel Blair

When it comes to MS symptoms, there is a real variety in what individuals experience. This is one of the reasons why making an MS diagnosis is so challenging. Its symptoms can look different from person to person. No two people have the same MS disease course. This can make it hard to understand exactly how the condition impacts someone. Its uniqueness acts as a detriment at times when trying to explain or educate others about MS. It is assumed that symptoms will look the same and that outcomes will match, but this is not always the case.

One of the most common symptoms of MS can be cognitive challenges. This wasn’t always Continue reading →

Invisible but VERY Real: Heat Intolerance

Posted on July 10, 2020 by MSAA

By Alene Brennan

It’s been four years since I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS.

I remember the doctor asking me if I had a sensitivity to heat in that appointment.

YES!

Finally, I got validation for Continue reading →

Summer: Once My Favorite Time of Year, But Not So Much Anymore

Posted on June 24, 2020 by MSAA

By Penelope Conway

What can I say? Summertime is hot, muggy, sweltering, and sweaty. It used to be my favorite time of year for concerts in the park, trips to Six Flags to enjoy water rides and death defying trams that sent you into another universe altogether, cookouts, vacations, open windows with cool breezes blowing, family time, and relaxing by the pool. Continue reading →

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