Multiple sclerosis (MS) is not an easy disease to manage. The complexity and unpredictability of this disease, which affects the body’s immune system but also targets the central nervous system (CNS), makes it difficult for individuals with MS to live life “normally.” If you’ve recently watched a close friend or relative go through the process of being diagnosed with MS, you probably know already that the disease can take its toll on loved ones, too.
Simply being present and offering support when it’s needed can be the most powerful way of helping a loved one cope with MS. Here are a few other tips about what to expect during and after the diagnosis:
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The process of being diagnosed with MS is neither short nor simple, as you may already know. Because there isn’t one specific test to diagnose MS, doctors typically make the diagnosis by ruling out all other possibilities; this can take a very long time. It’s easy to become frustrated when there seem to be no clear answers.
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Identifying the symptoms of an MS relapse can help your loved one gain a sense of control over this disease. Relapse symptoms often follow the same patterns and many MS patients are able to identify when a relapse is beginning. It’s possible to miss some signs, though, and this is where an extra set of eyes can come in handy!
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If you are the primary caregiver for someone who is diagnosed with MS, it’s completely normal to feel angry, frustrated, scared, and exhausted. Even though you aren’t the person who has the disease, caring for another person with MS can feel overwhelming and exhausting at times.
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It is essential to remember that MS can’t be completely controlled — at least, not at this point in time. No matter how much support and care you provide, your loved one is still going to have flare-ups and he/she is still going to feel pretty lousy on some days; this is in no way a reflection of your caregiving.
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An MS diagnosis can be scary when you look at the possibilities of what could happen years into the future. Try to keep two things in mind: First, there is a lot of research happening right now. Even though there isn’t a cure for MS now, the medical community is learning more and more each day about how to treat and manage this disease. And secondly, no one is expecting you to take things more than one day at a time!
Here at Bankers Fidelity, we believe that it’s important to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis and to provide as much support as possible to this community. We believe it’s our job to go beyond offering short term care insurance to our customers; we want to provide you with the resources you need to live a long and healthy life. If you have any tips on how to help a loved one cope with MS, we want to hear them!
