Your Opinion Does Count!

 No this isn't a political ad.  It is a new commentary, this time on knowing your own MS.  I have discovered, in my experience and by reading about other experiences, that those of us with MS have as varied lives as anyone else. Our personal MS is not exactly like any other persons MS. Sometimes you might go to the doctor, and the doctor will tell you what is and is not MS related. You might feel to shy or too overwhelmed to contradict the so-called experts. Now I've got to admit that when I went to my very first neurologist, everyone told me he was the best MS neurologist I could get. He also had a lousy bedside manner, and rarely recognized my needs, even when I tried to tell him about my needs. I finally left that neurologist and got a new neurologist. This one actually listens to me, and takes my account of my experiences to heart.

I guess what I'm saying here is that it is very important to have a neurologist you could talk to. I also have a good primary physician and a great chiropractor, all of whom helped me get my SSDI.  All of them are very involved in my medical life, I guess I could say. This reminds me, I told one of them I would write her a little note to tell her how I'm doing because she was too busy the day I saw her! At any rate, I want everyone to know that your opinion counts. The doctors will not continue to learn about MS if we do not teach them about our experiences.

I know there are people out there who choose not to reveal their diagnosis. That is a very personal choice, especially in the workplace. I myself have always been open about my diagnosis. As a matter of fact I was working in a family owned business when I had my optic neuritis and was ultimately diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Taking the time off of work to get different tests done, I felt it natural to tell them, my employers, what was going on. They are good people and he had become a bit like family to me, so I was very fortunate to be where I was.

At any rate what I really want to express is that the more we talk about our MS, whether it is only to our doctors or to everyone we possibly can just to raise awareness, our opinions and our experiences count.

Just remember,

You count!