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Njjack1 profile image
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I am a 54 married male with 6 kids and who has had an extremely active lifestyle. In my employment i am CEO of a large non- profit disability agency which typically requires 60 hours a week of decesion making and networking. In addition i love backpacking, golf fishing, sking camping, and etc. In Oct of 2016 i was diagnoused with MS and pit on Copaxone. My fatigue can be extreme. My cognition is becoming an issue along with many other symptoms. Trying to learn as much as i can and make good decisions for my family and my future.

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Njjack1
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22 Replies
kdali profile image
kdali

Welcome!

Royjr profile image
Royjr

Welcome, I think you cane to the right place

Juleigh21 profile image
Juleigh21

Welcome! I was forced to give up my teaching career last November due to fatigue and cognition issues. Still a little bitter about that. We just moved into a new home b/c stairs were such an issue. MS had certainly changed my life and my families. Not all bad though. I've met some amazing people since being diagnosed. It's noble to want to take care of your family but take care of yourself first!

WAshingtongirl profile image
WAshingtongirl

Njjack1 , like everyone else here, I'm sorry you have MS, but happy you found us. I don't know if you suspected you had MS for some time or if it was a sudden diagnosis, but either way it can be challenging, and certainly changes the course of your life (some bad, some not). Please feel free to ask whatever questions you may have. Vent when you want to. And you'll also find we're a bit crazy and like to laugh our way through some of those challenging times, too. A warm welcome to you!!

Morllyn profile image
Morllyn

Sorry about the diagnosis but welcome to the group.

jimeka profile image
jimeka

Njjack1 like you, I used to do all those things that you do, except golf, I did squash and racquetball . Sorry about your dx, ms robs us all of so much, but you will find that this forum is a place to be with ms. We share symptoms, information, we give updates on new medications and erash and kdali are full of useful information. We also like to laugh as well as vent, share hobbies, everything really. So welcome, blessings Jimeka 🦋 🌈 👋

kdali profile image
kdali in reply to jimeka

Ty! 😻

melack01 profile image
melack01

Welcome!

ssdw1958 profile image
ssdw1958

Welcome, one thing to say this a great place to find out what's happening with others. Keep moving on.

Have a great day 🙂

jennie62 profile image
jennie62

Welcome Njjack1 !

Happy you found us here. This sure is a great place to be when you need friends, shoulders to cry on and those who don't mind when you need to vent. We also have many here who love to laugh and that is the best way to feel better and get past the blues. Glad to know you're here and very sorry to hear about your dx of MS.

erash profile image
erash

Welcome Njjack1

Are you taking anything to aid you with the fatigue? Nuvigil helps me with both physical and mental energy.☕️☕️☕️

Jesmcd2 profile image
Jesmcd2CommunityAmbassador

Well I'm just going to wave from the sidelines. And say hi and welcome to the MSAA Community 😊 Njjack1

I'm also on Copaxon just as a lot of us are. So we can give you all kinds of hints and tricks.😄

Looking for information? Mymsaa.org has a ton of it.😊 The one thing I learned with MS is, everyday is different. You have great, good, bad and really bad days.😊 And it's hard to understand. Just hang in there.

Keep your family close! See about finding a support group in your area. And keep coming back here.😊 We love company!

Jes 🌠

Eleyne92 profile image
Eleyne92

Welcome, Njjack1

johnMSAA profile image
johnMSAAPartner

Another official welcome, Njjack1 ! So glad you shared your story and background here on My MSAA Community, and I'm sure you'll get many answers from others' stories on here as well.

As Jesmcd2 mentioned, if you ever need to talk to us about MSAA's programs and services available across the country, make sure to visit our site at mymsaa.org.

- John, MSAA

gatorman15 profile image
gatorman15

Welcome Njjack1.

greaterexp profile image
greaterexp

Njjack1 , here's another welcome from a fellow Copaxone user. Let us know how you are getting along. With the work you've done, you've demonstrated already that you are smart and able, so though there are many decisions to wade through, I'm sure you'll make good ones.

Njjack1 profile image
Njjack1 in reply to greaterexp

I started Copaxone in January 17. In February 17 I had my full MRI redone and there were additional lessons. Ugh. However the Neurologist suggest that that growth could have taken place between September 16 and January 17. She explained that the true test would be with September scans. So that's when I know if there has been a positive effect in stopping the spread. As far as the negative effects it has been some pain at the sight instances of heart palpitation and some breathing issues. There was on shot about two weeks ago that was frightening as within 10 seconds on the floor thinking I would die or be paralyzed. Electric like shocks running through out my body. heart flutters and gasping for breath. I though I got a bad batch or an EX had done something to me. I thought about screaming for help but almost could not het the words out. Then after 5 min it started to subside and in 15 minutes I was good. Told Doctor and have reported to copazone. .I am seeing a MS specialist in August t7 to get other recommendations. The one thing I have learned about MS is that it is unique for all of us and its constantly evolving and changing. Therefore copazone may be awful for some and have tremendous impacts for others. So what I have always believed with all disabilities might even be more true with MS. It need to be a very person centered approach to treatment, caregiving and carrying on as the individual with this thing known as MS. In MS case it seems more true as it is a constantly moving target.

Sukie427 profile image
Sukie427 in reply to Njjack1

I was on Copaxone for awhile, although it didn't help me, and I used to dread those injections. It felt as if I were injecting fire ants under my skin! The feelings that you describe are very similar to some I had when I accidentally shot it into a muscle. If you ever feel like that again, you might want to call their Shared Solutions nursing hotline and get some immediate help. Sukie427

Joc-42 profile image
Joc-42

Welcome nijack1. I also have been taking Copaxone since my diagnosis in 2011@ age 69. I also have a number of issues. Lately I have much more issues with cognitive function. Also, my eye doctor said I do not have worse vision as I was sure that I did, but stigmatism due to my MS. My blurred vIsion with reading is very bothersome. I very much much appreciate this community and relate to many that have posted. Keep up with us, so we can support you and others.

Daisuki51 profile image
Daisuki51

welcome Njjack1 I am sorry you had diagnosed with MS. I was diagnosed with MS back in 2003. I hope you'll find the good way to deal with your symptom and keep in touch!

Gjs333 profile image
Gjs333

One of my favorite sayings is "In all this manucia there's gotta be a pony somewhere!". Keep searching.

Among us, one of us has already experienced everything that MS has to offer. We're here to help and we're searching too. Many blessings.

Sukie427 profile image
Sukie427

Welcome to what I hope will be a good lifeline for you. We come from all walks of life, all places, all faiths, all educational and employment levels. The MonSter binds us all together. I was a very successful lawyer who spent my life in a courtroom until I lost my strength and lots of my cognition and could no longer multi-task. Very hard to let go of what had been my life, but I finally knew I had to, not only for my own sake but for the sake of my clients. Good luck to you, and because we come from all over the world, there is usually someone on line to lend a hand or a shoulder. Don't hesitate to use us!

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