G’day again family. I guess I got up far too early and did not go for a walk so “YOU” get more words of experience. Trust me on this I have had lots of experience, mostly thru doing really dumb things, but I am a bloke and “YOU” should expect that. So perhaps “YOU’ do not make the same mistakes, here goes.
Wear protective underwear. “YOU” may not need them at first but eventually “YOU” will. I found at first a longer shirt, and black trousers helped for the awkward bladder moments. Also, double-lined male underwear helped to hide any leakage. I understand that my ms sisters are better able to have more experience with this. Eventually, I needed and use DEPENDS for bowel issues. First time your bowel does its own thing “YOU” will know to start wearing them. They are easy to buy, Amazon, so no excuses. A lot of very unexpected incidents will happen over your years, be prepared for them. Never to need to use something but having it ready is far easier than needing it and not having it. Be prepared. At first, I used single underwear. I very quickly learned that double and darer shorts wear a good thing. After a number of years, I graduated to male protective underwear. I progressed, things changed. A lot like ms, an ever-moving ever-changing disease. I do not wear Depends around the house. I know where my toilet (bathroom) is and if I wet myself I am at home, who cares. But leave the house, even to go to the mailbox down the street they are on. I used to draw pictures on them, but one or two incidents in public and I stopped. Not everybody has my sense of humor. Face your reality, “YOU” may really need them one day, prepare yourself for the possibility.
Take Disease-Modifying Therapy (DMT). I have said it often but it is something that “YOU” need to do. It is not a cure, NOTHING IS, but it is the best thing available today, and mostly proven and safe. Taking it will slow down your disease progression. “YOU” will still get worse but at a slower rate. Perhaps “YOU” get two attacks a year instead of three, that is a success and a good thing. She who must be obeyed has not had an attack in years, and I have had a very gradual decline. I went on my DMT after a few months of diagnosis (DX) and she went on hers quickly as well. Time is of the essence, start sooner rather than later. Do not wait and see. I was terrified of injection but I sucked it up and did it, and so should “YOU”. Look at people from 20+ years ago, they had no DMT, do “YOU want to be like them or might “YO” prefer to be on your feet in 20 years. Wobbly but able to mostly do for yourself.
As always your choice e and your decision.
Royce (your ms writer)
Be smart, make your move towards being strong and self-sufficient in your future, not a burden to yourself or others. This may be real or perceived
