What to expect

[Anissa1]

I was diagnosed two years ago, and I'm sixty four years old. No new lesions since I started Ocrovus infusion. What can I expect for progression of the disease, rapid due to age?

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

Welcome to this forum, Anissa1 . You have ‘ms’ and you are on a DMT, Ocrevus, that will hopefully manage your ‘ms’. No one can tell you how your ‘ms’ will progress, but with an understanding medical team, you will be able to navigate a positive path forward. You can go to mymsaa.org for more resources, and in the meantime, keep smiling.

[Anissa1 in reply to carolek572]

Thank you

[mrsmike9]

It is impossible to say how your MS will be. We all have different, but similar, stories. I am 63 and was diagnosed in 2014. Once I was on meds, mine has been pretty good.

Welcome to our family!

[Anissa1 in reply to mrsmike9]

Thank you

[kdali]

Welcome! Eh, no one knows, but I don't think it's all downhill after a certain birthday just because you have MS too. Ocrevus might help prevent brain shrinkage, and it's never too late to investigate lifestyle changes that could also help slow this. I would not recommend accepting a steady deterioration as "just how the disease goes" without several MD visits to confirm this.

[Mollyabigail]

I asked Dr. Aaron Boster that same question during one of his "ask me anything" M.S. videos on YouTube. I was diagnosed at 60. His reply was to not focus on progression, but rather focus on being "5 for 5" (his words).

Don't smoke.

Exercise as part of your lifestyle.

Take a disease modifying therapy (DMT)

Supplement vitamin D3 and avoid processed or fast food.

Practice 5-10 minutes a day of mindfulness. (more of that on YouTube).

Here's a link to watch if time permits. youtube.com/watch?v=Ny6pm5Q...(Not working as expected?)

Hang in there! I am still working full time, by the grace of God. Not ready to curl up and die just yet! Blessings to you from sunny, sweltering Mississippi!

[Anissa1 in reply to Mollyabigail]

Most enlightening, I've never heard of DMT, I will look it up. Too early to curl up, see Sinatra's "That's Life". Thank you.

[Mollyabigail in reply to Anissa1]

If you are on Ocrevus, that's your DMT. The daily exercising is my challenge. Who has time for that?! I looked up "That's Life." Love it!!

[Tazmanian]

Every ones MS is different good luck and keep a positive attitude

[Anissa1 in reply to Tazmanian]

Thank you

[NorasMom]

I wasn’t diagnosed until a little under 3 years ago, but I’ve had obvious symptoms for well over 40 years. I’m now 57. I did have to make some adaptations to my life over the years, but I worked full time until 3 ½ years ago.

Aside from the first two half-doses of Ocrevus (which didn’t go well), I’ve never been on any DMT’s and just treated my symptoms as best I could on my own. For my last relapse, this past December, I had my first-ever steroid infusion, and it stopped everything in its tracks.

I have now been on SSDI for a little more than 2 years ago because of the really bad relapse I had when I was diagnosed. It messed me up to the point that I couldn’t work anymore. I still live alone and look after myself. I voluntarily gave up driving, but I can still do it if I have to. I use an automatic riding mower for my yard, and I attach my large dog to steel cables so that he can run without me having to tag along.

Like the others have said, we’re all different, and there’s no way of knowing how your MS will progress. I would suggest just taking one day at a time and working within your abilities on that day. Don’t fight the bad times; just try to ride them out.

[Amore55]

Hello! Welcome. I’m 61. I have had ms for years and I have been very sick in the past with resulting symptoms. But I’m now in full “remission “. I have never felt better since my diagnosis. I can basically do what I want to do. I’m active and ride my bike, which was just a dream years ago. I have been off dmt’s (disease modifying treatments) since 2016. I don’t recommend this to everyone, but for me it was the correct choice. I took the needed medicine my doctor recommended for a long time. I hope you feel welcome here and enjoy this great “family “.