late onset of MS

[kcobb2]

Hi, I was recently diagnosed with MS at the age of 54. I read a lot about late onset of getting MS and wondering if there are folks out there that got diagnosed around this age and wondering how their journey has been?

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Hi kcobb2 Welcome!

I was 49 when I was dxed, and now well I'm older 😂 Everyone's MS is different, so you're journey is going to be different than anyone else's! Doesn't mean we can't compare notes tho! ☺️

What kind of MS do you have? Do you have a good MS Neuro?

🤗💕🌠

[mrsmike]

Welcome to the group! I was diagnosed in 2013 at 55, with SPMS but I've recently graduated to PPMS. The road has been hard but everyone is different. Good luck and looking forward to hearing from you.

[falalalala]

I was in my mid 40's but I was experiencing little things in my 30s.

[jimeka]

Hi and welcome. I was dx at 54, but they said I had probably had it since my late 20’s . I am now 66, I was dx withPPMS, no one has the same journey. We all share similarities, mainly fatigue, mobility issue and cognitive issues, one of the main things is not to let ms get you down, and enjoy a good laugh, find something to smile about every day, blessings Jimeka 😊

[Mollyabigail]

Hello and welcome, kcobb2! I was diagnosed at 60, about 19 months ago. It hit me like a ton of bricks, but I am still working full time, and making the most of it. Our journeys are all different. I always recommend watching some of Dr. Aaron Boster's YouTube videos. Bless his heart, he taught me more about MS than my neuro 'ever' will.

You are going to love this group! Glad you are here!

[MarkUpnorth]

I was diagnosed in the hospital on my 39th bday, in a sterile room with a roommate with a clean sheet covering his split open chest so they could irrigate the infected cavity after multiple bypass surgery. So if that wasn't a dramatic start? Then comes the real fun. I'm in my mid 60's now, and the stories of m.s. stuff I can tell you. Like working having to been driven to my estimates because the whole world to me was like an old tube TV (pre-transistor days) where the vertical hold would go out and the screen image would scroll nonstop. That was my whole world to me. Annoying, nauseous, but only a relapse. Just one of countless others over the years.2 words of wisdom. NEVER GIVE UP, AND from going so deep into brain fog for years, WATCH WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR MOUTH! Look up Dr. Terry Whals, (books at the library, on-line) for more information. My diet started living off of juiced veggies and fruits. Now I go by mostly fruits and veggies with small amounts of lean meats, fish, seafood...BUT AVOID THE PROCESSED FOODS ! I think of them as poison.

I'm doing well. Still have M.S., but haven't had a relapse in 6+ years. My cane is mounted on a wall, andI try to get my 10,000 steps everyday. No it'sno all good. On no meds. Okay, had a week of steroid cream for a contact dermatitis rash recently, but it's been years off all drugs, and my Doctors are saying, all's good. My Neuro, I had several over the years, sometimes concurrently, say that I'm likely over any more relapses. Some m.s. gifts I was told would never get better are! So check into the healthy eating thing. Skip as much of the M.S. PIA's as you can. Change your life starting with what you eat! No I don't mean get the chicken sandwich in lieu of the Big Mac.

Tonite, I made a full plate spring mix salad

with pitted ans halved cherries, blueberries, and crumbled queso fresco.

Grilled eggplant slices with sliced tomatoes, EVOO, and a bit of mixed shredded cheese. And finally, ancient peppers stuffed with a rice blend (just various rice types, fresh parsley, chives, and a sprinkle if cheese. Seems like I'm on a cheese kick today?

[Brindisi1 in reply to MarkUpnorth]

You can cook for me

[erash]

Diagnosed @ age 47 but first symptoms actually @ age 28. Mild symptoms til age 59…just progressive layering on of symptoms affecting many areas of my life BUT accept, adapt, achieve 👊

[goatgal]

I win! I was diagnosed at 70, though I suspect the damage began at least 20 years before any doctor took my complaints seriously. In the 12 years since diagnosis, I've not had a relapse but have experienced a long slow loss of function in many areas.

[StacyHayward]

Diagnosed at 21. First symptoms about 14. Turning 44 next month and doing pretty good. Glad I have a great doctor and great meds to keep me going!

[Cutefreckles72]

Hello, welcome to the group. I started my journey with PPMS at the age of 46 and it has been a rollercoaster ride but stay encouraged. Everyone is different and MS treats everyone differently. Find a good neuro dr., do some research and hang in there. 👍

[hairbrain4]

Welcome to the group. I was diagnosed on my 50th birthday! That was back in 2005. I had to do some lifestyle adjusting and retire earlier than I had originally planned. But I decided to be grateful that my problems weren't from a malignant brain tumor. I am thankful that I wake up every day. I still have use of my legs & arms with some pain & muscle spasms but I have been able to handle it through exercise & diet which is very important. I am heat sensitive so I use cooling devices such as cooling vests, neck & wrist bands. My daily attitude is "Every day is a new adventure". This is a great site if you are looking for understanding, a good laugh now & then, information or if you just need to vent.

[jorrell]

About the same age, symptoms started in 2000, new Dr. found the cause MS in 2013ish. In typical doctor speak, MS shows up 7 to 12 year before you are diagnosed. Stay on the DMTs, it helps prevent relapses. In my case I haven't had a relapse for over 10 years, but I will say that the symptoms I have get worse very very slowly. I was diagnosed in my 40's and still have RRMS... depending on which Dr. I talk to, the maybe is SPMS. In any case, welcome aboard!

[mrsmike9]

I was diagnosed at 55 (63 now) and things haven't been horrible. I make sure I know where I'm walking (so far have only broken my wrist) and TRY to listen to my body. (Still working on that one.) I used to be pretty active and just can't anymore. I do what I can. I have discovered an art that I do pretty well and can "escape" while working on it. I believe that is the best thing that has come out of it and something I would encourage everyone to find. Find something that gives you pleasure, and perhaps even a feeling of worth.

[Tazmanian]

I was 46 when I was diagnosed but thinking back I probably had it for at least 20 years before that

[Robsmom]

Hello, I was diagnosed at age 54 also. I'm now 67 and my MS has been slowly progressing. I've probably had it since my teens but never diagnosed. I always tell people I feel blessed because it could have been so much worse. I currently have to use a rollator when walking and walking is getting very difficult. But, I exercise, do yoga and pilates through my MS Wellness Program because you really do have to fight MS and not let it just take over.

[bavery207]

I was dx at age 65 (7yrs. ago). I now use a rollater much of the time, but I still get around!

[eharoot]

was dx at 50. am now 82. had 25-30 yrs of good involvement with senior chorus and exercise classes (very important especially water exercises). Again, we're all different, but if you can, be your own best advocate and get involved