Disability

I'm SO glad your illness is finally being treated seriously, LFR. With an MS diagnosis, you can apply for (and get) Social Security Disability, which can make all the difference for you. If treatment works as well as it should, you can even try working part time while on SSDI without losing it if you have a setback. In any case, it helps to start building a file with them as soon as possible.

My brother has had MS since 1976, when he was 26. He had two very serious flareups, where the entire right side of his body was paralyzed in '76-'77, but then experienced almost complete remission. He went onto get his degree as a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine, and practice this hands-on profession for almost 40 years. He retired at age 67 two years ago.

He had a new flare-up a year or so that has left his legs weak, so after 43 years with MS, he finally has had to use a walker or two canes to get around. Of course every case is different, but there's been a lot of progress with the disease in the meantime.

Best of luck, LFR. It sounds like your luck is finally on the upswing, after several absolutely terrifying months.