The "Three Minute Pee"!

So I am sitting here, curled up on the sofa with yet another UTI. I'm so sore and feeling utterly sorry for myself! About two weeks before I was diagnosed with MS, I had my first ever UTI that wouldn't shift with anti- biotics. I have had many since! MS can encourage UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections), due to the positioning of certain lesions on the brain. I think that the culprit lesions are around the spinal cord area. My Copaxone nurse told me the reason- the lesion is preventing my brain from telling my bladder (correctly) that it is empty. When you go to the loo, and fail to get rid of all the urine, it starts to breed bacteria and can result in an infection.

I think most of us drinkers are familiar with "breaking the seal" on a night out. You can go to the pub, and spend two hours happily drinking... then you go to the toilet (and break the seal), and then every 10- 15 minutes, you need to go to the toilet for the rest of the night. A very good friend of mine called Joy, (a perfect name for her, as she is truly joyous) told me about the concept of the "three minute pee", where when you go to the loo on a night out, you need to stay on the loo for three whole minutes. You will pass urine when you first go to the loo, but your bladder will nearly always expel more urine the longer you sit there, therefore allowing you a longer break before you need the loo again. This leads to more drinking and dancing time!!!

I found this concept to be truly revolutionary! I would always do it on a night out, but never realised how useful it may be to my MS. So from now on, I shall be occupying the bathroom for three minutes at a time... I'm sure the time spent on the loo will prevent time being spent in the doctor's surgery!

Cog Fog at it's best!!!

Yesterday, this was less than hilarious, but I can now look back and see how ridiculous the whole thing was!

The past few days, I have been very "foggy", essentially, my brain is not functioning at normal speed. It is a terrible symptom of MS, and it seemed to appear as the weakness in my arm and leg flared up too.

I was so sleepy all day yesterday, I got out of bed at 11am and napped twice before 5pm, but I had agreed to spend the weekend minding an 11 year old. When I arrived at the kid's house, I didn't take my bags from the car as my foot- drop was in full swing. The eleven year old decided he wanted chips for dinner, so I drove to the local chipper, five mins down the road. I used to work in the chipper, so spent the few minutes waiting for my order chatting away to old colleagues, not a care in the world!

When I got out of the chip shop, I noticed my car's passenger window was fully open. I had never even noticed that it was open. I thought nothing of it, as I was gone less than ten mins, and could see my car from the window of the chipper. Then it hit me.... my handbag was missing from the passenger seat. Panic struck, and I thought of all the bits in my handbag; my new purse, keys, money, bank cards, etc. Luckily my phone was in my pocket! I thought, "I'll get back to the house and phone the Gardai". So I was pissed off at myself, driving up the road, and glanced to the back seat of the car. MY LAPTOP WAS GONE!!!!  It is a brand new laptop, and was a gift from my brother. I immediately pulled over, and was shaking as I phoned the Gardai from the roadside. I didn't know whether to cry or vomit, I was so shaken. The Garda was so nice, and was trying his best to calm me down. I explained to him that I forgot to close my window but was gone a matter of minutes. As I was telling him the story, I put my hand to the back of the driver's seat, and felt my bloody laptop bag- it had fallen under my seat! I immediately told the Garda, and told him that I would get back to the house and phone him regarding my stolen handbag. He agreed I should do this, along with reminding me to calm down. Walked into the house, so shocked and filled with adreneline, and there it was... my lovely bright orange handbag, sitting on the kitchen table!!!

I never felt so silly. My emotions were all over the place, I was chuffed that I hadn't lost my bag and laptop, but felt so stupid that I had left my window open. I also felt so embarrassed that I had phoned the Gardai in such a state. Of course, I phoned back to say all was well, and apologised for bothering him. He was so lovely... It probably gave him and his mates a laugh!!

I'm back!

Hi friends! I have been a bad blogger, but I'm back!!

I had no internet which made blogging impossible, but a Fairy Godbrother set me up with wi-fi so I intend on updating more regularly.

Lots has changed in the last year and a half. Although I have had no "relapse", per se, I have gotten a few more symptoms. The main one being foot drop in my right foot. I am intending a physiotherapist, who has said that my foot is fatigued! It is strange, as it works perfectly fine until I walk or drive for extended periods of time; pottering around my home is no problem but overuse of my foot makes it lazy. It's like my toes prefer being on the ground, no matter how hard I try to lift it! I have a dictus splint, which hooks onto laced up shoes to hold my foot in place. It helps, but it pinches quite a bit when I walk. I have started wearing it upside down, which helps a bit, but it still rubs against my skin a bit. I'm still experimenting with what works for me, but that seems to be the name of this MS game!

Anyway, I'm glad to be back, and I hope to chat with you all more regularly now :)

Donating my bits for MS research

I recently read about a woman who planned to donate her brain and spine when she died for the purpose of MS research and it got me thinking about doing the same.

I'd always planned on donating some of my organs after my death anyway. For some reason, the idea of donating my skin or my eyes always freaked me out! Logically, it shouldn't be any more different than donating my heart or my kidneys but it just makes me feel icky! The idea of my brain sitting in a jar somewhere also does not appeal to me but I would love to be a part of MS research.

Allowing for my scarry brain and spine to be used to find a cure for this disease makes me feel good, so I'm gonna get in contact with the Irish MS Society and enquire further about it!

Although I'm not planning on dying for quite some time.............

One Year On....

This day last year, I was admitted to the Neurology ward of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, as they tried to determine the reason for my weak hand. I never in a million years  thought that I would be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

The diagnosis was a big shock, but due to my ignorance, I wasn't THAT worried, and felt I could cope with anything.

The months following my diagnosis were very difficult, both physically and emotionally. I had to make a lot of changes in my life, regarding work and how I managed stress. I left my job, and began using new techniques to manage my stress. Then gradually, the physical symptoms eased off. The emotionally difficulties will always remain, but I think I have just become more equipped to deal with them. The spontaneity of the disease will always be difficult to deal with, as I like to be in charge of my life... but lets face it, who doesn't?! 

At this moment in time, I am healthy and free of relapse. I am constantly scared that I may wake up with another symptom, but that is just how life will be from now on. I don't let the fear run my life or prevent me from doing things- I think that's the only way to manage it. 

It's definitely been a tough year, but I have amazing family and friends and THEY are the reason I have survived it x 

My first relapse?

Argh! The MS seemed to be hiding for the last few months and I've been getting myself back to the person I used to be... but I think it's coming back :(

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a burning sensation on my upper thigh. It would last for a few minutes, and come on a few times every day. I went to the doctor last week and he gave me Capsaicin cream to alleviate the burning. Now the burning goes down from my thigh to my toes on my right leg. Don't get me wrong, it's not the worst experience ever but it's still a reminder of this disease.

A few days ago, I had a weird feeling in my right arm and hand (where it all began!). I have practiced the tests that the Neuro docs do (straightening my arms out and trying to hold them there). In the past, when my arm was weak, it would drop down out of my control. This time, my arms are staying up. So this seems to  be  a feeling as opposed to a physical symptom. I'm hoping it stays like that, but I have a horrible feeling in my stomach that this is gonna be my first relapse.

It's strange, as I felt, for the past while, that I was coping well with the idea of my life with MS. Now, I'm not so sure. I'm trying to prepare myself for this possible relapse, but is there really a way you can do that? Is there really a way to allow this disease to borrow the use of your limbs for a while? To make you feel so tired that you're actually too tired to sleep? To cause you discomfort through pins and needles and burning in your body? And the worst bit is not knowing when your body will be returned to you from the grips of the disease.  I'll just have to wait and see......

Summer!

I'm a big fan of the summer, and love the heat, but this summer is different. Irish summers are never really any different to any other season. It's usually rainy, breezy and dull with the occasional "warm" day. I'm warm ALL the time! Even when it's raining I don't bring a jacket out. I'm sticky and grumpy and sweaty!
It's mad how Vitamin D is supposed to be great for you, but the only way of doing that is to get out into the sunshine. It affects my eyes too! I feel like a wannabe celeb going around in my sunglasses all the time but if I don't, I can barely see.

Anyone any tips on how they cope in the Summer months?


I couldn't resist posting these photos up of our cats sunning themselves in the garden :)

Squid

Bear