Understanding Multiple Sclerosis

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis | Melissa Stauffer

@Cosmos_Moon #ThankfulThursday

1. I have met a couple Eagles players, a couple soap opera stars from a long time ago, and some actors from One Tree Hill! But recently I have not crossed paths with anyone famous.

2. In the future I am very thankful to have some time to focus on my writing. Feedback for my latest short read memoir “You Don‘t Look Sick” by Kristen Dutkiewicz so far has been great!

I‘m just very thankful to spread MS awareness.

MoonWitch94 Ohhh which Eagles players? That‘s my team! #flyeaglesfly 4y

KristenDuck I forgot to tag people! Sorry if you already played but how about @Eggs @wanderinglynn @CarolynM @LovesToRead 4y

KristenDuck @MoonWitch94 lol long time ago!! Most notably everyone would probably recognize Hank Baskett... he was actually super nice. 4y

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MoonWitch94 @KristenDuck 👍🏻🏈🦅 4y

wanderinglynn Thanks for the tag 😘 4y

Cosmos_Moon_River I‘ll be on the lookout for # 2. It sounds interesting! I really enjoy memoirs. 4y

Eggs Thanks for the tag ❣️ 4y

Revenge4bess Robert Guillame, Luke Perry, Henry Winkler, Alaina Reed, Gregory Hines, Paul Williams. John Corbett, Michael Constantine. They were all very nice. 4y

Revenge4bess I‘m thankful to have time to recover from my surgery. 4y

jb72 That‘s a good title. I don‘t look sick or disabled at first glance. I have a disease similar to MS. 4y

KristenDuck @jb72 I try to acknowledge anyone with invisible illnesses in my book. It‘s really hard to have to feel the need to “prove” you‘re sick just because you don‘t look it. 4y

CarolynM Thanks for the tag😘 4y

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KristenDuck

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis | Melissa Stauffer

I‘ll be honest : this is NOT a quote from the tagged book.

I was diagnosed with MS in 2014, have been on three different disease modifying treatments and experienced four separate relapses, three in just this past year!

In March I started a new IV infusion treatment, Ocrevus and it has done wonders.

But it was not always that easy.

Today was my first full infusion and I finally shared my book “You Don‘t Look Sick” by Kristen Dutkiewicz (me!)

KristenDuck Available on Amazon Kindle for Purchase or FREE with Kindle Unlimited! I hope to continue to spread awareness and maybe even help some of those loving with autoimmune diseases! 4y

AllisonM89 Invisible illnesses/diagnosis are not talked about nearly enough. Thank you for bringing awareness and sharing your experience ❤️ 4y

KristenDuck @AllisonM89 Exactly! It is very difficult to “not look sick” and feel like you actually have to convince others to believe you when describing your symptoms. Also, specifically MS is truly not known about by enough people so I really hope to open some eyes. 4y

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Andrew65 You are doing a wonderful thing here! 😍 4y

Kimberlone My mom was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson‘s a few years ago when she was still in her early 50s. It‘s been a tough road for her, especially after almost a decade of misdiagnoses (including MS briefly). For the most part she appears healthy and is very fit and active for her age, which masks her symptoms to others, but I know the silent pain and motor issues she deals with. Thanks for bringing more awareness! (edited) 4y

KristenDuck @Andrew65 you are too sweet for saying this!! Thank you! 4y

KristenDuck @Kimberlone thank you for sharing your personal story about your mom. I truly wish both of you the very best in the future! 4y

Megabooks Thank you for sharing!! I‘m glad your new treatment is working. I also have a couple of invisible illnesses that I‘m working to find the root cause of. I was in a car accident at 17 and have had 16 major surgeries since. I look fine, but I don‘t feel fine. I also have two digestive ailments and have not found relief yet. I think the more we share our stories, the better understanding we can get. I hope you continue to improve!!! 💕💕 4y

KristenDuck @Megabooks I found writing this book very cathartic and really hope I can help touch some people who live in the world of invisible illnesses 4y

CarolynM Glad you have found a treatment that helps. It's great that you have been able to use your experiences to bring some attention to the difficulties of living with invisible illness. I've known a few people with these kinds of issues and I know how badly they can be treated by the unaware. All the best with the book. 4y

KristenDuck @CarolynM thanks so much for your positive words! 4y

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KristenDuck

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis | Melissa Stauffer

Today was my fifth year doing Walk MS for the National MS Society, and it was the first year it rained. I have the best team, they supported me in the 3 mile rain walk and never even showed signs of quitting!

I am blessed to be on a medication that is helping me, to have a loving boyfriend and family behind me, and to still have the energy to run an average of 20 miles per week.

I‘d be more than happy to answer any questions related to MS.

Lynnsoprano Wow! So happy that you have great support and that your health is obviously well managed. We have a good friend with MS who is in not nearly as great shape as you, but he is the most positive person I know. I think you‘re a close second 😘 6y

KristenDuck @Lynnsoprano thanks for those kind words. Your friend is in my thoughts! 6y

BookwormM Well done you great cause to raise money and awareness for. What medication are you on? 6y

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KristenDuck @BookwormM I am currently taking Gilenya. Have been on this medication for 2+ years and no side effects. 6y

BookwormM That is good. Is MS an autoimmune disease? I have Ankylosing Spondylitis which is an autoimmune disease and all my medication is immune suppressing. Just wondering if you have the same nature of treatment but one that works on nerves. 6y

KristenDuck @BookwormM Yes. MS is considered autoimmune because my immune system is basically attacking itself. My medication works to shut down my immune system to stop future damage. 6y

BookwormM Same with me I wish we knew why our immune systems go haywire. I am glad your treatment is working and that you are part of Litsy I would say I like connecting with fellow spoonies but that sounds wrong as I wish we were all healthy 6y

BookwormM PS running 20 miles a week you are my hero 👍💕💕 6y

KristenDuck @BookwormM one day I have faith there will be cures. Never give up hope. Thank you. (edited) 6y

jb72 Congrats on your walk! That‘s awesome. I have CMT (Charcot Marie Tooth). Unfortunately I cannot run at all, but I am grateful I can still walk. 6y

KristenDuck @jb72 all about staying positive. I always say - I might not be fast, but I‘m always trying. 6y

scowler1 Thanks for doing the walk, raising money and awareness. I'm not fit enough to do it myself but my family and friends do it every year. 6y

KristenDuck @scowler1 that‘s so supportive of them! 6y

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