Each month I want to highlight someone in the MS community who is doing amazing things for themselves and their MS diagnosis!

If you’d like to be interviewed and share your story, please email me at info@liss-ms.com!

Introducing Brittany!

When were you diagnosed with MS? What was it like for you? 

I was diagnosed in 2019. I had a migraine for 5 days with visual changes and double vision. I went to my eye doctor who found nothing wrong besides inflammation in my eyes with no cause. He strongly suggested and asked my GP to order a MRI for me. After the test my GP told me there was white matter in my brain, which looked like MS and referred me to a neurologist. It took months and additional tests for my neurologist to tell me that he was certain I have MS, and he then urged me to pick a medication to begin to prevent progression.

What did you think was going to be the hardest part of MS? What was actually the hardest?

I thought the hardest part of MS would be the relapses or giving myself shots as medication. They can be frustrating at times, but the hardest part is not knowing what may happen in the future.

Have you or are you currently taking any MS medications?

I’m currently taking 3x/week Copaxone.

What is the symptom you struggle the most with? 

Tingling arms/legs and fatigue are my most common symptoms.

Have you made any diet changes that has helped? 

For my diet, reducing sugar, limiting gluten, and increasing veggies has helped me the most.

Have you made any lifestyle changes that has helped? 

The best lifestyle change has been making workouts lower impact to lower stress reduce flare ups. I was having a lot of mini flare ups when my workouts were more intense.

Was your family/spouse/friends supportive of your decisions; if not did they change their minds afterwards? 

My family and friends have been supportive of my decision.

What is the most impactful thing you’ve done to help your MS symptoms? 

The most impactful thing to help my MS symptoms has been learning how to check in with my body and setting boundaries when needed. I’m always trying to work on this, but listening to what my body needs helps a ton.

If you could tell someone newly diagnosed one thing, what would you say? 

I would tell someone newly diagnosed that it will all be okay, and this isn’t the end of the world. I know that life as you knew it has changed, but this makes us stronger and better equipped to handle whatever life throws at us. Take care of yourself first.

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