Hi,

My name is Charlene. I've lived with MS for 13 years. I'm sorry I
won't be of any help with Copaxone. I don't take any drugs. I treat
my MS with vitamins, oils and a healthy diet. I have
relapse/remitting MS and it has been very manageable for me. I also
have a brother and my mother that have MS, along with a couple
uncles. It runs rampant in my family. I believe there is a genetic
connection but not as influential as an environmental influence on
this disease. I strongly believe in doing as much as I can through
natural means, and not only because I don't have insurance. If you
would like to know more about what I do, send me an email.

I remember what it was like to get my diagnosis. My mom had been
diagnosed with it a month before me. My brother was diagnosed a
couple months after me. I was lucky to have a support system: a mom
and brother who understood. We weren't particularly close, but it
was a comfort to know someone understood. I was sad for a while,
realizing that there were limitations to what I could do physically.
But I also had a distraction... I was getting married. It helped to
get my mind off it and focus on something else. It took me a while
to settle into the disease and learn my limitations. You will learn
your limitations too, but that doesn't mean your life is over. I
have a wonderful husband who helps whenever I have problems, and 5
beautiful children. (I ignored the doctor who told me to have 1
maybe 2 kids and I'm glad I didn't listen.) My life didn't stop with
the diagnosis, it just took a different road. Everyone copes
differently with bad news. Take some time to mourn, but don't dwell
on it. Find the positive. Even now when I have the occasional
exacerbation, I take time to cry and mourn the loss of my physical
strength, then I get up and make dinner for my family. Life goes
on. Don't stop because you can't feel your hands or feet. That
doesn't matter, it's who you are inside that counts.

I hope this helps a little. It's going to take time to find your
groove, but you will learn how to live with it. I don't know how bad
your case is, but I truly wish the best for you. Good luck.