Receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis can be devastating initially but there are many ways to ensure your quality of life is sustainable and healthy. Working along with your health care provider, you can utilize many strategies to live without pain and stay independent.
For those dealing with the physical, mental, and emotional issues surrounding a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, it is important to maintain a positive attitude and follow the advice of your medical provider. Every person will have an individual experience dealing with MS and it is important for you to find the right therapies and medications that will work for you. MS is unpredictable and for some there will be no symptoms for many months or years after a diagnosis. Others may experience a more progressive path with MS that may require more intensive therapies and care.
Earning a living is very possible for those diagnosed with MS. Many individuals continue to work for many years after a diagnosis with proper therapies. However, some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis may place doubt on one’s ability to perform on the job safely and effectively. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of MS and being too tired on the job poses a hazard for everyone in the workforce including for the individual. Fatigue may cause you to miss work days on a regular basis.
Whether or not you feel you can continue to do your job will be a personal decision that will also depend on your doctor’s advice. However, there are many new treatment options available for MS patients that can help you stay on the job for much longer than you may have first anticipated after a diagnosis. If your case of MS is more severe and complex or progresses quickly, you may need to make the decision to leave to workforce and focus on your condition.
