Teen with MS
hi I’m new here. I’ve joined before but never really had the courage to post or talk much. I’m an 18 year old female and I was diagnosed with MS at 15.
My diagnosis was honestly traumatic. I was partially paralyzed, confused all the time, and felt like I suddenly became “stupid.” I was terrified of treatment, so for the past few years I kind of ignored everything and tried to live somewhat normally.
Recently though, my right hand started falling asleep/numbing again, so I went to urgent care and ended up getting the MRI I was dreading( gosh I hate that stupid machine ) They found new active lesions. Since I’m starting college soon, I decided I need to finally take this seriously and I’m starting Ocrevus.
But ever since the hospital visit I’ve felt more depressed than ever. I have almost no energy. It’s honestly humbling because at 15 I used to wake up at 4am to work out, and now if I work out once I feel like I need a week to recover.
I’ve also developed this really unhealthy coping habit where if I have a bad day (which feels like almost every day lately), I “reward” myself with my favorite Cuban food. If I don’t get it, I become irritable and lash out. I don’t drink or do drugs (besides my prescribed anxiety/depression meds), but my mood has become horrible. I feel angry, exhausted, and disconnected from everyone all the time, and it’s affecting my relationships badly.
I guess I just wanted to ask if anyone else with MS has experienced this kind of emotional change, exhaustion, irritability, or food coping habits. Is this something MS can contribute to? Or am I just being an overwhelmed teenager trying to process everything?
Thank you for reading:)))