Avoiding Death by Multiple Sclerosis

My "MS Google Alert" rewarded my in-box with a news story about an artist who died from "...complications from MS."

For the love of God, could people be a little more specific? I'm not trying to pry, but it really would help those of us who have MS. I would like to prepare for these deadly "complications." When I was first diagnosed, my neurologist told me that MS would not kill me. He talked about some other things that MS might cause that could kill a person.

For example: Pneumonia, often the killer of seniors. We, with MS, begin showing normal, "senior citizen" in our late 20s---needing canes, stumbling over words, loss of memory, etc., only goes to figure that some of the same "complications" of normal aging would get us as well. But, I am NOT 70 or 80, I was early 30s when diagnosed and there is much I can do to avoid these complications in the future.

Recently DX with MS? START NOW! Here is what I did/do: First I have to educate all my other doctors about MS and the complications that can kill me. I want them on the look-out. As I age, I may forget. Pneumonia seems to pop up a lot in obituaries of those with MS, swallowing and breathing can become compromised---so I have been doing breathing exercises for years. Just read up on Yoga, singing, you will find great suggestions there for working your breathing parts. How nice to be keeping yourself from dying of MS just by singing?!

Next, ask your doctor about getting the pneumonia vaccine. I am shocked at how many seniors don't know it exists and people with MS don't get it. (Don't forget that yearly flu shot.)

Falls. While rarely stated in obits, falls will be attributed to MS, even though falling is one of the biggest "complications of death by old age." Years ago I bought a book by a stunt woman who talks about falling. Read up on how to fall. There is a right way and wrong way. I did nothing but fall in Drama class for weeks. (Came in handy the musical where the black steps we were supposed to march off the stage into the audience was not in place and one by one, 12 of us fell off the stage onto each other! Still makes me laugh when I think of it, but falling is no laughing matter now.) If you are able now, practice falling. Read up on preventing falls and take the tips to heart. (non-skid mats, good lighting and so on) If you have foot drop, make a plan if you intend to climb stairs.

Getting up from falls. Many a person has died on the floor simply because they could get no help. Practice and work the muscles you will need to get up from a fall. Now, I am in the "what will help me, besides me" secondary progressive stage. I was slack on this aspect. Wiser, I pay for a monitoring service, wear a necklace, used it twice, my life is worth $30/month.

Eat healthy, get 8 hours sleep, exercise--get a routine, the sooner the better. Stop smoking. These are all common sense.

Swallowing problems? Choking, again a not unusual way to die, needs to be considered; learn to eat like Royalty---cut food in small pieces, chew well, don't talk while eating, and a speech therapist can give you more suggestions. What are you waiting for? Your neurologist will refer. Practice makes perfect.

Inactivity, well, duh to the duh, stay active as possible. You used to play basketball, run? Me too, big deal, do something else. SOME PART OF YOU MOVES (or you are dead already) so, move it! Don't be discouraged, a little often leads to a lot. (PLUS a little is MUCH MORE than nothing.)

Get your social on! Join a book club, take a bus ride, read or write blogs, form your own group, connect with others. Don't focus on just people with MS or just people who have a common interest---try new things! Keep your family close and your friends closer. (See, that way, friends become family!)

Watch out for infections! Infections can be easily CURED with the help of your doctor. It is FINDING them, KNOWING you have one that YOU must do. Just as with seniors, especially in nursing homes (think uncleanliness and lack of observation), that accident in your pants can be deadly if not well-cleaned. If you can't move much, watch out for bed sores. Your family doctor, a visiting nurse service, both will check your entire body over. Unfamiliar with bed sores? (I know I was in the beginning 15 years) Ask your DR. or READ UP!

Now, I want to know more about the deadly complications! I think MS alone gets more blame than it deserves for deaths. Though, consider the source. Relatives write those obits and MS weighed heavy on them. My obit may say I had MS, but it will NOT say I died from anything to do with it. And that will be the truth.

And this is why I wish I knew MORE complications of death by MS. I want to prepare NOW, as best I can.