MS is a bumpy path but only 1 of many in life's journey. However out of them all it can manage to affect the rest makin

Where do I start, what can I say that hasn't been said before, have I got something different to say? I am guessing no! But they do say that if something is worth saying then maybe it's worth saying more than once! Could I be right? I noticed when my children were small they loved to repeat certain words or sentences like "Why?" A small word, a simple question but after the 5th time of being repeated you feel like pulling out your hair and screaming "Stop!".

Have you felt like that when you have been dealing with your MS everyday! I have!! My symptoms or the leftovers from a relapse seem to enjoy repeatedly whipping me over and over again until I feel like screaming "Leave me alone"!

So what can I do? Take tablets! Take drink! Scream! Swear! Oh yes I could do all those things and more and for a short time they help, relieve me of the punishing torture. But does anyone understand what it is like to be affected in this way!?

For some people MS is very much hidden from the outside work. We can be told that we are looking good and of course we are but underneath we can be dealing with annoying symptoms.

My experiences have been:

pain

discomfort

visual disturbances

weakness

fatigue

urgency

stiffness

cramps

I can cover them up mostly but not always, just check with my family

I am very aware that a large number of sufferers have visual symptoms and therefore what I have said doesn't interest you or may even insult you and if it does I wish to apologise now. If I had very visual symptoms I would have something different to say, so I want to say I am sorry that I can't write something helpful for you. I am sorry but things will mostly likely change in due course knowing MS so I will blog then on those experience.

I like to think that although I have some thorns I can still be a rose. For now they are not noticeable but unfortunately as time goes by they will become visible but maybe I can write them off as old age! No! I will wear them with pride, I will be proud to be a rose with thorns because I will still look beautiful.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a nervous system disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. It damages the myelin sheath, the material that surrounds and protects your nerve cells. This damage slows down or blocks messages between your brain and your body, leading to the symptoms of MS. They can include

• Visual disturbances
• Muscle weakness
• Trouble with coordination and balance
• Sensations such as numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles"
• Thinking and memory problems

No one knows what causes MS. It may be an autoimmune disease, which happens when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. Multiple sclerosis affects women more than men. It often begins between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually, the disease is mild, but some people lose the ability to write, speak, or walk.

There is no single test for MS. Doctors use a medical history, physical exam, neurological exam, MRI, and other tests to diagnose it. There is no cure for MS, but medicines may slow it down and help control symptoms. Physical and occupational therapy may also help.

So it is so good to find out that there are allsorts of people who have MS and it is touching to know that there are people out there who care.

When I get flowers they make me smile, when I see flowers growing in gardens, fields and hedges, I stop to look and enjoy them. I am very aware that some flowers are more expensive than others and that when they are wrapped up with a bow or displayed with care it makes getting the flowers more thrilling.

All people with MS are beautiful in their own way, may have more symptoms/disabilities and some may seem to be able to cope better than others. Plus what I have wrote may upset, annoy, or may all seem inappropriate so please forgive me. These are only my own thoughts, opinions and feelings. Please don't judge me I love all flowers.