Ask Your Friends

I recently got an Email from a reader who asked: "My pupils are sometimes different sizes. What causes this?"

I also had the same thing, but only knew it because other people would point it out. I also have had a slight shaking of my head at times when I wasn't aware of it, which is a form of tremor. My husband will mention to me that I have repeated something several times or that I have forgotten something he just said, indicating that my cognitive abilities are a little more impaired that day. Last night, friends mentioned that I looked "sad" and asked if we should move inside. I perked up right away in the air conditioner, indicating that I was unknowingly experiencing some heat intolerance.

My point with all of this is that it is often our friends and loved ones who notice increased MS symptoms, when those of us with MS may be unaware of them. It is important that we know what is happening with our symptoms, so that we can keep track and mention them to our neurologists.

Encourage your friends and family to point out whatever symptoms they notice to you. Sure, it is not always pleasant to be interrupted when you are enjoying yourself with a statement of "Wow! You really seem confused today!" or "I never noticed how you slurred your speech when you get hot." It also may be uncomfortable for them to mention these things.

Some people will gleefully point out little oddities. You may have to tell some of your friends that while you welcome any insight they might have into your MS symptoms, this does not extend to critique of hairstyles, shoes or boyfriends.