Readers Respond: What comment about your MS was the dumbest?
Responses: 155

Updated October 02, 2008

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Are you doing drugs?

Before I was diagnosed, I went to the doctor and complained about dizziness, lac of coordination, lack of energy, and ringing in my ears. The doctor looked at me with a straight face and asked "Are you doing drugs? What drugs are you doing?" She was implying that these symptoms were from doing street drugs. Well, my mom (who had MS all her life) and I went to the same doctor. After that question, we both found a different doctor!!!
—joyfullDonna

I can relate to all those "dumb" comments, too. My own mother (who had MS and is no longer with us) said this to me quite often. She said it so much, that I would be very wealthy if I had a $1 for every time she said it! (and I wouldn't have had to apply for SSI!!) "Aren't you glad you ONLY have MS?" She was referring to the fact that I inherited MS while my twin sister inherited my Dad's mental illness. (In her case Bi-Polar disorder) I cringed every time that question came out of her mouth! I don't know where I got MS or who gave it to me, but I want to give it back! Ha! Over the years I have learned to deal with comments like these. I try to educate people and sometimes I just give it to God and let it go! There is really not much more you can do.
—joyfullDonna

I was diagnosed with MS 5 years ago and have been on copaxone the whole time. A few months ago, something came up in a family conversation about the injections I do everyday. My brother-in-law looked shocked and exclaimed "Oh my God you STILL have that??!!! How long do you plan on doing those shots???!!" My answer - "Ummm, I'm thinking until there is a cure or maybe the day I die would be a good time to quit..." I think that got the point across pretty quickly.
—Guest Quetseli

my mother told me I was faking MS, for attention,, I flat out told her, to tell my neuro this, and why did we spend all this money, on getting MS somewhat stabelized,,people will come up and yell "how you doing"?, hey I am not deaf,!! the no pain no gain, phrase, doesn't cut it, granted I was a phys ed teacher, ran 5 miles a day, I know !!,,
—Guest Pegleg

While I was going through a relapse & needed to IV treatment, my boss (not immediate one but a step up) says to me, "You should schedule this stuff around allowed time off." LOL...seriously?! And..my mother: "If you would take vitamins..or if you ate better...you wouldn't have relapses." What??! Ugh... and finally the ex: "You are always using MS fatigue as an excuse to get out of things." For real??!
—Guest Jessica

I have a friend who knows I have MS. she says get off the pills and work through the pain! Then, since I can't take the heat outside, I got a exercise trampoline, I pace myself, not jumping just kind of a bounce without lifting my feet off it! I know I need some sort of exercise and I enjoy this, she says "take it back or don't complain to me about your pain!" That is on thing I DON'T do is complain, but when the tic-delaroux hits, my eyes look like their bulging, my mouth pulls and I seem to put my toung on my top teeth to prevent cuts I must say I do look strange, but my son asked me if I was "tweeking" on speed! No one seems to understand! I am on disability,because I never know from one day to the next if I can function! I have even gotten to the point that i think I've got a hold on a glass, and it slips right out of my hands!
—shmarie

I was divorced, but still on good terms with my ex-in-laws when I was diagnosed. When I called my mother-in-law and told her I'd found out what was wrong, she said "Oh, no, my sister had that and went blind!" Since I'd been her daughter-in-law for over 20 years, I knew all her sisters and she didn't have a blind one I asked her which one and when she told me, I said "but she's not blind!" and was told that it only lasted 2 days. Gee, thanks for sharing that... Made me feel so much better.
—Guest Mary

My daughter was diagnosed at 20 with Multiple Sclerosis. My sister took every opportunity to tell me that the MS symptoms displayed by her neighbor were the "real" ones. Anything else, including what my daughter was dealing with was of no comparable importance. No problem...with that attitude....no contact. I am far better off and so is my daughter.
—Guest gioia

We have known each other for 8 yrs. He has chased me for 6yrs. I finally gave hime a chance. Everything is wonderful, until one night I am tired. I pulled 12 hrs. at the hospital for the second day and have another one to go. All are away at friends and my mom. I am thinking alone time for me, onlty me. I tell him what kind of mood I am in and that I need me time tonight. It has been non stop for 2 months since we have been dating. I need a stress break. So, he says So, now its day by day with you. WOW!! My response was not nice. But I did say well duh I told him my body controls me I dont control my body. Everyday single day I have to see what it feels like doing. Pissed me off. That is why I rather not date
—bailey7976

Before I was dx. The ex used to call me bipolar because of all the random mood swings I was having. After dx. He still called me bipolar but then one day said that I was faking having M.S. so that I can get attention. This is even seeing the lesions on my brain. What I think it was he wanted the attention. So, I had to tell him to kick rocks!!!!!!
—bailey7976

I was really shocked when my own mother said she didnt think "just having MS" would help me get SSDI. I didnt get mad or anything, I was just so shocked! She sees my daily struggles with MS.
—vicki102957

I was at Wal-Mart, and as all of Ms sufferer's we have our balance issues. Well I had an issue of balance on this particular day. A lady came up to me and accused me of being drunk, and that you drunk's need to stay home. Wouldn't you think I would smell like a brewery? Maybe she was smelling herself. Huh! an accusing me.
—Guest Lizard

I have had so many ridiculous statements thrown at me. I have been thru the :"You look great sitting there" and have also encountered many elderly people yelling at me for parking in handicapped spots. I usually just say to them, "well if you are going to complain, give me more time & you can watch me try to walk to the back of my car & get my scooter out!!" People have no clue whatsoever what we MS'ers go thru on a day to day basis. Just because we don't "LOOK" sick, doesn't mean we are well. What really gets my goat is when I see people who are completely healthy, slamming the car door & literally running into the store w/ heels on, while I struggle from a non handicapped spot! Anyway most people have no clu this is in our brain, not our legs, it just AFFECTS our legs & arms & other nerve related muscular activity. SOme comments I have just read are unbelievable, esp the ones made by doctors!
—Guest Ree*

I friend who knew about my MS asked me how my vision was doing. I told her that it was getting worse again. Her reply was "are you sure?" yeh, pretty sure....
—Guest chattycathy

I was dxd a little over a year ago and I am 56. Have had symptoms for over 10 years. My neurologist and his nurse informed me how lucky I was I didn't get it sooner. Lucky compared to what?? I now have a new neurologist that I like. Thank you Julie.
—lmrt53