Debbie Ramsey, Columnist, MSnewsChannel.com

Well I finally get to have my voice heard and be a Columnist on MSnewsChannel.com  First of all I'll start with an introduction.

My name is Debbie and I just turned 41.  I was diagnosed at the age of 24 in May '97 but can trace back symptoms to '86 when I was 13. I started out on Avonex.  I am married to my wonderful husband Stephen.  Our anniversary is the 16th of December and it will be are 13th.  Marrying in 2000 makes it so much easier for an MS'er with brain fog to know what anniversary year it is.

He moved to be with me in Northern, VA from Wales, UK.  We met online in '98 and I was completely bedridden when he came to visit me in July of '99.  That's when he proposed to me.  I was like Quadriplegic almost.  Could only move my hands and come to find out that not only did I get the 00.1% alopecia that can get from Avonex but my body was allergic to Interferon.  Stephen came back in September and I was able to get in my wheelchair and go with my Mom to pick him up.

You could say it was God, love, or Copaxone that got me better and out of bed but I say a bit of all 3.  We lived with my Mother for the first 3 1/2 years of marriage until we could find an apartment of our own and we did in 2004 and have been living here ever since.

I'm so thankful for Stan & Stan's Angels  He's the greatest in finding out important information on MS as well get other MS'ers to get to chat with one another and be a cyber voice for happy times, sad times, and just to plain rant.  I first found him on MySpace and I went to Facebook because my in-laws were on there and Stan joined Facebook too.  He rocks and you can't help but love him.

Do we have kids?  Unfortunately No.  I always wanted them but....
....have never been able to have them because of MS so was on birth control up until May of this year when I had a 15-20 minute procedure done that blocks my fallopian tubes from allowing entrance.  I am very sad about not having children but am ok with it now.

I have been unable to work since my diagnosis actually before so I don't work unless being a housewife with a disability counts. 

I have been on many different medications ad some have worked and others have not.  Right now I am on Gilenya.  Been on it since June of 2012.  It has been most helpful.  But my fattigue is the worst.  A few months ago I was able to force myself out of bed.  I can still do that but not much.
I have a very supportive family some what.  They understand but not always.  Think I make excuses because I have MS.

I used to love to write poetry but my typing skills and writing skills have gone kaput.  Thank god for spellcheckers.  I used to go to church until the church I had been going to had to shut it's door in 2011/  We are currently looking for a church now.  I used to belong to a book club as well and because the church is no more so is the book club.  I have 3 of the greatest friends but live far away except for Teresa.  She's been my BFF since I was 12.  She lives about 45min. to an hour away where I used to live and she's a school bus driver so it's hard to see her often.  But her 18 ad 20 year old sons love to hang out with my hubby.  Then there is Robin another BF and she lives in Austin, Texas, and my third friend Lorie lives in Pittsburg, PA.  At least they are all on facebook. So I spend my days playing games and chatting with others who have MS.

Anyway that's me.  I have so many things I want to write about but will save it for another time.

Labels: Avonex, Gilenya