my first trip with meds and more.... - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

Rem4 · 11-17-2007, 10:10 AM

Just came back from my first trip (to Europe) with my medication – Copaxone.
I was scared before I left, I was not sure how I will manage with the meds and the injections, but I did it and I am proud of myself. Just celebrated 4 weeks on the meds…. The first incident I had, was just as I left at the airport they pulled me to the side and checked my meds, I was annoyed that they touched my syringes they said it was Ok but still had to examine it. Next time I am going to insist that they change their gloves as I want to keep everything sterile.
Other then that I was not stopped at any airport.

As I mentioned on this board I keep my MS a secret and except my husband and my 2 sons no one knows. I even stayed 3 nights at a friend’s house and manage to inject without them noticing anything. Now that I achieved my “independence” in self injections and I don’t cry as I did in the beginning (thanks to the antidepressant meds) I think I will tell my parents soon. I will have to tell them not to mention it to anyone not even my brother (as I don’t trust his wife) and just will have to hope for the best. We are a close family so I think I will have some pressure from them to tell my brother but I do hope that they will respect me and keep it a secret. I am “practicing” my “speech” to them and when I will be ready I will tell them, the question now is to tell before or after Thanksgiving.

Thanks for listening.
R

Bearygood · 11-17-2007, 01:04 PM

Rem, congrats on a successful trip!

As for telling, seems like it's a dilemma when it comes to your brother. I understand you not trusting his wife but I hope you at least find a way to share it with him since your family is so close. You know your family best but if I were in your situation I think I'd probably tell before Thankgiving so on that day, there is yet another thing to put thankful energy into -- you are here, dealing with this disease admirably and living your life moving forward with a great attitude! Personally, I think that's something to be thankful for.

I hope that whatever you decide to do, it works out okay and that you have a wonderful holiday.

taosdaphne · 11-17-2007, 02:37 PM

Here you are scared to tell a brother, and in MY dysfunctional family my father hasn't talked to me in the 2 years since my partner had a massive heart attack (basically died six times and they brought her back), and has yet to reply to my news about having MS. My brother is the only sane one (besides me!) in the family--he went straight to the internet and became an instant MS expert and great support, even if he does live on the other side of the country. Of course my father has never met my brother's fabulous daughters--one seventeen and already a published poet, the other doing a Ph.D at Princeton. I figure it's his problem--he's basically cut himself off from the human race, poor guy. But families are weird in general, and weirder about illness.

Taosdaphne

MSNik · 11-17-2007, 06:16 PM

Hey Rem. So how was Europe?! Hey, Im really proud of you! I told you that you could do this...and also told you that traveling with the syringes isnt as big a deal as we think (before we try it). Having done it many times now, Ive never had a problem. With Rebif syringes, they come in individually wrapped clear plastic casings, I never had to worry about anyone touching them- I didnt realize Copaxone wasnt like that....but youre right to want to keep them sterile.

As for your dilmemma with your family and especially your brother. I dont think this is going to be too hard for you. Now is the time (if you think so) because your confidence is high, you managed to spend the days taking care of yourself, and you no longer will feel like YOU DONT KNOW what you can do.
YOU DO KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO, so telling them is a perogative, not a necessity.
Good luck, have a wonderful holiday..
and welcome back.
Nikki