Völs/Terlan – At 24, a life-altering diagnosis is the last thing anyone expects. Plans for travel, career, and family suddenly feel distant. For Martina Messner, thatS exactly what happened in 2019, after an optic neuritis subsided only to be followed two months later by a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis – a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Today, Messner dedicates herself to supporting others navigating MS, sharing the guidance she wished she’d had.
Navigating a New Reality After a Shocking Diagnosis
Understanding MS and finding support are crucial steps for those newly diagnosed.
- MS is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Early diagnosis and treatment can considerably slow disease progression.
- Support groups, like the South Tyrolean MS Association, offer invaluable connection and resources.
- Bureaucratic hurdles, like lengthy wait times for appointments and costly license renewals, can add stress.
“I assumed that everything woudl be fine again,” Martina recalls. The initial symptoms of optic neuritis had resolved. “This can happen to young people,” a doctor told her. But the shock was immense when, two months later, she received the MS diagnosis. “I sat there and at some point I couldn’t follow at all. it was like a movie was playing in front of me.” She admits her initial mistake was quickly seeking information online. “incurable, wheelchair, terrible course of events,” she remembers reading. “That’s scary.”
Early Signs Often Missed
Looking back, messner recognizes earlier warning signs. in 2017,when starting a new job,she experienced tingling in her legs and numbness in her hands. “I thought it was the stress.” Magnesium supplements and a vacation temporarily alleviated the symptoms. “Back then I didn’t even know what MS was. Looking back, you’re smarter.”
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the central nervous system. In South Tyrol, approximately 600 people live with MS. Symptoms,frequently enough called “the disease of a thousand faces,” vary widely – from visual disturbances and numbness to balance problems – depending on which part of the central nervous system is affected.
While currently considered incurable,MS is highly treatable.Early diagnosis and modern medications can often significantly slow the disease’s progression. though,the diagnosis itself takes a toll. “In the beginning you quickly find yourself in a negative spiral,” Martina says. She initially hesitated to seek professional help, a decision she now regrets. Conversations with her family doctor were instrument
