Some diseases are not visible to the eyes as they are entirely unseen by everyone and display a normal physical appearance. But nobody knows about the pain that a person suffers from inside and does not tell anybody about it. These patients are really brave-hearted who keep the courage and patience to fight their illness. So, they reveal no scars or marks on their faces but possess the strength and endurance to go through all the pain. However, Shruti Ghate is one such person who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Hence, she has a story to tell valued readers to share her words with them.
Living with an Invisible Illness: The Strength No One Sees
The disease of multiple sclerosis is a rare disease that happens to people by fate. So, they cannot do anything about it except for an MRI scan. It is the only process that can help them diagnose this invisible illness and begin treatment. But patients have to keep a big heart and show their sense of patience to undergo the entire procedure. They have to suffer through the pain and cry in silence.
Because nobody is there to wipe their tears, their family is obviously with them, but they have to fight their battle by themselves. Thus, courage is the only weapon they can use to combat their illness. The strange thing is that it does not reveal to an outsider and damages all the internal organs of the body. It disrupts the flow of transmission from the brain that leads to the spinal cord and optic nerve.
Understanding the Initial Symptoms
Symptoms are the only things that indicate the signs of weakness and numbness in the entire body. It begins with the tingling sensation that feels like a burning throughout the body. This sensation sometimes rises to prickling and gives a creepy irritation of needles and pins. Apart from these sensory changes, there are more things that happen, such as blurred vision. It makes it difficult and painful for patients to see clearly. They also feel weakness in their muscles, especially in their limbs, which causes them to stumble in their walking and movement. Patients think the vertigo attacks increase the risk of them falling down on the floor. They feel dizzy and exhausted with constant fatigue.
Visiting the Family Doctor
First of all, most patients take a lot of time to understand their symptoms that happen to them clearly. So, they avoid visiting a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. They consider these signs as usual and do not give much importance to them. But when things begin to go worse, they rush to their general physician, GP. He is a regular practitioner who does not have any specialization in neurological diseases. So, he can only suggest painkiller medications and refer to an MRI scan, which is a must for these patients. However, it is ideally recommended for patients to see a neurology specialist who can better diagnose their disease.
The report of the MRI Scan takes enough time to explain the details of the illness. Patients have to go through this process multiple times to check their mental function. It gives them an idea of moving along with their disease that progresses further over time.
Facing the Disability
The most traumatic moment comes to patients when they are shifted to a wheelchair. It only happens in the intense cases of multiple sclerosis when the condition becomes worse. They are unable to move by themselves and have to find support. Their neurological disorder also causes them to lose control of their bladder and are attached with a catheter to pass urine. It is humiliating for them, but they have to suffer it quietly without any words of complaint.
Try Physical Exercises
People think of their illness as incurable. But everything has a remedy and solution. Patients must try some physical workouts as prescribed by their doctors. So, they can start with a physiotherapy session and make it a regular practice for them. It will show a gradual and steady progress with the free movement of their stiff body muscles.
After attending these therapy sessions, their body will begin to respond slowly. It will help them develop an optimistic hope for a cure. Their physical changes bring a sense of excitement in patients to come out of their bedroom confinement. So, they find the will to go out for a walk. It energizes their body and provides strength in their muscles to find ease of mobility without any support. Yoga is also an excellent thing for patients to calm their senses and relax their minds.
Needs a Family Care
Patients who suffer from MS require strong family support. Their close belongings give them a new ray of hope to survive. They encourage them to rise every day with a new passion. Their family and friends should be there to care for them and make their lives easier to survive.
Bottom Line
Although living with an invisible illness is a challenge in itself, patients have to survive with their condition and face it with courage. They have to fight a battle from inside that does not guarantee them a win. But they still have to keep their fight with a constant hope for a cure and get their life back to normal. The story of Shruti Ghate gives a tremendous source of inspiration to all patients who are suffering through the same thing.
If you want to understand what inner strength truly looks like, dive into Shruti’s firsthand account. Her journey doesn’t just tell a story; it gives you a companion for your own. Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPVT668R?