My name is Denise, I was born in 1959 and got married to Shaun in 1976. We have 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren and another due in January. I had my first MS symptoms 30 years ago shortly after the birth of my second daughter, although I didn't know the cause then. I was not actually diagnosed until 1985 and it took a long time to get them to send me for tests, but it was a huge relief to know what was causing these sometimes frightning symptoms. At least I could now try to plan my life and get some help from an Occupational Therapist to get things like handrails. I am very fortunate because my MS does not affect me too badly, but I do as much as I possibly can for myself because I believe very much in the saying "use it or lose it". I find The MS Friends Group very helpful because it is nice to talk over your problems with others who have had the same symptoms themselves.