Today, Marianne can stretch, balance and hold demanding poses, while also guiding others through a yoga class. However, it was not a given that she could work as a yoga instructor. Because when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 17 years ago, she envisioned a life in a wheelchair. In Norway, there are around 14,000 people diagnosed with MS, a disease that causes inflammation in the brain or spinal cord. Although MS cannot be cured, treatment to slow the symptoms has become very effective. Multiple sclerosis (MS) Affects approximately 500 people in Norway each year. In total, more than 40,000 people in Norway live with the disease. The disease attacks the central nervous system, i.e. the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms often include numbness, visual disturbances, reduced walking function, paralysis of the arms and legs, balance problems, dizziness, problems with fine motor skills and chronic fatigue. Some develop severe disability and end up in a wheelchair or bedridden. Others live almost symptom-free. Sources: Health Norway, the MS Association. Urged to have an abortion Shortly after she received the diagnosis, Marianne became pregnant. She was worried about how the diagnosis might affect the pregnancy, and asked questions on online forums about other people’s experiences. Feedback was mixed; some believed that she would not be able to care for the child because of the diagnosis, and one person even suggested that she should have an abortion to spare the child. Marianne Lillehagen and her son when he was 7 years old. Today the son is 16 years old. Photo: Private / Private – I had a fantastic pregnancy, and was in really good shape. I am very grateful that I had that child, even though there were attitudes out there that were negative. I feel I disprove the myth that you shouldn’t have children, says Marianne. She adds that she does not feel that people have such attitudes today. Yoga was the rescue In the years that followed, she developed several symptoms that affected her life. Today it is fatigue, a form of exhaustion, that bothers her the most. However, the serious impairment that many had warned about has not occurred. She believes that yoga was her salvation in being able to stay physically active. Today, Marianne Lillehagen has no problems leading a yoga class. She says that yoga gives her energy, strength and calmness. Photo: Privat / Privat – I had the world’s best yoga teacher who said that – of course you can become a yoga teacher, you who have MS, says Marianne moved. Highly effective treatment – There is a huge development from no treatment 30 years ago to highly effective drugs today, explains senior physician at the Department of Neurology, Elisabeth Gulowsen Celius. Senior doctor in neurology Elisabeth Gulowsen Celius believes that MS treatment has come a long way. Photo: Amund Trellevik/news Each year around 500 people in Norway are diagnosed, most between the ages of 20 and 40, and more women than men are affected. Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum is one of those who have been diagnosed, and said that thanks to new medicines and support, many people can live well with MS. No basis in knowledge Heidi Elnæs, who is community contact at the MS center Hakadal, believes that the disease affects people very differently. Photo: Privat / news Heidi Elnæs, community contact at the MS center in Hakadal, has had close patient contact for many years. She points out that prejudice is often based on negative, preconceived attitudes without a basis in knowledge. She points out that many people think that MS is a visible disease, while many of the symptoms are actually invisible. Elnæs says that there is a wide range of variations among those with the diagnosis, with both mild and severe courses. It is therefore important that the treatment is adapted to the individual. – And fortunately, we now have too many good medicines, says Elnæs. Medicines provide good conditions Magne Wang Fredriksen is general secretary of the MS association. Photo: Privat / Privat Secretary General of the MS Association, Magne Wang Fredriksen, agrees that the development has come a long way. – The vast majority of people who get MS today will be able to live quite normally. But you have an illness that you will live with for the rest of your life, and you will have some challenges that you have to deal with, says Magne Wang Fredriksen. Published 22.11.2024, at 05.38
ttn-69
MS patients still face old prejudices – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
