Laura determined not to let MS diagnosis beat her

Businesswoman Laura McLouglin has MS, but tells Arlene Harris she is focusing on the positives in her life as she adjusts to her condition.

LAURA McLoughlin is a young successful businesswoman — running her own beauty salon called Burgundy Beauty in Blackrock Dublin. The 29-year-old would have always described herself as a workaholic and a ‘gym bunny’ with a great social life.

But she has started taking life at a slower pace — because last summer she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Today is World MS Day and Laura feels it is important for others to know that the condition can strike at any time, and while it is a totally life-changing event, it doesn’t have to spell the end.

“I used to work out a lot and would be down the gym most days,” she admits. “In September 2012, I developed a feeling of numbness around my back and thought I might have pulled something. I didn’t want to pay out unnecessarily for the doctor, so I avoided going and just decided to cut down on my exercise.

“But a few weeks later, the pain had got worse so I went to the doctor who diagnosed me with shingles. I was put on medication and took it for three or four months, but the pain was still there and if anything was getting worse — so I asked for a second opinion.”

Laura, who lives in Dun Laoghaire with her parents Deirdre and Ken, was referred to a specialist who sent her for an MRI. But although she knew there was something wrong, she wasn’t prepared for the reality of her diagnosis.

“When the doctors told me I had MS it didn’t really register with me at first,” she admits.

“I came away feeling fairly calm, but later that evening I did a search online and was horrified when I realised what could be ahead of me.

“Luckily I am quite headstrong so I was determined I wasn’t going to let it beat me or get me down,” she admits. “I was in the process of moving my salon, so although in some ways it was an awful time to get a diagnosis like this, it was also the only thing that kept me sane as I threw myself into the organisation of it all.

“I was put on a course of medication in June 2013 and had a hard time adjusting to it as the side effects (such as hot and cold sweats) were really bad. But it has settled down now and I have also been nominated to try a new drug which may be available next year and might have the potential to slow down the MS symptoms by 60% as opposed the one I am on now which is just 30%.”

While she is managing to deal with her illness, Laura says her life has completely changed in the last year.

“Being diagnosed with MS has changed my life so much,” she says. “I used to work 12-hour shifts and went to the gym every day — I also had a hectic social life. Now I do the normal 9-5 and spend my time on reception rather than doing treatments as I get so tired. I have slowed down a great deal as I really need to conserve my energy — so I’m not afraid to take a day off work or go for a lie down if I need to.

“My parents have been my rock throughout it all and so has my sister Rachel who has done everything she can to support me and help me out whenever I need it.

“I discovered that my grandfather’s sister has MS. She is in her 70s and her only symptom is that she needs a stick to walk with, so I am focusing on her and hoping I will be the same. There is no point in looking at any other alternatives as it will just drag me down so I need to focus on the positive things in life.

“I will have MS forever and I have accepted that — so I am taking one day at a time and being thankful for all the good things I have. ”

8,000-plus with MS in Ireland

* More than 8,000 people in Ireland have MS.

* Symptoms include reduced mobility, fatigue, changes in sensation, memory and concentration — which are difficult to explain to others.

* There is currently no evidence to support that MS is hereditary.

* The most common type of MS is relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). This means sufferers experience a relapse or flare-up of symptoms followed by remission.

* Treatment includes reducing inflammation during relapses, or changing the course of the disease in some way with disease modifying drugs.

* Physiotherapy plays a significant role in maintaining muscle strength and mobility

* Speech and language therapy help with speech and swallowing and an occupational therapist can advise on techniques, aids and appliances that can increase independence.

* MS is a progressive neurological condition. Research is being carried out to find a cure.

* MS Ireland uses World MS Day to raise awareness of their services. Collections will be held on May 28.

* This year they are asking people to make their One Day Wish visit www.ms-society.ie