Hello,

I was diagnosed with MS a year ago and I am on Avonex. I am afraid that my symptoms are all in my head. Lately, I am having trouble finding words, remembering what I wanted to say or do and even thinking. I am having trouble spelling out words. I am afraid that I have developed some type of dyslexia. I switch numbers around and letters too. I can’t even seem to remember my coworker’s names. Even feel like I am getting dumber and I can’t remember how to say words. I am afraid that people are going to think that I am dumb. I sometimes make mistakes when I am reading aloud to my class. It is like the words become unclear and I can’t read them right for a second. I know that being embarrassed should be the least of my concerns. After all, I have nothing to worry about on those days that I am too tired to get up and go to work. However, I think that I can handle my numbness, tingling, pain, shots & fatigue. It is the confusion & my new mental inabilities that I cannot deal with. Are these symptoms real? Is being an emotional basket case a symptom of MS? Will I continue to get dumber until there is nothing left of who I am?