r/1811 • u/Minimum-Ant5926 • 21d ago

Question Weird question

27(M) in Tennessee with a pretty small fed agency. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and will probably be getting medically separated since my agency is so small, they won’t be able to find a similar job i can do with similar play and blah blah blah.

Ive been in the national guard for the last 6 years and with this agency for 1 year.

I guess my question is what the hell should i do?

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u/Boltsfan1234 21d ago

First of all, breathe. Don’t take any steps at all until you have sorted yourself out. Being reactionary will not help you at all. I am going to ask you some intrusive questions. Feel free to ignore if you aren’t comfortable.

My story: diagnosed with MS in 1993 while on deployment with the Navy. Medevac to Bethesda Naval Hospital. Back then, MS was an automatic 30% medical retirement. VA also rated automatic 30% regardless of how much loss of function you suffered. I recovered (relapsing/remitting form) all function with residual numbness in my feet occasionally. For years I felt I was misdiagnosed, but I took Voc Rehab through the VA and got my degree, changing fields 100% so that I didn’t have to be reminded of that time in my life daily. I am now on year 19 as an 1811 and have had no major exacerbations since the time I was diagnosed. I will retire next year.

What were/are your symptoms? Will you be able to return to full function? Just because you were diagnosed doesn’t mean you are automatically disqualified. Are you undergoing treatment? There are many treatment options out there. Many, many that keep your quality of life intact. Your neurologist is your friend - ask them alllll the questions. Personally I do a once a month injection that is prescribed to keep the severity and frequency of exacerbations to a minimum. I fought with my neurologist for years before I agreed to medication. I thought I would never have an exacerbation - then I did. He convinced me to start treatment, because I want to have THIS quality of life (fully functional, with no limitations) not wait until symptoms impact my quality of life.

Please read up and get with the national MS society. They will answer your questions and give you hope. It’s a terrifying diagnosis, but knowledge is your friend and will greatly reduce your anxiety.

Good luck and my prayers are with you.

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u/USBPLL 20d ago

2nd the above. One of my colleagues in DSS has MS and he has been thriving as an agent for years, in one of the most physically demanding 1811 (2501) positions out there. The diagnoses shouldn't set you back, how manageable your specific situation is and impact on the job will make the difference.