Interferon therapy for me has been a real godsend, because in the first year after my diagnosis, my MS was very active, very aggressive. I think I had five relapses in the one year's time.
Then I started interferon therapy and the first year on interferon I had two attacks, and since then maybe I've had a few. I have improved actually in my abilities as opposed to the first year I had my MS. So I'm very, very pleased.
ANNOUNCER: But for people with MS, coping with the disease means more than just dealing with symptoms.
LISA PECK: I think it's really important that people who are diagnosed with MS, that they do reach out to family, friends. Personally speaking, that was hard at first, because I'm a very independent, do-it-yourself kind of person. I didn't like the idea of having to ask for help.
But what I've learned is that MS doesn't affect just me. It actually does affect the people around me, and the more I can bring them in and actually allow them to help, the better off we all are, because then they don't feel so helpless and they don't feel like it's a battle for them.
ANNOUNCER: Sometimes it's important to reach out to the people who best understand: other people with MS.
FAITH REILLY: I think that it is really important to connect with the MS community, and rather than being afraid of it for what you might see, I think it can give you strength. I think what you have to keep in mind is that everybody's experience with MS is very unique. And what you see in one person sitting next to you is not necessarily what your future is going to be.
