MS & The Sexes

 

 

It’s nothing earth-shattering in the fact that twice as many women have MS than men.  (I’m happy to be one of the “lucky” guys!)

I’m just curious to know if MS affects men differently than it does women.

Sure, physically it seems to be the same between the sexes…myelin damage, foot drop, numbness, gait problems, vision, cognitive issues, yada yada yada.

 

 

But I wonder if MS affects us differently…between the ears.

 

Does a males “fragile” ego make it more difficult to accept an MS diagnosis? 

  

 

The reason I bring this up was a recent conversation I had with a female MSer.

She was dx’d in 2001 and was confined to a power wheelchair.

Despite the physical limitations that may bring, her words were admirably calm.  She was complacent and accepting of her multiple sclerosis.

It was like she had a slight headache instead of a chronic, auto-immune disease.

And it was refreshing to witness!

In fact, as I think about it, a number of female MSers I know seem to share this demeanor as well.

Meanwhile, yours truly..and many guys I know with MS, seem to struggle accepting our disease.

Talk with a guy with MS and you may notice a slight twinge of bitterness, with a little anger sprinkled in.  Heck, I’m 15 years into my MS and I can still spit nails after a hard fall or a difficult climb up a flight of stairs.

  

Why the difference in perspectives?

  

  

 

Here in My Odd Sock Labs, we desperately tried to find answers.

 

Using the Tasco brand microscope from my childhood, we looked deep into the genetic make-up of both males AND females with multiple sclerosis.

 

My Odd Sock’s findings…..

 

 

 

 

Male jeans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Female jean.

(Purse not included)

 

 

 

 

Despite noticable differences in cut, taper and stitching, the My Odd Sock study was deemed both ridiculous and inconclusive!

 

Seriously though, a male friend with MS described his dx as driving him into depression.  Personally, I struggled early on, recovered and have recently been taking depression meds ( I call’em my “crazy” pills).

Is such a strong reaction to a diagnosis a guy thing?

Does it explain why females tend to have a better attitude toward their MS?

 

On a bad day, I often think of the female MSer in her power chair.  Remembering her attitude, hearing her words.  And then use that to slay the MS dragon that burns my butt from time to time.

Is it a matter of perspective?  I’m leaning towards the belief that it is.

What’s yours?