My Story: From Diagnosis to Hope & Strength

After many years of unexplained complaints, I received the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2019. Looking back, the signals were there much earlier, but MS is largely an invisible disease. What you can’t see is often recognized late, even by yourself.

The First Signals: Physical Decline

My body began to behave less predictably. Sensation slowly disappeared. From my chin to my toes, everything felt numb, as if my body was being shut down a little more each day. That numbing sensation seemed to creep higher and higher.

I could no longer feel the difference between hot and cold. I literally didn’t know if I was hot or cold. At the same time, there was an overwhelming fatigue. Even small tasks demanded more energy than I had. With young children at home, that was particularly hard.

It wasn’t ordinary tiredness, but a constant, chronic exhaustion.

Mental and Emotional Impact

A lot changed mentally as well. You become irritable, short-tempered and gloomy. Not because you want to, but because your body and mind are constantly overloaded. My intimacy also changed. When feeling became increasingly difficult, it manifested there too. My concentration and memory deteriorated. I was constantly distracted and nothing seemed to stick.

Sometimes I felt something in my legs, but didn’t know if it was real. I had to look at my feet to check if I had actually bumped them. With movement or temperature changes, it seemed like my nerves conducted even worse, with a strange tingling sensation as if ants were crawling over my body.

The Search and Diagnosis

Personally, I think the origin may lie with a CMV virus infection in my youth, which triggered an autoimmune reaction in my nervous system. After MRI scans, a lumbar puncture and extensive neurological examination, the diagnosis finally came.

As with everyone, that news hit hard. Processing bad news takes time. Time to understand, accept and find direction again.

A Turning Point: The Overcoming MS Handbook

That support came unexpectedly. A friend of mine, Joke, gave me a book that would later play a major role: The Overcoming MS Handbook.

It wasn’t a miracle solution, but a lifestyle approach that offers people with MS new perspective. Overcoming MS is based on clear pillars such as:

• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Stress management
• Mental peace

Their organization shares all information for free, as a non-profit. That gave hope, without false promises.

The Struggle with Medication

For the first five years, I took medication to suppress my MS, namely Copaxone. It was a daily injection that caused an allergic reaction. I often called it a bee sting. Quick intervention was necessary, because with MS the immune system must be slowed down as quickly as possible.

At the same time, I hoped that eventually I would get off that medication, because it caused me daily discomfort. In 2023 I took that step. I stopped the medication and focused even more on my lifestyle, with extra emphasis on exercise.

That was also the beginning of my triathlon adventure. Not from a drive for performance, but as part of my continued rehabilitation.

A New Professional Start

Besides my health, I also made a conscious choice professionally. My goal was clear: no longer sitting at home sick, but finding a job that supports my new lifestyle instead of undermining it.

I made a positive career switch towards IT, with work that allows room for focus, autonomy and recovery. The combination of remote IT work at Patch My PC and initially also at RGF Staffing gave me perspective again.

Working at My Own Pace

Thanks to that way of working, even when my MS symptoms temporarily worsen and my mobility decreases, I can remain extremely productive and meaningful professionally. I can better manage my energy, align my work with my capacity and continue to create real value.

That career switch meant more than a new job. It was a choice for sustainability. For continuing to participate in professional life, even with a chronic condition.

Food as Medicine

From the very beginning, I consciously chose a thorough lifestyle change. Processed food completely disappeared from my daily life. Refined oils were eliminated and saturated fats were avoided, because they influence the immune system. I started eating more vegetables, along with lentils, beans and hummus. Broccoli and I never became best friends, but it remained faithfully on my plate.

Mindset and Movement

Mindfulness techniques helped me stay mentally upright and regain more control over my thoughts. Movement started cautiously. I swam a lot, because walking was difficult at first since I could barely feel my feet.

That combination of nutrition, mental peace and light exercise was the beginning of a profound change. Not a quick turnaround, but a sustainable reconstruction. Seven years later, I stand where I stand now. Fit and healthy, with mild MS symptoms, as a triathlete competing in my age group.

The Future: Chronically Better 2026

In 2026, I’m therefore starting a lifestyle project and conference. With one clear purpose: guiding and coaching other people with a chronic condition towards a healthier body and a stronger mind.

No quick fixes, but consistent steps in the right direction. Together, with more hope, strength and connection.