Health is a constant source of concern for people with MS.
Many people suffer from the pain and disability associated with chronic pain, and this often makes it difficult for them to find the time to care for their loved ones.
But what is the real-life impact of this condition on the health of those who suffer?
This is the question being asked in Australia, where the parsnip crisis has caused some families to take drastic measures.
“I’ve got four kids and I have one who has arthritis in her hip, one who’s got pain in her knee, one in her shoulder and one in his ankle,” says Natalie.
Ms Stoll says she’s not concerned about her husband’s health, but is worried about his mobility. “
We’re not asking people to cut back on their medication or reduce their number of medicines, but we are asking people who are suffering to look at the health implications of having arthritis in their joints.”
Ms Stoll says she’s not concerned about her husband’s health, but is worried about his mobility.
“He’s been in the hospital a couple of times and he’s been unable to move around,” she says.
“So it’s been hard for him to get around.”
The condition has led to her husband having to spend time on crutches.
She says she knows that if they didn’t take their medication they would have been able to have children.
“The other day he was playing with his kids and he said, ‘I’ve been having the same problems since I was seven years old’,” she says, “so what’s stopping me from having children?”
‘It’s not a choice’ While people with chronic MS may not see pain as a problem, the effects of arthritis on the body can be devastating.
Chronic pain can have devastating effects on the nervous system and can cause the body to break down.
“It’s a very physical thing,” Ms Stinson says.
“It’s very painful and it’s very hard on your joints, and you can’t move around in your body as well.”
Ms Plott says she feels sorry for her husband and thinks they could have had a child earlier if they had had a good life before the disease.
“My wife and I are both very close and we’ve been together for 10 years, so I just think it would have made a difference for us,” she said.
“Our son is 10 and he can’t even move around, so if he’d had a little bit more time he would have probably been able a little earlier in life.”
The Australian Government says it has committed to addressing the problem.
“A key priority for the Government is to ensure that people with severe chronic pain have access to the medicines and support they need to manage their pain,” a spokesperson said.
But the Parsnip Challenge, which has been running for five years, is still in its infancy.
Dr Scott says the campaign is not yet over and the Parsnerms will continue to work towards getting the conditions fixed in Australia.
“They’re still waiting for that breakthrough and hopefully one day, we’ll be able to say we’ve fixed the problem,” he says.
In the meantime, Ms Stott and Ms Plittsay they are determined to get better.
“For us it’s not just about pain, it’s about how we get through our day,” Ms Plitte says.
“[It’s] just like when you have arthritis and you’ve got arthritis on your hips and knees.”
You’re still not able to walk, you’re still getting pains, you still can’t use your arm or your hand, and that’s just what you’ve always been living with.
