Childhood MS: Eden's story

Eden, 15, first noticed symptoms of MS when she experienced double vision during a game of netball. Here she shares her story.

I went to catch the ball during a netball match and remember seeing double. It was a few days before I said anything but I eventually told my parents, they took me to the GP and then I was transferred to Queen’s Hospital. They didn’t know what it was at first, but I was given steroids and that got rid of the double vision. I had to stay in hospital for a week.

I was diagnosed with MS in April 2016. I had an MRI scan to see if I had any lesions on the brain and that was quite scary! I didn’t know what MS was at first, so I didn’t really think anything of it, but the doctor explained it as being a bit like an electrical cable that gets damaged and so doesn’t always work properly, and that helped me understand it better.

I started treatment about a month after I was diagnosed. I was on Rebif at the beginning; it was quite hard to inject myself at first, but then I got used to it. I then changed medication about four months ago to Tysabri because my hair started to fall out. I am finding that much better – I haven’t experienced any symptoms since.

I didn’t tell my friends and teachers straight away, but now I do try and explain to people what MS is. I am doing a speaking and listening exam on MS at school soon. We have to give a three-minute speech on anything we want, and then you get asked questions for six minutes in front of the class.

To anyone diagnosed with MS I would say ‘Don’t panic’. It’s not the end of the world and you will get help. 

• Read Mohammed's story