A woman “brushed off” four warning signs of a life-altering condition as she was “too afraid” of how it would affect her future.
Becky Lee admits she should’ve realised there was a connection between her early symptoms.
Now, the 32-year-old spends each day in limbo, waiting and wondering to see how her body will react.
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The project manager hopes to share her story to raise awareness of the signs people should look out for.
And says they shouldn’t be ignored or dismissed out of fear.
“At the time, I didn’t realise how much it was all impacting me,” Becky, from Bristol, told Need To Know.
“I experienced muscle spasms, recurrent urinary tract infections and the feeling of a tight band squeezing around my chest.
“But I always had an explanation.
“I assumed the spasms were due to a vitamin deficiency.
“And the tightness was reflux or weight-related.
“The UTIs were just simply bad luck.”
In 2015, she was found to have inflammation and damage in her central nervous system.
It was said her diagnosis of clinically isolated syndrome could go on to develop into multiple sclerosis.
But, for the time being, she was advised to live life “normally”.
Until her condition worsened.
She said: “I experienced worsening dizziness, balance problems and issues with my vision.
“I remember looking at signs or something in the distance and feeling like it was always slightly shaking or vibrating.
“But my eye tests always came back normal.
“So I assumed it was something everyone experienced.
“I also had significant weakness on my left side.
“Over time, the muscle deteriorated more than normal.
“Looking back, these were early warning signs.
“I didn’t realise they were connected.”
Becky had the option to go for an MRI scan in 2020, though she ultimately declined.
She was “too afraid” of what they may find.
She said: “I was young and fearful of how a diagnosis could change my future.
“Living without a formal one felt easier than facing reality.”
But in 2022, she bit the bullet, and went for the scan.
It confirmed her diagnosis of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in February 2023.
Becky said: “It is difficult to know if an earlier diagnosis would’ve changed anything.
“It’s invisible, from the outside, and I look completely fine.
“But, inside, I’m dealing with fatigue, weakness and dizziness each day.
“During the first year, I was terrified.
“I think more awareness is needed so people understand that symptoms can be subtle and dismissed.”
Now, she’s undergoing treatment with a neurologist called Kesimpta to help prevent progression.
She added: “It’s forced me to adapt my life.
“I have to be more mindful of my energy levels and slow down more than I used to.
“I also focus on managing fatigue to help with day-to-day symptoms.
“It’s unpredictable, which can make the future seem uncertain at times.
“Lots of people with MS probably feel the same.
“For now, I try to focus on living my life as best as possible rather than worrying too much about what might happen.”
