Michael Vogel: Living with MS – This is how he overcomes the disease!

Michael Vogel: Living with MS – This is how he overcomes the disease!

Michael Vogel has been living with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) since 2012, which he was diagnosed with when he was 34 years old. Today, at 46 years old and with 13 years of experience with the disease, he has managed to forget the disease in many phases of his life. “Sometimes I forget about the illness for weeks,” he explains. Above all, peace and relaxation are important for his well-being, which he finds in his garden with around 30 plants.

Vogel's diagnosis was the beginning of a new phase in life, because MS is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that often occurs between the ages of 20 and 40. Around 280,000 people are affected in Germany, with women becoming ill significantly more often than men. Beginning symptoms often include numbness and tingling in the extremities, which Vogel initially attributed to stress. But MS can show many different faces and progresses differently from patient to patient. This diversity is the reason why the disease is called the “disease with 1000 faces.”

Support and coping strategies

Vogel's greatest support was his wife, who helped him better understand the disease and gather information. To manage his symptoms, he decided to stop taking medication three years ago because the daily injections were taking a toll on him. Instead, he has organized his life so that he can better deal with the challenges of the disease. It is important to participate in support groups early on; He advises other sufferers to seek contact with like-minded people.

As Apotheken Umschau notes, the symptoms of MS can be very different. These include visual disturbances, paralysis, tingling and numbness in the arms and legs. Choosing the right therapy is crucial because there is no cure for MS, but it is treatable and can be positively influenced with various therapies.

Causes and risk factors

The exact causes of the disease are still unclear, but a malfunction of the immune system, which could be caused by environmental factors or genetic predispositions, is suspected to be the trigger. There is evidence that previous infection with the Epstein-Barr virus increases the risk of MS. In addition, vitamin D levels also play a role, as people in temperate climates often have lower vitamin D levels and may therefore be at higher risk of the disease.

The German Multiple Sclerosis Society (DMSG) and its Amsel regional association in Baden-Württemberg offer valuable information and regular meetings for those affected in order to improve their quality of life and provide support. Society plays an important role in educating and networking people with MS and their relatives.

For Michael Vogel and many others, it is important to accept the disease and face the challenges with the best strategies available. Although MS is not contagious and not necessarily fatal, it remains a chronic disease that has a lasting impact on the lives of those affected. Nevertheless, positive interaction and a supportive community can help to significantly improve the quality of life.