recently diagnosed with MS, struggling with optical neuritis, any tips for coping?

[FlaGranny]

6. I think I was about 60

when diagnosed, although I've had symptoms since I was a teenager. I have some balance problems, especially when I stand up to walk. It takes me a few steps to stop walking like a drunk. If I'm holding something in my hand I'll drop it unless I'm actually thinking about and making an effort to hold it, but my reflexes are actually quite good. The thing that causes me the most concern is swallowing difficulties. I can't eat without concentrating on swallowing. If I forget I choke and that can be frightening. I also have trouble articulating words and that is annoying to me. I'm very lucky that it progresses extremely slowly. Now that I'm 71 it is maybe a tiny bit worse than it was when I was diagnosed. My neurologist offered me treatment, but agrees that my MS is mild enough that, at my age, I can do without it and it is not likely to get much worse at this stage. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease, I will probably have to wait a year or two to see if the MS symptoms improve with treatment of the celiac.