If you’re newly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I’m happy to give you my number with the understanding that you may never call me because: A) I’m a stranger B) You’ll probably spend the next 6 months scouring the internet and come across a plethora of amazing and downright dangerous suggestions that you’ll try before calling…
Category: Symptoms / Side Effects
Cognitive Load
When you have a condition that affects mobility, traveling anywhere involves planning, research and in some cases stress-induced, ingenuity. Normally when I attend a Politics and Prose book reading it’s held at Sixth and I. This historic DC venue is one I’ve scoped out, mastered and feel comfortable navigating either via car or public transportation….
2017: Cautious Optimism Or Reckless Certainty?
A few months ago I was frustrated by my continued gait dysfunction. No matter which medications I’ve taken (Copaxone, Tysabri, Ampyra, Low Dose Naltrexone), therapies I’ve attempted (yoga, Feldenkrais, Anat Baniel Method, physical therapy, myofascial release, basic calisthenics), or medical equipment I’ve purchased (AFOs, foot drop braces, canes), my walking was going to shit. I’d…
Day 33: Failing to Give Up Something for Lent
Although I thought about giving up carbs, sugar, snacks, and even wine, I’ve decided that this year instead of giving something up, I’m vowing to do more. For the next 40 days I’m going to try like hell to eat the 5 recommended fruits and vegetables and drink 5 glasses of water. Although I love…
Day 32: Failing to Understand Trauma
Until recently, when I heard the word trauma, I thought of big, excruciatingly painful instances like rape, natural disasters, torture or soldiers suffering from PTSD. I never thought of myself as a trauma survivor but now that I know more about the body’s stress response system, I understand that everyone on the planet has been effected…
Day 27: Failing at Tysabri
Tysabri (Natalizumab) is for sure, the most spectacular drug failure that I’ve experienced. But first a little background information. Drugs, like all medical procedures, fall on a continuum. Because doctors in general want to first do no harm, whenever possible you are offered options with the least amount of side effects. It’s when those options fail…
Day 26: Failing at Ampyra
The second drug I failed to find success with was Ampyra, otherwise known as The Walking Drug. Per Drug.com, Ampyra (dalfampridine) is a potassium channel blocker used to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Dalfampridine produced an increase in walking speed in clinical trials. Exactly how it works is not known. It is thought…
Day 25: Failing at Copaxone
I used to have a $100 a day drug habit and I wasn’t a drug addict. The first disease modifying drug I was prescribed after my MS diagnosis was Copaxone, which was wonderful for the first three years I was on it. Although it seemed to have magical powers, sadly, it stopped working just as mysteriously. My first…
