Equipping People To Make Sense Of What They Are Told
Alice USA
How Multiple Sclerosis Has Changed My Life
MS Case Study -I was diagnosed in 1996, at age 42, with Multiple Sclerosis by testing
using a spinal tap and MRI (I am now 53), although I had had MS for many years before
my diagnosis. In my early 20’s, I started having achy joints in my left hip, knees
and right big toe. I tried many remedies, but nothing seemed to help for very long.
I just learned to live with the aches. Gradually the aches became more intense and
frequent and bowel and bladder problems began to manifest.
At age 35, I told my health professional about my symptoms, he ran tests and said
I was healthy, no problems. He told me to get a less stressful job and he gave me
Naproxen to take for the pain, but only if the pain was unbearable. So, I learned
to live with the pain. In 1996, I had a really bad bladder infection and it became
very difficult to walk. My walking was already getting stiff, but this was extreme.
I was fortunate in that my regular health professional was absent and another health
professional examined me. He suspected MS and sent me to a neurologist who confirmed
MS. I was totally surprised, having no knowledge of MS.
Avonex had just come out, so I started on that. I remained on Avonex for a year,
and stopped after that year because I felt that it was not helping me. I later tried
Copaxone and had unbearable headaches, so I stopped Copaxone.
I have tried many different treatments and medications since my diagnosis, but none
of much help. If I do get a good result, it seems to wear off within two weeks of
starting it. When I first started fish oil in 1997, it seemed to work to stop the
joint pain. Then an alternative health professional told me to stop the fish oil
because it was contaminated with mercury and toxins, so I stopped it. After I underwent
chelation (1998) for removal of heavy metals, the fish oil would no longer relieve
the joint pain.
All these treatments, as well as many others, have been very costly for me. I estimate
I have paid over $20,000 on treatments, health professional visits and medications
myself, not including what my insurance has paid out. I estimate my insurance has
paid out over $100,000 on my behalf for medications, health professional visits and
treatments for the past 11 years since my diagnosis.
Just before I was diagnosed with MS, I was very fortunate to have secured employment
with an organization that automatically insures all employees with Disability Insurance.
I would never have thought to insure myself for disability; however, I left work
on disability in 2004. I have been using a cane full-time since 2000, and now use
a rollator (walking frame with wheels and handbrakes).
I came across information concerning Aimspro in November, 2004, and was very excited!
The treatment was for my kind of MS, progressive, with no relapses. I have used 30
injections of the drug this year, although not consecutively. I find that it works
much better when I inject it every 4 – 5 days. It works to relieve the arthritis-like
joint pains and swelling, thereby enabling me to walk better, although I still use
a rollator for short distances and a scooter for long distances. And I do find that
Aimspro elevates my mood, I feel more positive and energetic.
I have not gotten this degree of relief from any other medication for MS that I have
tried. I am looking forward to the day when the treatment is available in the USA
and is paid for by the insurance companies.
