SPMS Case Study-During the 1980's the scene was set for an extremely dramatic change
in my lifestyle.
I was born before the Pearl Harbour incident yet was still playing to a reasonable
standard in four sports - hockey, cricket, squash and tennis. That decade saw me
experience severe small-of-the- back spasms every two years or so, often triggered
off by the sudden release of stressful pressure at work. No-one knew what it was
but it would put me in bed for a couple of days, then back to work and sport.
In 1989 I suffered one major stress too many and, one morning I couldn't get out
of bed. I felt partially paralysed. Three years later I was in a wheelchair. This
didn't stop me working - with the help of a stair-climbing wheelchair! Life became
more difficult and I retired from full-time work in 1994, returning to part-time
right up to the present albeit on a very minor scale. This incredible change, from
being highly active to sedentary, caused me to rethink my whole strategy on survival.
Old hobbies re-surfaced and introduced me to a wide range of new friends and it encouraged
me to write three books (on cricket, hockey and the Victorian railway scene).
So life stuttered on.
I read about Aimspro in the media in January 2004 and a little later that year articles
appeared in ‘New Pathways’ the MSRC house magazine. I made an immediate decision.
I began treatment as an "informed patient" early in April, 2004. For the next three
weeks my body responded as if it was ‘all over the place'. Wild swings between extremes.
The stiff legs would flop, the bladder played silly devils (but I was assured that
it was only temporary for a fortnight or so-and it was) and the forearm and finger
pains intensified then cleared up-to this day! I felt as if I was going back through
some of my MS symptoms experienced on the way down.
My strength improved dramatically, especially in the legs. Standing at, and up from
the toilet was a much more ‘enjoyable’ exercise, my legs were much less stiff when
being loaded into the car to my wife’s delight, and my right hand became a bit stronger.
This enabled my to continue driving (I drove the car 30 miles in one journey last
week, the furthest on my own all year!).
The increased leg strength enticed me into trying to climb the stairs once more.
Hey presto-success! It’s a long time since my wife was that ecstatic on the stairs!
20 times so far (climbing the stairs that is). Tiredness subsided and I began to
venture out in the evenings, an unheard of activity for 2-3 years. Four times in
three weeks including a wedding reception till 11 pm and giving a lecture to 50 people
for over an hour. By the end of May the future looked rosy.
Then I suffered a recurrence of my chronic virus coupled with an unwanted stress,
which caused old ‘flu-like’ symptoms to return. This knocked further improvement
on the head. The hot summer didn’t help but, with the addition of a lounge air conditioner
and Aimspro, I survived remarkably well, still climbing the stairs. That was not
possible during the Aug 03 heat wave.
Present signs show I am improving once more. My case is complicated by the virus
(it seems to cause inflammation in the spinal cord (I love that like a dead rat)
making me a slow responder. However, stronger arms, right leg, bowels, abdominal
muscles and even reading the papers without specs (the same ones since 1991) leave
me feeling there is a future.
One superb bonus is that this treatment has reduced the stress in my wife, so deserved.
I have found that my energy levels eventually begin to build up, leaving me more
lively, mentally alert and lucid.
Bladder and Bowel Control.
An important improvement that often seems to occur is associated with bladder and
bowel control. The use of Aimspro over a period of time appears to help me control
better lost function in this embarrassing area..
Many different improvements.
As well as general energy, bladder and bowel improvements I have noted some of the
following specific differences too:-
Improved sleeping and ability to move in bed.
Reduction in or elimination of spasms, shaking, pins and needles or inner ear itching.
Better fine movement with hands and fingers – ability to hold a pen, to use a computer
keyboard, to paint and sew once more as well as longer periods of concentration.
Reduced clumsiness – neither dropping nor mishandling items as frequently.
Becoming better able to feed and dress myself or to move into or out of my wheel
chair with greater confidence.
Reduction in pain.
Recovery of dropped foot.
Restoration of the ability to perform some sensible exercises without over-doing
things.
Stiff limbs and torso feeling looser.
This is how it helps me.
Keeping Track.
Many of these benefits can creep up over time, so I have found it very useful to
create a system for daily recording of symptoms in order to monitor progress. These
range from number- or colour-coded graph-type spreadsheet-based systems or diaries
to visual records using a camcorder.
The first entry in these diaries is always the pre treatment condition, giving a
baseline snapshot of symptoms. Then comparisons can be made against my original symptoms
before starting the treatment, as well as against those of the previous week or month.
I have found it most useful to include the whole range of symptoms in my diary and
not just the obvious ones. Often it is only after a few weeks or even months that
changes have been experienced by myself. Back To Top
A word of warning!
The immune system, however, is a delicate structure and is easily unbalanced in our
circumstances. Experience has shown that, if I do too much too soon, my immune system
may be put under too much strain. Then it is likely to break down again. Give the
immune system a chance to strengthen.
The Heat.
Generally, I try to try to keep as cool as possible, even if it is uncomfortably
cold (a really good air conditioning system is ideal but they are expensive). Which
lessens the heat problems I experience over time.
