MS

Understanding MS:

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, MS is defined as” involving an immune mediated process in which an abnormal response of the body’s immune system is directed against the central nervous system.” This is system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Within this system the disease causes inflammation that damages the myelin (the fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the nerve fibers, as well as the nerves themselves and the cells that make myelin).  So now when the myelin is damaged or destroyed in MS, messages that are within the CNS are extremely altered or stopped completely. When this damage occurs a variety of neurological symptoms will happen but they vary among those with MS. These damaged areas will develop scar tissue, which is where the name of the disease comes from; there are multiple areas of scarring. Sadly the cause of MS is not known at this time but it is believed to involve abnormalities in the immune system. 

            There are four different types of MS that people can be diagnosed with when they finally get the answer that they have MS. The first is referred to as Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS). CIS is seen as the first episode of neurologic symptoms that is caused by inflammation and demyelination in the CNS. The episode must last at least 24 hours, but the rest of the symptoms don’t’ fall into the category of what MS is defined by. This is the first step in figuring out if someone has MS, there are times though people can have this episode and not develop MS. So CIS is a rarer form of MS and most people who are diagnosed with MS will not fall into this early category. The second type of MS is the most common form that MS there is. The second category is Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) and it is characterized by clearly defined attacks of new or increasing neurologic symptoms. The relapses are followed by periods of partial or almost complete recovery, which is a remission. During these remissions most or all the symptoms disappear and there is no apparent progression of the disease. This second type of MS has moments of active relapses and worsening of the symptoms. The third type of MS is Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS). This follows the RRMS and most people with RRMS will eventually transition into SPMS. SPMS is defined by the worsening of symptoms to the point where they become permanent, it’s an accumulation of disability. SPMS is also defined by the fact that the disease can progress without there being a full relapse. The fourth and final type is Primary Progressive MS (PPMS). This is characterized by the worsening of the neurological functions. The accumulation of disability is seen without early relapses or remissions. 

            There are disease-modifying drugs that are available for each type off MS. In fact within each type there are several different types of drugs that can help keep the symptoms from progressing. There is no cure for MS, there is no real understanding about how one would get MS and as of now there is no drug that stops all symptoms. MS is a disease that is unpredictable and no two people will have the exact symptoms, which is why it is referred to as the snowflake disease. It takes a process to get diagnosed and the doctors have to rule out so many other autoimmune diseases in order to get to this diagnosis. I exhibited symptoms from an early age and no one was able to tell me why I had all these issues. I was only treated for the symptoms themselves and no one could get to the bottom of what was happening. Finally one day I was having migraines so frequently that I had to have an MRI done to see what was going on inside my brain. Well the MRI showed that my brain was full of lesions and scars. 

I was in the hospital with pneumonia and the doctors looked over my MRI and called in a neurologist who specialized in MS. I had several more MRI’s, CT scans, X-rays and finally a spinal tap to get diagnosed. After my diagnosis I started on my first drug to keep my symptoms at bay. So my diagnosis came on May 3,2012 and I have been living with MS since that moment in time. I am on a new medicine regime for my MS and each day is a learning experience as to how my MS is going to affect my life and me. I have good days and bad days and I take them each as they come. My stable symptoms as I call them, the ones that are with me constantly range from leg pain to memory fog and those can vary in their severity but they are the ones that I deal with most every day. MS has not been fully researched to the point that we have all the answers but I am lucky that I have an amazing group of doctors that are fighting right along side me in this battle.