MY MS JOURNEY
I was diagnosed with remitting relapsing multiple sclerosis in the summer of 2017. I went to the doctor after a couple episodes of severe vertigo, spasms in my legs and an increased weakness on my right side. The vertigo got so bad on some days that I couldn't drive and if I just barely opened my eyes, I would get so nauseous and just throw up. The leg spasms were super fun too. I'd be laying in bed and my legs would just completely twitch. I started to feel like I was in that game "Operation." I felt like someone was zapping me and it would cause this crazy spasm. It was ridiculous. Then the weakness on my right side became noticeable to others. I couldn't run. And I had just completed the physical examination for our local police academy. I was in the best shape ever. I was strong, running every day... and then one day, I went to go running and fell flat on my face. Later I would learn that in times of a flare up, my brain just doesn't communicate to my legs that I want to run. I was crushed. And I've worn glasses since I was around twelve so I have never had great vision. But I started realizing huge changes in my vision. Within six months, I had to have my prescription changed three times. It was all just devastating.
I went through weeks of testing. Blood tests. MRI. Finally a spinal tap to confirm that I did not have Lyme disease, but that I did in fact, have MS. As I worked with my doctors to try and figure out how and when I might have gotten MS, we figured out that I most likely got it while I was pregnant with my third, my sweet Lola. Our blood types were fighting each other throughout the whole pregnancy. The doctor's were shocked when I made it to the tenth week because they said those who experience such a battle between blood types, often times the mother's body will destroy the baby. And although Lola survived and came out healthy as can be, at some point, the blood-brain barrier might have been weakened and compromised. Immune cells then crossed over and those cells started the attack on the myelin around the nerves.
And there ya have it. MS in a nutshell.
When I first found out I had MS, I wanted to cry but I was also grateful that I finally had something confirmed. But then the fear set it. I was and still am, a single mom of three kids. I can't be sick. I can't have something that could knock me off my feet. And although I have gotten it primarily under control, there are days where I worry about what my MS could look like in the future.
So far, I have tried a couple of common treatments, Tysabri and Ocrevus. Most recently, I tried a series of steroid shots which definitely shortened my flare up, but made me ridiculously sick. I take a crazy amount of vitamins, I love those cute little packs that come from the company Care/Of. I take a B-Complex vitamin, Rhodiola, Ashwagandha, Calcium Plus, a probiotic blend, and magnesium. I eat really healthy and clean. I try to stick to a version of Keto, it helps with inflammation and reduces body fat. I do still run when my body allows it. I like to walk outside and do yoga. I'm hoping to add in some light weights soon just to help with increasing my strength. I am always freezing though and that is a real pain. Sometimes, I swear, I get so cold that my body just can't regulate itself. So I end up in a bathtub of boiling water. Hey... ya gotta do what ya gotta do! Weather and stress cause me the most trouble. This past flare up came on right after I had a slight sinus infection. So as a mom with three young kids, you can only imagine how big of a germ freak I have become! Hand sanitizer for days!!!!!
I'm alive though. I like to say that I am surviving and kinda thriving with MS. And I will continue to survive and keep finding ways to thrive. I'm committed to finding ways to beat this. And yes, I know I will most likely never see a cure for MS in my lifetime, but there are ways to fight and move forward. Talking and sharing is something I can do! MS isn't a death sentence for me. In fact, MS forces me to slow down and if you know me, I am not really the "slow down" type. I like to go go go and collapse at the end of a day! MS forces me to take care of myself. It forces me to make healthy choices because I know that a series of unhealthy choices can cause me to be out of commission for an unknown period of time. I will never let MS take over my life. EVER!
If you have MS, just know that you aren't alone. There is a huge community of us. The app "MS BUDDY" is a great way to start to introduce and involve yourself into the MS community. There are groups in most cities that can be found online. But by just letting others know of your diagnosis, you will be shocked when you learn who in your very own circle might have MS, or someone they are close to! You do not have to go through this alone. Reach out and you will find support.
Much love to all of you. We are in this together!
Xoxo
Jess
I went through weeks of testing. Blood tests. MRI. Finally a spinal tap to confirm that I did not have Lyme disease, but that I did in fact, have MS. As I worked with my doctors to try and figure out how and when I might have gotten MS, we figured out that I most likely got it while I was pregnant with my third, my sweet Lola. Our blood types were fighting each other throughout the whole pregnancy. The doctor's were shocked when I made it to the tenth week because they said those who experience such a battle between blood types, often times the mother's body will destroy the baby. And although Lola survived and came out healthy as can be, at some point, the blood-brain barrier might have been weakened and compromised. Immune cells then crossed over and those cells started the attack on the myelin around the nerves.
And there ya have it. MS in a nutshell.
When I first found out I had MS, I wanted to cry but I was also grateful that I finally had something confirmed. But then the fear set it. I was and still am, a single mom of three kids. I can't be sick. I can't have something that could knock me off my feet. And although I have gotten it primarily under control, there are days where I worry about what my MS could look like in the future.
So far, I have tried a couple of common treatments, Tysabri and Ocrevus. Most recently, I tried a series of steroid shots which definitely shortened my flare up, but made me ridiculously sick. I take a crazy amount of vitamins, I love those cute little packs that come from the company Care/Of. I take a B-Complex vitamin, Rhodiola, Ashwagandha, Calcium Plus, a probiotic blend, and magnesium. I eat really healthy and clean. I try to stick to a version of Keto, it helps with inflammation and reduces body fat. I do still run when my body allows it. I like to walk outside and do yoga. I'm hoping to add in some light weights soon just to help with increasing my strength. I am always freezing though and that is a real pain. Sometimes, I swear, I get so cold that my body just can't regulate itself. So I end up in a bathtub of boiling water. Hey... ya gotta do what ya gotta do! Weather and stress cause me the most trouble. This past flare up came on right after I had a slight sinus infection. So as a mom with three young kids, you can only imagine how big of a germ freak I have become! Hand sanitizer for days!!!!!
I'm alive though. I like to say that I am surviving and kinda thriving with MS. And I will continue to survive and keep finding ways to thrive. I'm committed to finding ways to beat this. And yes, I know I will most likely never see a cure for MS in my lifetime, but there are ways to fight and move forward. Talking and sharing is something I can do! MS isn't a death sentence for me. In fact, MS forces me to slow down and if you know me, I am not really the "slow down" type. I like to go go go and collapse at the end of a day! MS forces me to take care of myself. It forces me to make healthy choices because I know that a series of unhealthy choices can cause me to be out of commission for an unknown period of time. I will never let MS take over my life. EVER!
If you have MS, just know that you aren't alone. There is a huge community of us. The app "MS BUDDY" is a great way to start to introduce and involve yourself into the MS community. There are groups in most cities that can be found online. But by just letting others know of your diagnosis, you will be shocked when you learn who in your very own circle might have MS, or someone they are close to! You do not have to go through this alone. Reach out and you will find support.
Much love to all of you. We are in this together!
Xoxo
Jess
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