Running to defeat MS (symptoms)

Long gaps between posts are a good thing. Lately I've been reading the book, "Curing MS" by Dr. Weiner. It's hard to read sometimes as the discussions are frank and the history of treatments for MS was essentially non-existant until the last 15 years. Even now there is a lot we don't know about how the treatments work. The drug that I'm on is an Interferon and they are used for treating viruses -- based on the hypothesis that MS was caused by a virus. I think it's clear now that it isn't, but the drugs are clinically proven to help. It looks like what happens is that it modifies the immune system, lowering production of bad T cells and increasing production of good T cells. For my own bookkeeping I'll discuss each symptom and how it has been behaving lately: Parasthesia -- seems to be creeping up slowly, similar to last year when it started in Jan. and progressed until my diagnosis and steroid treatment in Aug. Feet still hurt with the burning sens...

Will be trying to get out again the next two days for more snowboarding. This is a great trip since the condo was free, and there are 9 of us here for the week to ski/board. From an MS perspective, things continue to go well, the same problems exist that I do not think will go away -- numbness/burning in my toes and occasional bouts of parasthesia in my lower back/back of arms. It's not to the degree that it was BS (Before Solu-medrol) and I only notice it when I think about it. I am battling spasticity in my legs and back/neck nowadays, but exercise resolves it and stretching pushes it back a bit. At my recent visit to the MS clinic at the hospital the PT advised me to stretch with a routine -- I haven't started yet, I do it when I have time. Her thought and experience indicated that regular stretching routines at the same time each day are far more effective for most people. I'll do my best to follow her suggestions.

I have been struggling with spasticity in the backs of my legs the past week or so. It's just natural that as I get over the fevers caused by the Rebif that something new crops up. This isn't so bad as far as the spasticity I've felt Before Steroids. My legs are tight, but I don't have balance or walking problems... having to say something like that is pretty difficult, but there it is. My major concern is losing the ability to walk, my Neurologist always listens carefully when I describe any problems with my legs, or balance. But. The good news is that my recovery After Steroids has been remarkable. I only have a bare glimmer of pain/numbness in my toes, only periodic parasthesia in various place, but not in my legs at all. Kris and I went in for another visit with my Neuro just yesterday. Due to my complaints about stiff legs, even though I'm adhering to the stretching regimen provided by my therapist, was a concern. She proscribed Baclofen to help reli...

This was the first time my injection really hurt - and I mean it hurt like someone was seriously putting a big fat needle into my leg. Ouch!! I rubbed it extra long, this is a double size dosage compared to the first two weeks, and still half of what it will be long term. I hope it's not a sign of things to come... I'm guessing that I hit a muscle, instead of just under the skin. I'll call my Rebif Nurse tomorrow morning - I tried tonite but they are only open 8-8, a good reason to do my injection before 8 maybe. I wanted to take a chance to note one thing that has happened twice lately. My left middle finger has gone numb, novacaine-like numb. Once while sitting holding three kids while reading a book at the neighbors, and again while just watching TV. I"ll just have to keep an eye on it. The second is that for the past 4 days or so, I've been getting the chills all the time. For what seems like no apparent reason. People get the chills sometimes, but usu...

Wanted to take a moment to jot down my symptoms after spending lots of time with boy monster and mowing (half) the lawn: .. Some spasticity in both legs, mostly right quad - 3/6 .. Some pins & needles in both feet, toes are sore - 4/7 .. Numb skin both upper legs and lower back, maybe abdomen - 3/6 .. Headache 4 The headache just hasn't really gone away without the (addictive) fericet. The numbers represent my take on how they feel now vs. Before steroids. The most promising is absence of fatigue and the really bad balance and coordination. I don't miss that... I have yet to test myself with the 'eyes up walk on a straight line' test that I really struggled with. And I haven't tried striking a ball yet. One thing at a time.