Embrace Your Destiny: The ABC's of MS Drug Therapy

Medicine box for Techfidera

The first thing my neurologist asked me to do was to select my drug therapy. Drug therapies I have since learned are extremely important to start as soon as being diagnosed. Why? Because it's critical to stop or slow down progression of the disease. There is no cure. My biggest regret is not going for a diagnosis earlier. Research reports that patients who do not go on drug therapy, usually need some assistance for walking within fifteen years. 

Embrace Your Destiny: Take on Piano Lessons

Starting my lesson with Annett

My destiny has taken a big right turn for the better during the past three years. I consider physical and other therapies to be my work. This work is not laborious or tedious. It's actually stimulating and fun to do, but it takes time. It's worth it! I believe that I am 90% better now than I was at the beginning of the journey 17 years ago. Why, you would ask? My evidence is this:

My walking has improved to become less spastic and more fluid and strong.
Pain and stiffness in the hips and leg joints is minimal and mostly just after sitting.
I am quicker doing routine activities around the house.
I have learned to handle stress through breathing.
I have energy again.

I believe that all the alternative therapies I do are working together to support my immune system, my neuromuscular system, my digestive system, skeletal system, and mental systems. For example, I have been taking piano lessons for three years. When I started, I discovered that my fingers were as spastic as my legs and arms. I had no idea the spasticity extended into the hands. I should have figured that out because my handwriting had really deteriorated significantly.  The regular, daily practice of piano is slowly improving this area of spasticity. I believe the physical therapy work I do has helped looses the shoulders which helps keep the hands soft and pliable. I am grateful that I am able to do piano therapy. My neurologist said it is recommended as a therapy, but he had another patient who didn't have enough strength in her fingers to work the piano keys.

My piano teacher, Annett Hudson, patiently works with me to identify problems and how to correct them. Music is the tool. We work on technique more than anything else now. Each piece I work on requires something a bit different. Some of the specific, fundamental things she reminds me of every week are:

• Keeping my fingers moved up into the black notes
• Relaxing my hands and keeping a dome shape when playing
• Relaxing my arms and using them to help press the finger on the key

The music pieces are fun to work on and challenging. I'm convinced that playing the piano works my brain in a way nothing else does. It's also a great stress reducer. Annett keeps talking about doing a recital next Spring. The jury is still out on that challenge. I've got a long way to go before feeling ready to perform!

Embrace Your Destiny: Strength Training with Lacey

Before going to the more complex and stressful topic of drug therapies, I want to tell you how enthused I am about my new strength training regime. My goal is to work with my trainer, Lacey one hour a week. Supplementing that I will go on my own at least once  more per week. Some weeks maybe more.

For seniors over 65 on Medicare, the Silver Sneakers program is free. We found a new, beautiful Gold's Gym just across the street from my Hot Yoga Studio. Every time Lacey introduces me to new apparatuses like the big cable machine, she shows me how to work the machine and do the exercise properly. Safety is her mantra, I'm sure. She always asks if I got sore. I answer "no". She starts with small weights. I tell her if we can go up or down.

After four lessons, numerous practice sessions on my own, I can report definite improvement. How you ask? Here is what I know:

• I am not getting fatigued standing to cook late in the afternoon.
• I haven't fallen in standing poses at yoga.
• My core balance is helping me get dressed easier. 
• My walking is improving. It's not as jerky and the toe tapping is rare.

Since my goal is better walking, more endurance, and improved core strength, I'm happy with these results. Yes, it takes time but I figure this is my work, my job and it's really kinda fun!

We'll do more serious stuff next time.

Embrace Your Destiny: Knowledge is Power

Speaking at Toastmasters

I was looking forward to retiring at 55 being healthy, active, and able to do most anything I wanted to do. When I started falling, losing my balance, dragging my right foot and stumbling a lot, I got concerned. What a surprise to be diagnosed with MS at age 50! I argued with my doctor that I was just too old for that disease. Well, after I calmed down and digested the facts he presented, I concluded that Multiple Sclerosis is not good. On the other hand he said it can be managed by me. Okay, I can do that. I set my goal to go after this disease with all the knowledge and positive will power I could muster and see what happens. I knew I could count on my family, my doctor, my colleagues at work and my church family as a strong support system. The rest was up to me.

It's been seventeen years now since I was diagnosed. In the beginning fatigue, pain, stiffness and spasticity and headaches were the norm. My walking was limited to short walks with very jerky motion. Now, I have great energy and vitality. My walking is almost a regular gait. I have eliminated my headache medicine and another medicine for movement. I would say I feel great 98% of the time. So what's the change? That's what this blog is about. 

Over 17 years, I've learned a lot about the disease and about me. My job now is managing me. I embrace the challenge of trying things that are safe, recommended for neurological diseases and especially MS, and fun. I will share what I've learned over time that has worked for me. I will also share my current adventures into some of the new alternative therapies I use for managing myself. Please join me and share your comments, and questions. The destiny begins with drug therapy which is the first big hurdle and decision.