The Battle Rages On

I haven't written anything in quite awhile. It's difficult to write when your body is raging a battle against itself. That is what happens when you have Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Your immune system attacks the myelin (the insulation on the nerve fibers and axions), slowing signals down and causing the body to receive scrambled signals.

There is no cure for MS. There are a number of treatments. Each treatment is targeted to prevent the continuing deterioration of the myelin. I have tried 4 different MS disease modifying drugs (DMD's). The longest amount of time that I was able to tolerate any of these 4 drugs was 5 weeks. The shortest amount of time was 1 injection. The last one that I tolerated for 5 weeks brought out a fast growing squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer) on my arm. In 2 weeks, it grew to 2.5cm x 7.4cm.

My neurologist tells me that my symptoms are getting worse because my MS has been active for 2 years. Of course, I have not been able to tolerate any of the 4 DMD's we've tried. He tells me that it's time to try Ocrevus. It is an infusion that was approved by the FDA just this year. I have received both half infusions ( the first dose is split in half). I tolerated it remarkably well.
![1025170838.jpg]
()
I have noticed a bit more difficulty with my balance, walking, swallowing, and remembering words. Other MS'ers say that their neuro's told them they have to gove it a year. The Ocrevus kills off the B-cells or something in that nature. We MS'ers may appear drunk in our walk, stance, and speech. Yet, we are as sober as you. I often forget where I am, I no longer panic...I no it will pass soon. We live with pain that often indescrible. We are WARRIORS!