By Yvette F. Cabrera-Rojas, as told to Rachel Reiff Ellis
I was diagnosed with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) over 35 years ago.
At the time of my diagnosis and for the next several years, there wasn’t a single treatment option available for the disease, which destroys the insulation surrounding your nerves in “flares” that come and go, causing a host of symptoms including pain, fatigue, problems walking, and more.
Those early days of my RMS were filled with uncertainty for what was to come.
Since then, the world of MS treatment has exploded. Starting with the introduction of interferon beta-1b in 1994, we have approximately two dozen MS treatment options, not including those in the pipeline waiting for FDA approval.
Today's multiple RMS therapies offer peace of mind and empowerment for those of us living with the condition.
Finding Hope in Scientific Progress
My newly diagnosed self didn’t know what my future was going to look like. Things felt bleak and directionless. Other than bombarding you with steroids, there wasn’t much doctors could do to ease your symptoms.
I wondered how my life was going to turn out. What I didn’t know then that I know now is that MS advancements were coming.
There are constant breakthroughs by the MS community. Research is accelerating in discovering what causes MS, medically managing MS, and even finding a cure.
What we know today, and what we have available in treatment options, are due to advancements in science. Disease-modifying therapies are readily available that change the course of RMS in your body. Certain treatment plans can be individually tailored to manage your specific symptoms.
Some current conversations in the medical and scientific MS communities excite me.
The original criteria to establish a diagnosis of RMS is about to change after more than 20 years. Simply put, providers will now be able to diagnose without clinical symptoms if someone has other findings, including new MRI features to look for in making a diagnosis.
We’re also looking at therapies in the pipeline for secondary progressive MS (SPMS). The MS medical community is trying to optimize the functionality of MS patients through assessing factors like biomarkers and their relevance.
We’ve come so far in the last 25 years. Think what could be possible 25 years from now.
Transforming Anxiety With Action
My experience with RMS extends beyond the personal.
As director of the Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center, I focus on helping people and families living with MS find ways to enhance their quality of life through a variety of resources and community support.
I have a particular interest in getting out there and informing the MS community about all the valuable resources available to assist them in the management of this disease. I’m an advocate for a comprehensive approach to care. It’s my life’s work.
If you’ve been recently diagnosed with MS, I recommend contacting your local chapter of the National MS Society to register and obtain up-to-date information on MS, as well as request medical provider information in your area. Find a neurologist specializing in MS, not just general neurology. These specialists are better informed on the constant medical and research updates on the disease and treatments.
Another excellent resource is the Consortium of MS Centers. This organization is for medical professionals, but offers a list of MS Centers and MS providers throughout the U.S.
Lastly, I suggest the MS Foundation and the MS Association of America (MSAA) as informative nonprofit organizations offering educational programs, resources, and assistance for living with MS.
I believe attitude is everything and sets the course for your life. If you’re starting your journey with MS, don’t let it define who you are.
Have faith, be proactive in your care and management, and live your life. Eat healthy, exercise, stay active, be informed, and practice gratitude. Be gentle with yourself. Focus on what you can do, not what you cannot.
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SOURCE:
Yvette F. Cabrera-Rojas, director, Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center.
