Had my first neurology appointment today as a MS patient. I met with Dr. Fleming, who I had seen 5 years ago. He seemed to feel the need to explain why he missed my MS 5 years ago. I told him I completely understood. I mean I had symptoms that were very similar to migraines. The diagnoses then seemed to fit. This recent "flare-up" was a little worse and with the additional lesions on the MRI it was logical to check for MS, unlike 5 years ago.
Dr. Fleming is a big fan of analogies and described my MS this way: Imagine an iceberg. The very top is like people with obvious MS symptoms ( numbness, weakness, etc.). Under the water are like people who never have any symptoms and never really know they even have it. I'm at the water line. Just barely any symptoms. Of course this can change at anytime.
He sent me home with some information about current medications that may help manage or reduce MS flare-ups. He cautioned that theses info packets are basically advertisements and should be taken with a grain of salt.
He did prescribe Oxybutynin for my bladder. That's right folks, I am one of the luck MS people who constantly has to pee like every 2 hours. It's been such a problem that I can't get a full night's rest. I'm hoping this will help. He recommended that I cut the first dose in half (so my body can acclimate itself) and take it tomorrow morning while I'm having my morning tea and breakfast. Then keep track of how much time there is between potty breaks. You just had to know that right?! Then, if I'm happy with results, I can take it at night before bed since that is really the only time it's a problem for me.
He is also sending me some info on a current trial going on that I might be interested in. If I decide to do it I will have to drink worm eggs...eeewwww. Here is a pdf file link describing it.
It's does look promising. He said the reduction of lesions for some MS participants was 60%. That is very encouraging.
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