Ellen Campbell- Grizzle
MARION NOTICED the tingling sensation in her left leg and numbness in her hand 10 years before the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) was made. She lived through a patchwork of symptoms and a battery of tests long before her physicians put the pieces together. This scenario is not unusual for the diagnosis of MS because of the sheer diversity of the early mild and often
transient symptoms that resemble a multitude of disorders.
Persons living with MS describe changes in sensations, visual problems, muscle weakness, depression, loss of bladder control, dizziness, pain and difficulties with walking, clumsiness and halting speech. Symptoms may differ from one individual to the next. Estimates suggest that there are 2.5 million people living with MS and that women are twice as likely to be affected than men.
WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?
MS is a lifelong chronic disease diagnosed primarily in young adults between the ages of 20 and 40 who retain a virtually normal life expectancy. Conse-quently, the economic, social, and medical costs associated with the disease are significant. Estimates place the minimum annual cost of purchasing medication to treat MS in Jamaica in excess of $1 million per patient.
Scientists have learnt a great deal about MS in recent years. However, its cause remains elusive. Many investigators believe MS to be an autoimmune disease - one in which the body, through its immune system, launches a defensive attack against its own tissues. The détente between the body and its immune system goes awry. The immune system wrongly identifies parts of the body as a foreign threat and declares war.
In the case of MS, it is the nerve-insulating myelin that comes under assault. This may be linked to an unknown environmental trigger, perhaps a virus. Multiple sclerosis can range from relatively benign, limited disability to devastating as communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. There are also different forms of the disease.
TREATMENT HAS CHANGED
Twenty years ago, people like Marion faced a hopeless future of long confinement to a wheelchair within 30 years of diagnosis. People with MS do not know if they will feel ill or well from one day to the next. This constant unpredictability made holding a job very challenging. However, in the last decade, treatment has changed dramatically. There is still no cure but disease-modifying drugs now slow the progression and control symptoms of the disease.
There are advantages and disadvantages among the currently available treatment options. If you have been diagnosed with MS, talk to your physician about the choices available. Diet, exercise, mental exercise and lifestyle changes are also important. Affected persons extol the value of family, friends and support groups. Remember, you must conserve your energy and simplify your work plan. Pace yourself appropriately.
Your experience with MS may vary. Keep a positive outlook. Remember, be optimistic about your reality and take reasonable steps to live as best as you can.
10 tips from Marion
1. Plan and set priorities for a balanced day.
2. Sit when you can
3. Take frequent breaks and naps to refresh yourself
4. Avoid heat or activities that expose you to warm weather
5. Slide objects instead of lifting them
6. Lay out your work and storage areas within reach
7. Arrange work equipment to allow for the best sequence of action
8. Eliminate unnecessary tasks
9. Avoid rushing and stress
10. Stay away from toxic persons
Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, president, Caribbean Association of Pharmacists; director, Information and Research, National Council on Drug Abuse; email:yourhealth @gleanerjm.com.
