It has been more than one year since I started Kesimpta treatment and almost 16 months since my RR-MS diagnosis. I am due for an annual checkup with my neuro and MS in focus. The report so far? Smooth sailing! I did not have any relapses since the beginning of the treatment. This was further reassured by two MRI scans in 2022, six months apart, that showed no new lesions or disease progression!

On top of that, I feel fantastic, which I ascribe partly to a lower stress level thanks to the adjustment to the new situation, the realization that this is not the end of the world, and more confidence that I can do this. I guess this is a familiar feeling for other MS warriors as I can often see proclamations that the first year after MS diagnosis is very different than any period of living with the disease later.

Admittedly, it hasn’t been a walk in the park, but it’s been a fun-filled year. Two European escapades were thrown into the mix. Before each journey, there was a concern about potential diet changes and sleep disruptions due to time zone jumps. Ironically, the bigger worry turned out to be managing medication logistics and MS nuances. For example, the travel override to get my medication ahead of a trip can only be used once a year.

Luckily, everything fell into place, and no dose was missed. However, this could be challenging for extended journeys longer than two months. Maybe I should later switch to a different medication; Ocrevus, which only needs to be taken twice a year, albeit by infusion in a hospital. Other than that, Ocrevus consists of the same stuff as Kesimpta, from what I can see.

Travel and Family Reunion

During my travels, I got a chance to spend a week in southern Italy by the sea, which was awesome. I was, of course, worried about the heat there as that might cause some temporary MS-related problems. I got a chance to meet with my family there, including my sister, who was diagnosed with MS a year before me, and her extended Italian family.

All in all, this was a great family reunion. Everything was going swimmingly until my sister got in trouble with her MS. She had to spend two weeks in hospital and got stuck in Italy. In the end, she was OK, but this was a significant setback and distress for everyone. The conclusion was that this was not a real relapse, probably just because of the heat and dehydration.

We could have taken some precautions. For example, having a medical history or at least some kind of summary on hand so the local doctors could target their help better. For my sister, everything is more difficult because her MS symptoms can be severe, adding even more complexity beyond what I have ever heard about MS. Maybe I will get a chance to write more about this some other time.

Evening walks were more pleasant in southern Italy. The heat of the day is not good for MS.  

Outlook for Next Annual MS Checkup

This experience served as a reminder to approach travel with MS more cautiously. While completing the trip boosted my confidence, future endeavors will require meticulous planning. My annual MS checkup and review endorsed the continuation of Kesimpta as the chosen DMT. A visit to my primary care physician highlighted the positive impacts of diet and exercise, shedding a cool 10 pounds. However, the struggle with high triglycerides and cholesterol persists. I need to deliver more action on that front – stay tuned for updates!