This is a story describing the events surrounding my diagnosis with multiple sclerosis (MS), and my struggles accepting the possibility of living with an incurable chronic disease for the rest of my life

My family’s back, and that whole vertigo thing? Forgotten in no time. Besides some occasional cramps in my face, which I just blamed on stress, I was cruising along, thinking my health was in great shape.

I was on a fitness streak for the next couple of years. I ran about twenty miles a week, hit the trails for mountain biking in the summer, and shredded the slopes in the winter. Then, BAM! COVID-19 crashed the party. We were stuck at home, no traveling, but I continued my exercise routine even though ski resorts were closed for part of the 2019/2020 season.

So, the summer of 2021 rolls around, and things look great until my head starts spinning again. It wasn’t as bad as three years back, but it sure felt like déjà vu. It took about a week for the vertigo to clear up, but I knew I needed to see a doctor. My first thought? Maybe it’s a blood clot or something serious. My doctor agreed, and we set up a magnetic resonance imaging (MRA) appointment to check for brain issues or a tumor.

The scans showed nothing unusual, but we decided I should visit a neurologist. After listening to my symptoms, the neurologist suggested an MRI focusing on the nervous system.

The MS Diagnosis

A week later, I got a call from the neurologist. Multiple sclerosis? What? My sister was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) a year earlier, but her symptoms were way different and much tougher. I did not know much about MS right after the diagnosis, but I knew I was dealing with an incurable chronic disease that was probably going to stay with me for the rest of my life.

At the neurologist appointment, I learned I had the relapsing-remitting type of MS. Symptoms could come and go in a matter of days, and in between, I’d be fine. The catch? Untreated, it could get a lot worse over time. I was offered a range of treatment options but was assured my symptoms wouldn’t get much worse.

“Okay, mild problems like the flu that go away in a week? I can handle that,” I thought.

Unexpected Setback

Things started looking up, but two weeks later, my left side decided to take a break. I could walk, but it was more of a limp. My left hand? Not great for precision tasks like typing.

I tried to go for a run a few times, and it was miserable. Things improved, but it took a couple of weeks to run at my usual pace before the MS relapse.

That second relapse was a wake-up call. MS was no joke, and it could target any part of my body at any time.

I was determined to take the most effective treatment available to me and slow the disease’s progression. With my neurologist, we discussed three treatment options, including high-efficacy immuno-therapy. Given my job, I was familiar with novel immuno-therapies for cancer, and I knew it was my best bet.

I didn’t hesitate for a minute. We checked for dormant viruses, found none, and started treatment with antibodies suppressing certain B-lymphocytes, which were causing my immune system to attack my nerve’s myelin.

In the meantime, I became a bit of an MS expert through my research. I discovered that without treatment, there’s a 50% chance of transitioning from relapsing-remitting to secondary progressive MS within about ten years.

Picture it like a downward slide, starting with a cane and inevitably leading to the intimidating realm of a wheelchair—I’m just not ready for that scene.

I Must Fight

So, I declared with unwavering determination, “I’m steering clear of that wheelchair!” Yet, beneath the surface, I acknowledge that fate has its own game plan for me, and the wheelchair might be a real contender. I am amazed and inspired by the incredible bravery and resilience of other MS warriors and anyone embracing life with an unyielding spirit despite the challenges.

I delved into research to maximize my chances. Turns out, there are various strategies to slow down this MS beast. A healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, a good diet, and the evolution of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) have significantly improved the outlook for MS patients over the past 30 years.

I felt mildly optimistic, knowing there are many ways to tackle this disease and stay on top of it. Read more on my awakening here.