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MS: EXACERBATION!!!!!

© S. W. Hussey

Sometimes, we are our own worst enemies. I was having all sorts of weird symptoms: fatigue, blurred vision, trouble speaking what my brain was thinking, etc. This all occurred on a Saturday, when I spent 4 hours grocery shopping, unloading the car, putting the groceries away....in other words, doing way too much. I ignored my symptoms and I am here to tell you, DO NOT DO THIS!!!!!

The next day, Sunday, I woke unable to move. I was a torso without any arms and legs able to move. There was a constant buzzing inside my head and I was not doing well at all. I actually tricked myself (talk about denial) into a possible virus or flu. I remained in bed all day, unable to cope with my illness, however, I was FORCED to rest.

On Monday, I called my neurologist, explained my symptoms, told the nurse of my shear panic and within two hours a home health nurse called to set up a visit to my home. My treatment, intravenousolu-medrolol over a three-day time. The nurse arrived, started my IV, which was to remain (the cannula only) in my arm for three days. This nurse-angel worked for a health care system known as Gentiva Health Services - http://www.gentiva.com

Once a day, I hung an IV bag on my wall (with tape), let the medication run at a uniformed drip over 45 minutes. Then I unhooked the IV and flushed my line with saline followed with a flush of heparin. This might sound scary to some of you, but believe me, the nursing staff fully trained me on procedure, remained with me the first day's treatment and left me all sorts of material to read and many numbers to call if I ran into trouble. In fact, she offered to come each day of the treatment, if I was too unsure of continuing on my own.

I have to tell you. Within the first treatment, I felt like Cinderella! I could walk a regular, balanced gait, my symptoms disappeared and I felt better than I have in literally YEARS!!

My doctor wanted to see me the next week, and after our visit, I asked if this home treatment was available on a daily basis, knowing this was ridiculous, it didn't hurt to emphasize my utter delight at my successful treatment. I am now set up to receive the IV treatment one day per month for three months, and thfollowupfollowup to see how I'm doing.