MS Update - May 2021

March was national MS Awareness Month so I thought I would give you an MS update (got distracted so now it is May, and I will have 2-3 updates to share this month).  I started MS Month with an MRI to make sure that my new MS med Ocrevus is working.  If you are following along you know I started this new med almost a year ago.  It requires me to go to an infusion center for day long treatments.  I had 3 infusions in 2020 down in Des Moines all during covid and I don't much look forward to those days because they are long and pretty noisy.  I had my first infusion of 2021 this week and it was way better with noise canceling headphones. I took Aleve with me as the first three infusions caused a pounding headache afterwards but I didn't need it.  I think listening to Spotify on the headphones and reading a book about nutrition in the morning, and napping when the Benadryl they give me kicked in left me in a better mode and no headache this time.  I did have weird weakness in my legs after I finished but it didn't last too long.  

The MRI showed I appear to be responding to the new meds and am for the most part tolerating it fairly well.  I've been a little off the last couple of days since my meds but hard to say if it is the meds fault.

The last 15 months with working from home, kids schooling from home, trying to deal with the stress of a pandemic has been pretty hard on my MS.  Stress is a HUGE factor to how I feel and how often and long I have flares.  I've asked less of the kids because we are all just trying to get through the school year, but being the only adult in the house most of the time I carry most of the burden of tending animals, getting us all fed, cleaning house and trying to get us all where we need to be.  I'll be honest it's been a lot.  Right after that MRI I had a ten day flare with bad fatigue, brain fog, and pain.  Those usually only last a day or two and settle down when I rest but this one didn't and I'll be honest that stuff scares the crap out of me.  

I never know if the flare just won't go away so it is just a reminder that I have to take care of myself and manage the intensity of my day.  I have a regular counseling session to let go of some of the weight.  I've been trying to swim, walk and run regularly, and trying to keep my workload balanced but it still isn't easy.  We all need to listen to our bodies, feed them right, rest when we need rest, talk to someone when we feel heavy, and look for opportunities to appreciate all the good we have in our lives.

We all need to just keep doing the best we can and be kind to each other.  Until next time thanks for reading.