elkbow
Posts: 9611
Joined: 11/23/2005
From: Albuquerque, NM
Status: offline
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I have received alot of questions lately as people have heard I have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, so I will tell my story. Its not that I was trying to hide it, but it has been a pure shock to me and a complete life altering disease.
Back on May 10th, a friend that I ride with and member of this forum, were up riding in the Jemez Mountains here in New Mexico. Its a beautiful area and we were clearing alot of trees that fell from the winter snowfall. Here is a short video that Bruce posted of me coming along one of the trails (Bruce is still learning how to shoot videos  )
http://outdoors.webshots.com/video/3015931950049035146VyKltM
We put on about 45 miles that day and I felt fine until I got home and noticed that I had a problem in my right leg, it was losing strength. Over the next couple of days it got worse. By Thursday I was in the doctors office, the problem now moved in to my whole right side of my body and I started to get numb in my neck and shoulder.
Typical doctor, said not sure what was wrong. He wanted to wait a week. I made it til Tuesday and was back in the doc's office. I now started to get numbness in my arm, shoulder and hand/fingers.
The doctor referred me to a neurologist, which I seen that Thursday. Well I then did an Electromyogram (EMG) to shock my muscles to see if they responded and also the doc put needles in different places of my right side to listen to the the electrical signal on a loud speaker. I passed this test, so next was in order was an MRI to scan my brain and cervical spine.
I did the MRI and got the results the next week. My MRI showed multiple lesions (demylenation of the axom) in my brain, with only two active (one acute and one subacute). But worst of all, I have a lesion on my spinal cord at C2/C2 in my neck.
And, I also have a degenerated/herniated disc in my neck at C5/C6. That wasn't too surprising considering all the crashing i've done racing, etc. But the problem, its also pushing against my nerve coming out of my spinal cord.
The next test was a CSF (lumbar puncture) and blood work. From the spinal fluid if it shows 'banding' in my proteins, thats just another indicator that my proteins and immune system are messed up. The blood work was to make sure I don't have other issues that could mimic MS. Well the CSF test came back positive. So the neurologist diagnosed me with MS at that time, this was on June 16th.
By this point in time i required a cane to walk, neck, my right arm, shoulder, hand and all fingers went asleep. The problem then moved in to my right side, sensation issues from my chest to my toes. I started to have problems controlling my bladder and couldn't sleep due to the pain in my legs and arm.
This whole time i had serious pain in the right side of my back which then moved in to the left side.
There is no cure for MS, but there are medications to try to control the immune system. I started on those two months ago. I elected to go on Copaxone in which i have to give myself an injection every day. I have 7 locations on my body and alternate between each spot and move slightly each time.
About a month ago the doctor prescribed a high dose of Steroids (Prednisone). I did that with no immediate help. Prednisone has terrible side effects and can affect your health, but there isn't much alternative.
I went on short term disability from work and parked the motorcyles as I could no longer feel the grip or brake.
Well for those that know me, I don't ever give up or give in. I've been fighting this terrible disease and I have been doing well. I started working out differently. I have been working alot on my legs to get the muscles stronger. 6 years ago is when my symptoms really first started with tingling in my legs. The doctors did xrays of my spine and said all looks good and then the problem went away. A few years ago it happened again and I ignored it because it went away the first time, little did I know it didn't really go away, my legs were getting weaker and weaker, i attributed it to getting older, how wrong I was.
I've gotten my legs stronger, I can now walk without a cane. I've been doing Physical and Occupational therapy. I spend alot of time stretching each day. One thing that kicks my butt as well as many other MS patients is heat, I can't handle being hot or in the sun, I get much worse when that happens. I now have vests that i wear that work through evaporation, as they are soaked in water. If I travel anywhere I carry a cooler with ice in case I break down or get a flat on the truck or run out of fuel.
I have to say, I'm getting better. And this past week I started to get some sensation back in my arm, shoulder hand and fingers. My neck is no longer numb. I can hold my bladder. My back doesn't hurt as much today. My left side has gotten better but my leg burns below my knee.
I'm going to beat this. Of the MS patients out there about 1/3 will be completely disabled, 1/3 will be partially disabled, requiring assistance in walking and other activities and 1/3 will live a fairly normal life with some side effects.
MS is also affected by stress, its amazing what the brain can do, so I have been spending time up in the mountains, I was up there for a complete week, most of the time by myself with my dog and I am leaving again tomorrow for another week. It is the most relaxing, healing, there is. I can still ride the ATV, nothing like I used to and have to stop often to stretch, etc.
I have to say this to all of you, thanks for being there. I have met so many friends online, friends that I may never meet, may never even talk to on the phone, but you all mean a great deal to me, just being there, someone that listens, just sharing life. I thank all of you!!!
So I will sum it up with a song and video by Alan Jackson, 'Live like you were dying'. Please watch and think about your friends, family, loved ones, etc. And as I have always done, live each day like it is your last.
http://music.aol.com/video/live-like-you-were-dying/tim-mcgraw/playlist/gloria/391420/1143707
God Bless
Dave
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Dave
'08 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 Camo
'09 Polaris Ranger XP Camo
ATV Magazine
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My diagnosis with MS - 
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