Ok. Here we go. The latest news. Background explanation: MS is a disorder of the Central Nervous System (CNS). The CNS system is made up of the brain and spinal chord. In the brain there are 12 (poss 13) major cranial nerves.
olfactory nerve (I), smell
optic nerve (II), vision
oculomotor nerve (III), eye movement
trochlear nerve (IV), muscle of the eye
trigeminal nerve (V), face sensation
abducens nerve (VI), another muscle of the eye
facial nerve (VII), taste, controls muscles of facial expression vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII),transmits sound and balance
glossopharyngeal nerve (IX), aids in tasting, swallowing
vagus nerve (X), control of the heart and digestive tract.
accessory nerve (XI), functioning in motor control head and shoulder
olfactory nerve (I), smell
optic nerve (II), vision
oculomotor nerve (III), eye movement
trochlear nerve (IV), muscle of the eye
trigeminal nerve (V), face sensation
abducens nerve (VI), another muscle of the eye
facial nerve (VII), taste, controls muscles of facial expression vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII),transmits sound and balance
glossopharyngeal nerve (IX), aids in tasting, swallowing
vagus nerve (X), control of the heart and digestive tract.
accessory nerve (XI), functioning in motor control head and shoulder
The spinal cord is responsible for the other body functions.
Up until now, I have had one small lesion confirmed in my mid brain. However, because of its location, when my MS flares the myelin is affected across 1 or more of the cranial nerves. Therefore at any one time I have one or a combination of problems with i (smell) ii (vision) v (face sensation) viii (sound and balance) IX (taste and swallowing) x (vagus nerve). So 6 of the 12 cranial nerves have been affected by the MS disease process.
hypoesthesia -numbness
parathesia - pricking
dysesthesia - intense pricking
ataxia - balance
dysarthia - speech
nystagmus - eyes
uthoffs phenomenon - heating
myokemia - muscle tics
MS hug- girdle band sensation - intercostal muscles paresthesia
mild pharyngeal phase dysphagia - swallowing
mild asymmetry on lateralisation - face
Peripheral neuropathies - burning feet syndrome.
Depression
Up until now, I have had one small lesion confirmed in my mid brain. However, because of its location, when my MS flares the myelin is affected across 1 or more of the cranial nerves. Therefore at any one time I have one or a combination of problems with i (smell) ii (vision) v (face sensation) viii (sound and balance) IX (taste and swallowing) x (vagus nerve). So 6 of the 12 cranial nerves have been affected by the MS disease process.
hypoesthesia -numbness
parathesia - pricking
dysesthesia - intense pricking
ataxia - balance
dysarthia - speech
nystagmus - eyes
uthoffs phenomenon - heating
myokemia - muscle tics
MS hug- girdle band sensation - intercostal muscles paresthesia
mild pharyngeal phase dysphagia - swallowing
mild asymmetry on lateralisation - face
Peripheral neuropathies - burning feet syndrome.
Depression
Ive learnt to live with that. Ive identified these things.
I have processed them. I live with the base line. I cope with the exacerbation's. Probably had it for 30 years when I look back. Provisionally diagnosed 12 years ago. Confirmed 9 years ago. I consider myself lucky. No spinal cord involvement. Those that get lesions on spinal cord can get paralysis. Mine is relapsing remitting, and not primary progressive. I know the stats that I have 50-50 change of eventually a relapse could start a secondary progressive slide. Everything been well controlled for 4 years. Right meds combination. 30kg weight gain but moving, and functioning. Even the tachycardia I developed in 2011 has a correlation with MS. So where is all this going? Today I learn that the bladder dysfunction, and associated pain present post gall bladder op is most likely the onset of what 80% of MS sufferers get as part living with MS. Infections gone. No stones. Operation a success. All these years of pain starting to make sense. We have now eliminated the gall bladder as pain source and the problems caused through that many stones are gone and left with.... It seems there is probably a lesion on my spine now. What does that mean? We cant MRI this because of a titanium knee, and given I already have a diagnosis they dont use that expensive resource confirming that. Ironic isnt is. Pain in a place that triggers sexual abuse memory. I said in 2003 that my out point would be the day the bladder starts doing things and I wont have treatment for that part of my body. I wont be invaded. So today I have cried, screamed, yelled, thrown things, texted health professionals, talked with M, eaten fru jus (ice blocks) and now I am writing this. It is a mixture of relief of a plan and knowing and extreme emotions. I am breathing, trying to develop the same philosophy I've had when confronted with news of a new MS development when I havent had anything new in 4 years, taking the steroid treatment, calling in sick to work and life, living w the unknown, the random, the unfair, the paradox, the grief, the chronic loss of energy and trying to find the hope, the Ive got this covered like I have before.... just excuse me a bit while I disappear under the blankets and say f**k.
I have processed them. I live with the base line. I cope with the exacerbation's. Probably had it for 30 years when I look back. Provisionally diagnosed 12 years ago. Confirmed 9 years ago. I consider myself lucky. No spinal cord involvement. Those that get lesions on spinal cord can get paralysis. Mine is relapsing remitting, and not primary progressive. I know the stats that I have 50-50 change of eventually a relapse could start a secondary progressive slide. Everything been well controlled for 4 years. Right meds combination. 30kg weight gain but moving, and functioning. Even the tachycardia I developed in 2011 has a correlation with MS. So where is all this going? Today I learn that the bladder dysfunction, and associated pain present post gall bladder op is most likely the onset of what 80% of MS sufferers get as part living with MS. Infections gone. No stones. Operation a success. All these years of pain starting to make sense. We have now eliminated the gall bladder as pain source and the problems caused through that many stones are gone and left with.... It seems there is probably a lesion on my spine now. What does that mean? We cant MRI this because of a titanium knee, and given I already have a diagnosis they dont use that expensive resource confirming that. Ironic isnt is. Pain in a place that triggers sexual abuse memory. I said in 2003 that my out point would be the day the bladder starts doing things and I wont have treatment for that part of my body. I wont be invaded. So today I have cried, screamed, yelled, thrown things, texted health professionals, talked with M, eaten fru jus (ice blocks) and now I am writing this. It is a mixture of relief of a plan and knowing and extreme emotions. I am breathing, trying to develop the same philosophy I've had when confronted with news of a new MS development when I havent had anything new in 4 years, taking the steroid treatment, calling in sick to work and life, living w the unknown, the random, the unfair, the paradox, the grief, the chronic loss of energy and trying to find the hope, the Ive got this covered like I have before.... just excuse me a bit while I disappear under the blankets and say f**k.
