David R.

In November of 1994, David R. started experiencing odd symptoms where he felt this “weight or cloudiness” descending on him for thirty seconds to a minute at a time about ten times a day. He felt “almost as if gravity had changed” and there was more gravity pulling him down like an internal weight. He also experienced increased difficulty with speaking. While he could still speak and comprehend what was going on in his surroundings, David R. felt that it was strange enough to contact his doctor. David R. was then referred for an MRI. The radiologist suggested that he might have Multiple sclerosis (MS). A second neurologist dismissed this diagnosis, AND referred him to a psychiatrist, suspecting that his condition may have been psychiatric rather than neurological. Over the course of a year, David R. received many diagnostic tests including nerve conduction tests and a spinal tap, none of which showed any indication of MS. In late 1995, David R. went to two competing medical institutions seeking answers. The first institution told him that he did have Multiple sclerosis while the second one told him that he did not because the plaques looked inconsistent with MS. A follow-up six months later showed no signs of progression, and he was able to resume his normal daily habits. However, the symptoms did not go away. Around 2001, David R. noticed that his gait was somewhat affected on his left side and returned to the neurology department to ask about his MS diagnosis status. After a year of MRIs and monitoring, the doctors had enough data to make a determination that David R. did have MS. At that time, David R. was no longer able to run but “could walk normally and maintain a pretty good, normal life.” Currently, David R’s symptoms include incontinence, affected gait, weaker right side, diminished endurance, and mental fatigue which contributed to his decision to retire. He also sees a psychiatrist to address the depression that accompanied his MS diagnosis.

David R. was put on a Copaxone medication regime. Over the next five years, David R. had three relapses that necessitated IV steroids for treatment. With each relapse, David R. noticed that his capabilities diminished somewhat, namely increased difficulty walking around as one leg might drag or he would be more prone to trip and fall. Despite these relapses, David R. continued to practice as an attorney, join his sons on Boy Scout camp outs, and lead a pretty normal life. Around the fall of 2007, he had a dramatic relapse greatly impacting the right side of his body. As a result, his neurologist switched David R. to Tysabri, which affected his white blood cell counts. He then switched to Tecfidera for four to five years, but his white blood cell count remained low. David R. concluded that these MS medications compromise his immune system and no longer takes any disease-modifying pharmaceutical therapies. David R. went through physical therapy regimes and learned the importance of physical therapy as being even more important than the medicine one takes because “when you’re fighting this illness, what you’re fighting is the diminishment of your capabilities.” Over the years, David R. has gotten pretty good at accepting those things that he cannot change and working within those parameters.

David R. has been walking with a cane for 11 years and worries that he will eventually need a wheelchair. While “that’s not the end of the world,” he would have to make living arrangements, house modifications, or completely buy a new house to accommodate a wheelchair. MS has not changed his outlook on life too much as he is still able to be with friends, keep up with people, and maintain his cerebral side. David R. is interested in getting more counseling regarding the aging process in MS.

As an attorney, one of David R’s specialties was the Americans with Disabilities Act. He knew that it was better for people to announce ahead of time if they are suffering from an impairment and he had enough trust in the people he worked with to disclose his MS. David R’s extensive professional knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act gave him an appreciation of what his rights were, and a better appreciation of the obstacles people face even in situations where one would think there should not be obstacles. David R’s advice to others is to come to peace with the fact that there is always a cloud of uncertainty hanging over one’s head when it comes to MS, and it is best to deal with it as best as one can. One way that friends and family can be supportive of someone with MS is to have an awareness of the fact that things that they might be doing unintentionally will have an effect on the person with MS.