My very first multiple sclerosis attack, which by the way my doctor at the time assured me was just a pinched nerve, lasted around three months. And my symptoms were extremely mild although they did pretty much affect every part of my body. And then, at the end of those three months, that was it I didn’t have any other attacks or symptoms for the next six plus years.
Fast forward twenty two years and I’m reading how in many cases, after that very first MS event, researchers now believe that the body essentially still retains its ability to repair that initial damage that is done to the myelin. And at least in my case this certainly seems to fit my own disease’s early progression. However, as time goes on your body slowly starts to lose its ability to continue these repairs and the damage becomes much more serious to the central nervous system. Which also seems to fit me, unfortunately, pretty well.
If that is all true, and only more research will answer that, it seems to me that science should eventually be able to turn the bodies own ability to make these repairs back on. And that is all very encouraging but it was something that I read a few minutes later in my own research that really caught my attention.
Many researchers are stating that it appears that most of the damage caused by multiple sclerosis takes place up until the age of sixty. And after this, MRI’s are showing little further deterioration in the brain and spinal tissue. And their also starting to question whether or not it’s even prudent to continue use of any of the current disease modifying drugs as they may no longer be having any effect on MS progression.
Well, I’m not sure about anyone else, but I sure am tired of giving myself daily or every other day injections. I plan to watch the studies very closely over the next couple of years, which will make me sixty, to see if this continues to look like a reality. And if it does, I plan to have a very long discussion with my neurologist.
I’m rapidly coming to the conclusion that it may be time for me, and perhaps others, to start to consider weaning themselves off of these very expensive treatments which in turn would start to squeeze these drug companies’ profits to the point where they may start to actually look for a cure instead, or, probably not!
by Bill Walker
I just recently published my very first novel, if interested here is the link:
Multiple Sclerosis And Beyond 
As you know, I do not advocate the use of DMD’s as I believe that MS is vascular in nature. My recovery from MS has remained stable in the five years since my treatment for CCSVI.
I’m very glad that worked for you! That is awesome.
CONGRADULATIONS BILL!! I appreciate all of the MS research and hard work that you do and share with everyone of us so generously.
Thank You,
Misty
I really appreciate your comment, it makes me feel good!
Hi Bill, I passed that sixty mark five years ago, and four years ago, I stopped daily injections. Within a month I felt much better, both physically and emotionally. Tthe routine of daily injections elicits what I’m calling “patient burnout” after a few years of compliance. I’ve remained DMD-free for the past four years since my medically-induced reluctant retirement from my teaching career, but I’m moving forward in a new positive direction, meeting new friends and associates and basically snubbing the MS diagnosis which arrived belatedly in my late fifties. I wish I had never heard the letter or agreed to the injections. But I’m free of them now, and with a healthier lifestyle I’m loving my new career. Wishing you as well, Bill.
Thank you so much for giving me your experience here. It definitely gives me something to think about as I consider whether or not to continue with my current injections for another year or so, or just drop them altogether. It is so encouraging to read your story and hope for the best for you as well!
I totally agree about the drug companies! I think they are focusing on developing “treatments” that require us to stay on them permanently and often require more meds to treat the side effects of those ones as well. When I was diagnosed in 2011 my MS neuro, who had specialized in MS treatment for several decades, encouraged me to skip the DMDs completely. In all his years of treatment he never saw it make any significant improvement for anyone, but did cause lots of miserable side effects. It had such an impact on his conscience that he was no longer accepting the kickbacks for prescribing them. I was glad to hear him say that because I don’t do well with meds in general, so prefer to stick with more natural options. I’m also keenly watching the research on options like CCSVI liberation treatment and stem cell therapy.
Yep, do what works for you not what drug companies say is good for you. Greed is way to strong for corporate America and needs some new rules to reign in it’s social and political influence!