Working Through Tough Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
- CNN news anchor John King, 60, lives with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that causes numbness or weakness in the limbs. He’s experienced symptoms for roughly 26 years but manages his symptoms with daily medication and avoiding triggers such as heat, high stress, and loud noises.
- Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the brain and central nervous system that causes numbness or tingling in the limbs, fatigue, lack of coordination, blurry vision, and unsteady gait.
- Although MS does not have a cure, common tools such as wheelchairs, canes, leg braces, and some medical treatments called disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) may improve the quality of life for people living with the disease.
- Research published in Frontiers in Neurology in 2022 cited several studies and clinical trials showing promise in helping MS patients manage their condition. One study found that “83% of patients” who underwent a bone marrow transplant were left with “no evidence of disease” within just two years.
CNN political news anchor John King, 60, is popular among news viewers for pointing out political polling averages on his “magic wall.” However, many may not know he experiences occasional loss of sensation in his hands and feet while delivering the news.
King lives with multiple sclerosis, a disease of the brain and central nervous system that causes numbness or weakness in the limbs, fatigue, lack of coordination, blurry vision, and unsteady gait. He first started experiencing symptoms roughly 26 years ago.
“They looked like little dried flowers running up the spinal cord and nerves. It scared the hell out of me,” King said.
He adds that he can’t feel his legs on his worst days. He eventually received an official diagnosis of the incurable disease, which spooked the veteran news anchor.
“I was petrified. I immediately thought, ‘Am I not going to be able to walk or do my job? Am I not going to be able to play baseball or hike with my kids?” he recalled thinking.
To help him cope, he takes an undisclosed daily medication to manage symptoms. He also learned what triggers flare-ups and avoids them when possible.
“Heat and stress are my worst triggers,” King said. Loud noises and flashing lights can also affect King’s vision.
King said he tried to keep his diagnosis private for several years. Only a limited number of family and friends knew he was living with multiple sclerosis until October 2021, amid COVID-19 news coverage, when he shared his diagnosis publicly.
Helping Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Resources
Living with Incurable Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis causes the immune system to attack cells that form the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers in the spinal cord. The disruption leads to communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body.
Once the protective barrier is damaged, the spinal cord struggles to send messages to the body’s arms, legs, and other parts to function normally.
WATCH: SurvivorNetTV Presents: Defying All Odds – A World-Renowned Doctor’s Incredible Journey Through MS
There is no cure for M.S., but M.S. warriors battling the disease do have methods to manage their symptoms.
Common tools M.S. patients use to improve their quality of life include wheelchairs, canes, leg braces, and some medical treatments called disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).
Applegate has most notably adopted using a cane to help her with balance issues.
A study in American Family Physician found that DMTs “has been shown to slow disease progression and disability; options include injectable agents, infusions, and oral medications targeting different sites in the inflammatory pathway.”
Research published in Frontiers in Neurology last year says autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) (also called bone marrow transplantation, with autologous meaning a patient’s own cells) used for multiple sclerosis therapy helps “reset the immune system.” Several studies and clinical trials using AHSCT have shown promise.
“In a meta-analysis of published studies using AHSCT for M.S. treatment, the pooled estimated transplant-related mortality was 2.1%, two-year disease progression rate was 17.1%, five-year progression rate of 23.3%, and a pooled 83% of patients with no evidence of disease activity at two years. Patients who had the most benefit and least mortality rate were patients with relapsing-remitting M.S. (RRMS).”
Additional research published by NEJM Journal Watch says that AHSCT helps M.S. patients with relapse reduction better than other forms of M.S. treatment.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society outlines the different types of multiple sclerosis:
- Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is when an individual experiences a single neurological episode lasting 24 hours or less. CIS is what M.S. is diagnosed as until there is a second episode.
- Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS): The most common M.S. among the million people battling the disease in the U.S., RRMS is marked by sudden flare-ups, new symptoms, or worsening of symptoms and cognitive function. The condition will then go into remission for some time before reemerging with no known warning signs.
- Primary progressive M.S. (PPMS): These individuals have no flare-ups or remission, just a steady decline with progressively worse symptoms and an increasing loss of cognitive and body functions.
- Secondary progressive M.S. (SPMS): This is an almost transitional form of M.S. that progresses from RRMS to PPMS.
SurvivorNet has had the opportunity to share the stories of resilience from other multiple sclerosis patients. The disease impacts everyone differently. This resilient group of people shares how they work every day to persevere.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are diagnosed with M.S. or may be concerned you have the chronic disease due to symptoms you’re experiencing, consider asking your doctor the following questions.
- Although there’s no cure for M.S., which treatment option to manage my symptoms do you recommend for me?
- Are there any potential side effects of M.S. treatment?
- What if the treatment to manage symptoms doesn’t work?
- Will exercise or therapy help my symptoms?
- Are there any M.S. support groups you recommend to help me cope?
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