Delicate Balance - Leigh Anne Nelson

Leigh Anne Nelson is a professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy and a board-certified psychiatric pharmacist. She was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) approximately 10 years ago. She hopes her column, “Delicate Balance,” will help people living with MS become more aware of MS symptoms and learn to advocate for themselves by providing personal stories of her journey with MS. Leigh Anne is passionate about educating others about MS.

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Why I’m researching clinical trials as I prepare to switch my DMT

I wrote in the summer about changing the disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for my multiple sclerosis (MS). I’ve familiarized myself with the available DMTs, and I plan to ask my neurologist for her recommendation next week and then make a decision. As I’ve researched my options, I’ve become interested…

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Is MS causing me to have difficulty swallowing?

I’ve noticed over the past three years that I choke more frequently. I did a little internet investigating and believe it may be associated with my multiple sclerosis (MS). I was surprised by that, as most of my MS symptoms are in my extremities. I hadn’t thought about…

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I’m making changes to my diet to help me better manage MS

My youngest recently left for college. It was hard to say goodbye, but I know it was time to let her go. I am now an empty nester, though I prefer to think of myself as a successful bird launcher. So what happens now? Many people get to know their…

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Are my new symptoms signs of MS progression?

My last magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was on May 1, just ahead of an appointment with my multiple sclerosis (MS) healthcare provider six days later. The MRI showed that my MS was stable, meaning I had no new or active lesions. I was pleasantly surprised by these…

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How I’ve controlled the costs of taking my treatment for MS

I’ve been on the same disease-modifying therapy (DMT), Gilenya (fingolimod), for my multiple sclerosis (MS) for several years. It’s worked well for me, as my last exacerbation was at least five years ago. I credit this DMT for stabilizing my MS and allowing me to live better with my…

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I’m unsure whether to join this year’s MS bike-riding fundraiser

I choose to fundraise for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society through Bike MS, which the society’s website says is “the largest fundraising cycling series in the world.” Approximately 50,000 cyclists and 5,000 teams ride each year, and the community has raised $1.4 billion to support the society’s…

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My experience using high-dose steroids to treat an MS relapse

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with high-dose steroids to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. My first experience treating an MS relapse with intravenous steroids was interesting.


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