Aranzazu Calzadu, a multiple sclerosis patient advocate, shares why speaking up about your needs and expectations is essential to finding a treatment approach that truly works for you.
Transcript
You need to express to your doctor or whoever is doing your treatment what you want, and what you are expecting for this life because they need to work with you.
With multiple sclerosis, they call it the disease of the 1,000 faces. Everyone is so different that it’s like you need to be your own advocate. It’s like, don’t just because you think you know about multiple sclerosis, that you need to go with whatever they tell you. No.
At the beginning, I was like that. I didn’t I didn’t say anything. I just say, “OK, whatever you want me to do.” But with time, you realize that is what you need. It’s like you are your own advocate. It’s what you really feel comfortable with.
So it’s like you need to talk to your doctor — to your care team and tell them what you want. It’s whatever you feel comfortable with. What do you think is best for you. What is working, what is not working. Just don’t go with whatever they say.
