MS Research - Getting in the News - I'll Give It a Try

Multiple sclerosis recently got on the national news – the BBC's 6 o'clock News. Caroline Wyatt, who has long suffered from multiple sclerosis, has been a BBC correspondent for some time. She contracted multiple sclerosis and struggled to be able to fulfil her job requirements. Recently, she undertook HSCT in Mexico. However, she had had multiple sclerosis since 1992. Whether it be as a result of suffering from the condition for so long, or some other variable, and although the treatment initially worked, she eventually returned to her previous state. That said, her brain fog is still much better than it was previously. Ostensibly, though, Wyatt has been a failed responder.

A Phased Return to Work - Pros and Cons

I have been at work for what must be three and a bit weeks, now. Work have been very supportive in allowing me a phased return, which means that I have only just worked myself up to my full hours. I am a teacher who works four days a week, Monday to Thursday. There is absolutely no doubt that I have found going back to work particularly difficult. I had been out of work since March, and what with the summer holidays, this meant going back to work at the beginning of September, some almost 6 months later. This was certainly a shock to the system.

Back to School! 4.5 Month Update

Sorry, it's been a long time. It's been something like 4 1/2 months since I returned from Russia, possibly more now as this has sat in my text editor for a week... I've had a really good recovery so far, although summer has offered its challenges with some pretty high temperatures here and there. Over the last couple of weeks, I have been getting a little anxious as going back to work for the new academic year has loomed on the horizon ever closer. Well, that horizon has finally arrived! I have been at work for a day and a half last week and all the mornings this week as I am currently undergoing a phased return whereby I slowly work up to my normal hours. 

Fatigue Management

Fatigue is a massive challenge for anyone with MS. The statistics for the number of people with MS who suffer with fatigue are very much understated, in my opinion. I'm yet to find an MS sufferer who doesn't suffer with fatigue. 

3.5 Month Update

I'm sorry that this has taken so long but I am on summer holidays at the moment, as a teacher, and this means I've been somewhat distracted! I have now been back a number of months and this is my video update that I did a couple of weeks ago. I'm thinking about running a video series on tips for fatigue as I have recently undertaken a six-week MS fatigue management course run by my local NHS MS team.

Update: A setback? Or summer heat?

I thought I would furnish you with another update. It is now the end of June and I returned from Moscow on 10th April. In this time, I have seen remarkable recovery. I believe that my walking and general coordination, as well as my strength, have returned to levels that were better than they were before I had treatment. My recovery has been as good as can have been expected.

2-Month Update

It seems to have been ages since I last did an update. It's now been two months since I have returned from Moscow and my HSCT treatment. Things are going really well and I am recovering along the same trajectory as I was when I last gave an update. I believe I am physically better than I was before I left for my treatment, which is absolutely fantastic. I am cognitively about the same. All things said, I can only take heart from the level of my recovery. My hair looks like it is white or very fair... Here is a video discussing everything: