Just a quick recap on my MS journey. I was diagnosed with MS in 2024 over the phone with my neurologist. He didn’t want me on medication until my next relapse. Who then unexpectedly retired. I was then set to wait for another neurologist. They set me up with the MS clinic.
The MS clinic
They are rather thorough there. They went through my history. Did a complete neurological assessment. He confirmed I do have relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Which is what I was diagnosed with so it was not as much of a shock this time around. Although, I was until recently still in denial.
Medication
So previously I was not on medication. I worried about a relapse at any moment that might be extremely concerning. This neurologist said neurologists can be of two philosophies in the beginning of MS in regards to medication and that is why I was not on any. Although, it did give me anxiety. And then a lot of just straight up denial.
He takes a more aggressive approach, he said, to medication. I would say a more normal approach to medication. That of preventing relapses right of the get-go. As such he recommended two medications for me Ocrevus™ (ocrelizumab) and Kesimpta™ (ofatumumab). Which are the same but one is a shot you take yourself every month and the first there is an infusion you take every six months.
I chose Ocrevus. Only because it is less frequent. And I am forgetful and I thought I might forget to take the shot every month on the same day. Less days to forget seemed better. And setting up an infusion seemed like I would be less likely to forget this event.
To prepare for this event I need to do blood work, get tested for tuberculosis and get caught up for all vaccines (live vaccines and flu shot). Then they prepare my insurance and set up the first infusion. Two weeks later another. After that, if it is tolerated it is every six months.
Occipital Nerve block
He gave me an occipital nerve block for the headache I had. He was curious if the lesion I have at the base of my spine and the migraine attacks I get that cause pain at the back of my neck are directly correlated. So he shot me up quickly and it went quite well. I felt relief quite quickly. I still feel lower neck pain, as usual. But the head pain subsided quickly aside from like a tension headache from lack of sleep.
So this may last for a little bit or may not. He will check with me in three months time.
What to think
I am pretty tired all the time. My mom drove me to the MS clinic today and it was early and snowy as all hell. I had such little sleep. Was drained. Slept as soon as I got back for more than a few hours. So this venture of going to two different places for these tests to then do the infusions is… exhausting. But necessary. Also I do not drive, so there is that fact.
At the same time, the process has started and this is good. The anxiety will be reduced once the medication is in place. Treatment is essential. My denial will subside now that MS has been confirmed twice now.
I have to quit smoking. I have been trying to no avail. But I have, as of today, started again. This was stressed to me.
It was a productive and informative visit. I was put on treatment which was my end goal. MS was confirmed.
Chronically Nikki 
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