For the whole month of October I am going to be talking about multiple sclerosis(MS) even though it is not MS Awareness month. March is MS Awareness month and I have some posts that you can check out if you want to read my MS story. If you go on my blog page at www.ebonyoneverything.com, there is a category on the right side or bottom of the page called MS-cellaneous. This category contains all my previous posts regarding Multiple Sclerosis. Someone great was born in October who just happens to have MS, me! I am speaking about MS because I was challenged by a group of ladies to do something that makes me feel uncomfortable. Talking about MS makes me feel uncomfortable. I don’t want to dwell on it. It is a part of my life just like work, sleep and the weather. These are topics we briefly discuss and move on. That is how I like to treat MS. Well, I accepted the challenge, so let’s talk.
On Friday, September 25th, I stuck a needle into my thigh muscle. The syringe contained my new MS medication called Avonex. Avonex is an interferon beta-1b medication that helps to inhibit inflammation that causes MS flare ups. Avonex may slow the progression of physical disability in people with multiple sclerosis. I had a nurse educator, Renee, there with me to coach me through the process. She came with sample placebo syringes for me to practice on a fake piece of flesh a few times before I did it on my actual flesh. It is so much easier stabbing fake meat versus real meat. Lol. Ok if you have read this blog at all, by now y’all should know I’m crazy. If you are new here, please read some previous blogs. I don’t take much to heart. Though an MS diagnosis is a pretty serious issue, I approach it with humor. How else do you get through a day?
The start of Avonex had me injecting only 1/4 dose with an increase of an additional 1/4 dose until the fourth week when I use the recommended dosage. The shot is injected once a week. I usually like to administer this type of medication on Fridays. One of the side effects is flu-like symptoms. Friday injections allows me to recover over the weekend, if I was to experience any side effects. The last time I started an injection medication the side effects didn’t hit me until the middle of the week. I had to be wheel out of work in a wheelchair, which I do not use, and driven home by my coworkers. My body locked up and I couldn’t even walk or bend my legs. What a day that was. Took a couple of Aleve and was back in busy a few hours later. Everyone was freaked out though. Especially my boss. Couldn’t return to work without a doctor’s note. Lol. I don’t blame her.
This will be my fourth medication. I am hoping it will either be my last or I will be able to use it for at least a few years. I am starting to get discouraged with these medications. They all have scary side effect warnings and I just don’t know if they are even working. But the goal is to stay mobile. So I am willing to give it a try.
Since I have accepted the challenge that means I am available for any questions you may have in regards to multiple sclerosis. Whether it is general information about the disease or personal information about my life with the disease. You can leave your questions in the comment box below or email me at elsims27@yahoo.com. This stands true for the whole month of October. After that, I ain’t doing it. Lol. No, I will still be available. I did not really know what MS was until I got it, so I don’t expect anyone to know about it unless they have it or someone close to them has it. That is the way it goes with most diseases. So I can be your MS educator.
The weather is changing. It is getting cooler. People will be in the house more. The leaves will turn all those beautiful colors that represents my favorite season, fall. But we are still in the middle of a pandemic. So masks will still need to be wore and care taken with your health. Continue to be well and whole. Much love 🧡 💚