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| What are early warning signs of MS ? David Landers the actor known best for his role as Squiggy on the show Laverne and Shirley was diagnosed in 1984 and recently wrote a book Fall Down Laughing,How Squiggy got MS and Didn't Tell Nobody. His early signs were that he woke up one day and was unable to walk. His Dr. told him he would probably not walk again.He was hospitalized and treated with Steroids and was walking again in a matter of days Shelley on the other hand had her eyesight affected with blurred vision and double vision as well as suffering from vertigo. MS is an equal opportunity afflicter but most commonly affecting women and cases in men are by no means rare. It has not been found to be hereditary however as with all illnesses and diseases certain genes may make one more susceptible to having the disease. |
| David Landers aka Squiggy and Shelley |
| How Is MS Diagnosed?While there is no one specific test for MS doctors may use a variety of tests in any combination when MS is suspected. They may start with a simple nuerological test such as a test of ones reflexes as well as a gathering of medical history, followed by an MRI which takes a picture of the brain.The MRI will show lesions(scarring) of the brain.These show up as dark spots like black holes on the brain They may also use a magnetic resonance spectroscopy which shows the biochemistry make up of the brain. The DRs. may also study the cerebrospinal fluid and an antibody immunoglobulin G. Many diseases show similar symptoms to MS that is why it is one of the hardest diseases to positively diagnose in its early stages.A friend of our family was diagnosed and at the time she was diagnosed the Dr. figured she had had MS for over 25 years but the symptoms had been minor and consequently it went undiagnosed.. |
| Is there more than one type of MS? There are 4 types of MS. 1) Relapsing Remitting(RRMS): The symptoms of the attack appear followed by a complete remission such as what david Landers experienced when first diagnosed. Most of the time following an attack there will appear to be a complete recovery however there is usually some sort of minor damage done to the affected part of the body not readily apparent.This is usually the first stage of the disease and may be the only stage ever experienced. 2)Primary Progressive(PPMS):The onset of Primary-Progressive MS(PPMS) usually occurs later in life 30-40 years old and unlike relapsing remitting there is a definite gradual progression of the disease and the damage it does with no real signs of the disease going into remission. A patient may have good and bad days or weeks and there may be a leveling off of the disease activity. PPMS generally starts in the spinal cord as opposed to the brain like relapsing-remitting and consequently may not show any lesions on the brain on an MRI. It often does eventually move to the brain but is less likely to impair cognitive processes of the brain. It is estimated 10-15% of all people with MS have PPMS.. Secondary-Progressive(SPMS)Is the same as Relapsing-remitting MS except there is no remission just a progression and the disease is always active.There may be a slowing of the progression or the progression may be so slow that it may appear as if the disease is in remission. A person with SSMS will most likely have experienced Relapsing Remitting MS previously over a period of anywhere from 2to 40 years.SPMS is basically an advanced stage of RRMS with the level of disability advancing much more rapidly than previously experienced.The majority of people with RRMS will eventually have SPMS.After 10 years approximately 50% of people with RRMS progress to SPMS.After 25-30 years that number grows to approximately 90%.At any given time SPMS accounts for 30% of people with MS Progressive-Relapsing(PRMS):The thing that sets PRMS apart from Primary Progressive MS is the fact that there are not only relapses or remissions of the disease but there is also a significant recovery Immediately after a relapse of the disease. Between relapses there is a gradual worsening of the symptoms. Some neurologists think that PRMS is another form of PPMS |
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| The Brake-Well brake kit gives the caregiver more control of the wheelchair on ramps and hills as well making the chair easier to manuever. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION |
| Brake-Well wheelchair brake kit pictured below |
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