MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
CASE STUDY

MRS. O

42 year old female, first diagnosed in 1989. Has Chronic Progressive MS Walks with a walker, but uses wheelchair sometimes when has to carry something or to cook a meal. Problems with balance, strength, fatigue and endurance. Right side is worse than left. Able to pick up a dime and use buttons and snaps. Painful spasms in the calf and thigh - these prevent her from sleeping through the night. Fatigue with minimal exertion. Hot weather or temperature causes tiredness and weakness. If overworks, gets tightness and stiffness in hands and can't use fingers. Takes Neurontin for pain in legs.

Visit with her neurologist in March:
They had a significant difference of opinion. She felt she was doing really well. He did not believe exercising would help her any. Her overall attitude was "negative."

4-03-00:After ran out of Somatein and felt an energy drop. Prior to this she felt healthy had more energy, thought she was on the right track. Feeling "perky" and "can't wait to get started on the Somatein again. Had started to wean off Neurontin, no longer taking Darvocet for pain.

7-13-00: Energy level much improved despite significant physical and mental stress at home. "I can see some improvement." However, pain and spasm are getting worse. Sleep is very bad due to pain, generally less than 3 hours per day. She is scheduled for an MRI because her neurologist feels there may be something else going on as well to trigger the pain and increasing spasm

However she really feels that "if I were not on the pills and powder (Somatomed and Somatein) things would have been much worse."

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