My Life With MS

🎙️ My Life With MS: Pregnancy, MRI While Pregnant, & My New Found Hope (Multiple Sclerosis)

In this episode, I share my personal journey with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and the challenges I faced during my treatment and pregnancy. I talk about the emotional turmoil of making treatment decisions, the risks associated with medications like Ocrevus, and how discovering I was pregnant became a pivotal moment in my health journey. I explore the alternative treatments I tried, my experiences during pregnancy, and the impact of faith on my decisions. I wrap up with reflections on motherhood and the importance of not letting MS dictate my life.
Please Visit My Blog: mylifewith-ms.com
Takeaways:
Feeling alone and depressed before treatment is common.
Ocrevus treatment has significant risks, including PML.
The fear of treatment can be overwhelming.
Pregnancy provided a reason to stop treatment.
IVIG infusion was an alternative treatment during pregnancy.
Hydration is crucial during IVIG infusions.
Pregnancy can bring back old MS symptoms.
High-risk OBs can provide better care for pregnant women with MS.
MRIs during pregnancy can be distressing.
Faith played a significant role in coping with MS.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to MS Journey
02:20 The Dilemma of Treatment Risks
03:41 Pregnancy as a Turning Point
06:03 Exploring Alternative Treatments
08:46 Navigating Pregnancy with MS
11:01 The MRI Experience During Pregnancy
14:43 The Birth Experience and Reflections
16:40 Faith and MS: A Personal Journey
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In this episode of "My Life with MS," I open up about my struggles with MS treatment and the transformative experience of pregnancy. Leading up to my last infusion of Ocrevus, I was overwhelmed with fear, doubt, and isolation, unsure if continuing treatment was right for me. While Ocrevus is a common MS therapy, it carries significant risks, including PML, a rare but serious brain condition. The potential side effects and uncertainties about my future left me questioning my treatment path.
A turning point came when I found out I was pregnant, giving me a clear reason to pause treatments I no longer felt comfortable with. Although my neurologist recommended continuing Ocrevus during pregnancy, I chose to trust my instincts and declined. I sought advice from a new specialist who suggested an alternative: IVIG infusions. This older treatment approach helped boost my immune system without the intense effects of traditional MS therapies, allowing me to focus on my health and the health of my baby.
Throughout my pregnancy, I faced challenging symptoms like numbness, tingling, and optic neuritis, but I was determined to stay as healthy as possible. I adjusted my diet, took essential vitamins, and followed my new treatment plan, all while relying on my faith for guidance. I believe God led me through this time, giving me the strength to make the best decisions for myself and my baby.
In my eighth month of pregnancy, my neurologist scheduled an MRI, which turned out to be a stressful experience I wouldn’t recommend. The fear of how the procedure might affect my baby was overwhelming, and I chose to end it early. Looking back, I wish I had trusted my instincts to decline the MRI entirely.
Despite the challenges, my pregnancy went well because I actively prioritized my health. On May 20, 2022, I gave birth to my son after being induced due to concerns about preeclampsia. With the support of a high-risk OBGYN team, I delivered a healthy baby and began a new chapter in my life.
Reflecting on this journey, I’ve realized how essential it is to make decisions based on what feels right, even if it means going against medical advice. I encourage other MS warriors not to let fear dictate their choices. There was a time when I felt like MS had stolen my future, but having my son changed everything. 
My experience strengthened my faith, and I believe God guided me toward a better path. For me, faith helped me navigate uncertainties and made decisions feel less overwhelming.
 Legal Disclaimer:The content shared on this podcast, including all discussions, opinions, and experiences, is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a medical professional, and nothing expressed on this podcast should be interpreted as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided is based on my personal experiences and opinions and is not intended to substitute or replace professional medical guidance.
Before making any decisions regarding your health, treatment, or lifestyle, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider. I am not liable for any actions, decisions, or outcomes based on the information shared on this podcast. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Keywords
Multiple Sclerosis, MS treatment, pregnancy, Ocrevus, IVIG infusion, health journey, faith, motherhood, MRI experience, health risks, MS, Ocrevus,  Chronic Illness, Disease, Neurology, Podcast

My Treatment Journey: Allergic Reactions - Tysabri - Tecfidera - Ocrevus | My Life With MS Podcast

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🔊 Tune in now to hear my story and join me in navigating the complexities of MS with resilience and hope.
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In the second episode of "My Life With MS," I dive into my harrowing experience with Tysabri, a popular treatment for multiple sclerosis. If you're considering this treatment, my story might offer some insights, although it's not intended as medical advice.
After my MS diagnosis, Tysabri was selected as my first treatment. The process began with a half-dose infusion to test my body’s reaction. Initially, things seemed fine, but the second half-dose turned my world upside down. Shortly after the infusion, I experienced tightness in my chest, hives, and hot flashes. The nurses responded with Benadryl and steroids, but my symptoms persisted, escalating into a severe allergic reaction.
Over the next six weeks, my life became a nightmare. Every four hours, my body would erupt in hives, my chest would tighten, and I’d experience intense hot flashes. I was constantly taking Benadryl and prednisone, with frequent visits to my neurologist for steroid infusions. My body was in a state of chaos, and I learned I had developed antibodies to Tysabri, making my immune system reject the medication entirely.
The physical symptoms were compounded by emotional turmoil. I began suffering from panic attacks, triggered by loud noises, which sent me into convulsions. The steroids I was on also led to weight gain, irritability, and a condition called "moon face," where my face became puffy and swollen.
This experience left me questioning the protocols around Tysabri. I strongly believe that testing for antibodies before administering the second half of the infusion could have spared me this ordeal. I’m sharing my story to advocate for such testing to become a standard practice, ensuring that no one else has to endure what I went through.
Following my reaction to Tysabri, I was switched to Tecfidera, an oral treatment. Unfortunately, this drug also didn’t agree with me, causing severe stomach cramps and digestive issues. My MS continued to progress, and after six months, another MRI showed more active lesions. Tecfidera was deemed ineffective, and I was introduced to Ocrevus, a new treatment that had just hit the market.
Ocrevus, an infusion administered twice a year, was a challenging experience. I suffered from severe infusion reactions, characterized by fever-like symptoms, chills, and body aches. Despite these reactions, my neurologist and a second opinion from another doctor both recommended continuing with Ocrevus. The drug was supposed to be the best available option for slowing the progression of my MS.
However, Ocrevus also brought its own set of complications. The treatment severely weakened my immune system, making me extremely vulnerable to infections. I contracted COVID-19 during this time, and although my symptoms were mild, my recovery was prolonged. The experience highlighted the importance of protecting my compromised immune system, leading me to create and promote masks that signaled my vulnerability to others.
Living with MS and undergoing these treatments took a significant toll on my mental health. I became deeply depressed, struggling to cope with the demands of work and life while managing the debilitating effects of my illness and its treatments. The never-ending cycle of treatments felt overwhelming, and I found myself questioning how I had arrived at such a low point in my life.
This episode is a raw and honest account of my journey with Tysabri, Tecfidera, and Ocrevus. I hope my story can bring awareness to the potential risks and challenges associated with these treatments and encourage others to advocate for themselves in their healthcare journey.
Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis, MS, Tysabri, Tecfidera, Ocrevus, MS Treatment, MS Symptoms, Chronic Illness, Autoimmune Disease, Neurology, Infusion Reaction, Allergic Reaction, MS Podcast

The One Where I Get Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis | My Life With MS Podcast

🎙️ My Life With MS: My Journey to Diagnosis
Hi, I'm Jen Albertson, and in this episode of "My Life With MS," I'm opening up about my personal journey with multiple sclerosis, starting way back in high school. I'll take you through the early, confusing symptoms that I experienced and how they eventually led to my diagnosis.
I'll share the details of my encounters with my neurologist, the ups and downs, and the overwhelming mental health challenges that came with it. There were so many fears and uncertainties, and I want to give you a real sense of what that felt like.
I'll walk you through my first infusion treatment, describing the emotions and thoughts running through my mind. I'll also talk about my first MRI scans and what those experiences have been like for me.
This episode is all about giving you an honest look into the realities of living with MS. Whether you're dealing with multiple sclerosis yourself, supporting someone who is, or just want to understand more about this journey, I hope my story resonates with you and provides some strength and insight.
🔊 Tune in now to hear my story and join me in navigating the complexities of MS with resilience and hope.
Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis, MS Diagnosis, Neurologist Experience, Mental Health, First Infusion, MRI, Chronic Illness, Personal Journey, Resilience, Health Podcast
 

My Life With MS (Trailer)

Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis was a pivotal moment in my life. The neurologist told me I would be in a wheelchair within five years. But I refused to let that be my story. Welcome to "My Life With MS," a podcast where I share my journey of resilience, hope, and determination.