The Power of Self-Care and Support

Giorgos was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in 2018. Although MS has caused severe mobility limitations, he continues to live an active life through exercise, self care and community.

Winter 2018, the second to last Saturday of that year. Returning home after a Saturday night out with lots of drinks and dancing. I take off my jacket and go to hang it up. As I stretch my arms, I feel an intense pain in my lower back. I didn’t pay attention and said it would pass. But the pain didn’t forget me, only time did. 1, 2, 3 weeks and the pain remained constant. I decided to go to an orthopedist. He gave me treatment for 1 month. But the pain was still there. I went back and he told me, you came to the wrong doctor. You need to see a neurologist. The orthopedist was sharp. I went, had MRIs done, and he told me the magic diagnosis: “You have Multiple Sclerosis.” I was admitted to the hospital where they did all the tests and a lumbar puncture. On my discharge papers it was written in capital letters: Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

I was overcome with panic. Maybe it was only the second time I had heard of this condition in my life. The only advice they gave me from the hospital was exercise and swimming. I informed everyone around me about my condition. Both family and friends. My movement was becoming more and more difficult. So I understood that life would be different from now on. When I was psychologically well, I walked better; when I wasn’t, my movement worsened. I understood what I needed to keep and have beside me. So, years after the diagnosis,  I experience physical disability in 80% of my body. I do pilates and swimming twice a week. I am on treatment with Ocrevus and I am scheduled to receive my thirteenth dose the day after tomorrow.

I move, even with difficulty, without a wheelchair, on my own two feet only – and I manage it. And do you know why? Take it as advice. Remove anything toxic that exists around you. Not only situations but also people. And something very important. Fall in love with yourself, and if possible, love at first sight. Soon that love will turn into self-care. And you will see that this love will be the best therapy for Multiple Sclerosis. And don’t forget that in this family that we all are, no one is alone, we are all fighting together.

Our thanks to Giorgos and the Greek MS Society for this story. If you have an MS diagnosis story to share you can add your experience to the World MS Day map.