Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
- “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Emma Caulfield Ford, who kept her Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis private for about 12 years, is embracing life with a stylish wardrobe and creative artwork—and her zest for life is something others living with a chronic disease can look up to..
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that impacts the central nervous system, causing numbness or tingling in the limbs. Although there is no cure for MS, several treatment options can help manage symptoms.
- Some people battling a serious disease like MS are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between are valid.
- Caufield went public with her diagnosis in 2022, but she doesn’t often share insight into her battle with MS. However, she does share uplifting posts to social media. Remember, patients may choose to keep a diagnosis to themselves for a myriad of reasons, such as a wish to maintain a sense of privacy or normalcy or to avoid stigma.
The 52-year-old mom of one, who chose not to go public with her MS diagnosis until about five years ago because she didn’t want it to affect her career, often takes to social media to share her stylish outfits and impressive artwork.
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She also recently shared a photo of her wearing a bright-colored summer dress, writing, “I am an everything but summer girl. But summer dresses make me a feel a certain type of way, especially this red hot number by @nataliemartincollection (not an ad).
“Thank you for sending it my way. What do you like to wear with the heat rises?”
Caulfield added, “Nothing like a little Natalie Martin Collection dress and Wacaol bralette, Londontown nail polish, and a silver necklace won’t fix.”
In other posts, she showed off a black cotton sundress and a plaid houndstooth blazer, also standing in what seems to be her bedroom.
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Caulfield also recently shared an update on one of her paintings, writing, “Many of you loved this painting as it previously existed. Something told me it wasn’t done so I went back.
“She’s done now. I think there’s a series here. More to come.”
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Her painting greeted with immense praise from fans, especially because she asked what they see in her art. One fan commented, “I love this painting. It is telling me to keep going. Keep climbing. Keep going. Definitely keep them coming.”
Another fan wrote, “Sunshine through the trees. The promise of tomorrow.”
“I see rain and glowing light,” commented a third.
Prior to sharing her updated painting, she offered fans a glimpse of the painting, but it was simply black and white.
The new version offered light hues of blue, grey and yellow.
We’re glad to see Caulfield enjoying getting dressed and utilizing her creativity while living with MS.
For anyone who has just received a diagnosis of MS, Dr. Lauren Krupp, a neurologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City, suggested in a recent interview with SurvivorNet, “It’s a good thing to understand what that means in terms of what kind of condition is this. Will your children get it? The likelihood is your children will not get it.
“MS is a disorder. That’s a combination of a genetic predisposition and environmental factors. And those interactions probably have happened during your childhood or adolescence. So when you present with your first symptoms years later, there’s nothing that you did that caused it. It’s not your fault.”
As for what to do to cope with a diagnosis and decide on how to move forward, Dr. Krupp suggests getting a better understanding of why the diagnosis as been made.
She explained, “Once you know the diagnosis, you really want to ask about treatment and what you can do. You want to understand what is the efficacy level of the therapies that are being discussed. What’s the risks of those therapies? What are the side effects, side effects and risks are different. How do you take it? Think about what’s going to work for you.
“It’s scary, it’s overwhelming … but the great news is people with MS today are doing amazingly well. Really well. It’s much different than it used to be. It’s a very rewarding space for me to be in because I see how well people are doing today.”
Expert Resources On Multiple Sclerosis
Dr. Krupp concluded, “So don’t feel like without hope, because I think one, the likelihood is if you’ve just been diagnosed that you’ll do well. And there’s a lot of research going on that’s there to make things even better than they are.”
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Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis causes the immune system to attack cells that form the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers in the spinal cord. The disruption leads to communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body.
Once the protective barrier is damaged, the spinal cord struggles to send messages to the arms, legs, and other parts of the body to function normally.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society outlines the different types of multiple sclerosis:
- Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS): This is when an individual experiences a single neurological episode lasting 24 hours or less. CIS is what MS is diagnosed as until there is a second episode.
- Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS): The most common MS among the million people battling the disease in the US, RRMS is marked by sudden flare-ups, new symptoms, or worsening of symptoms and cognitive function. The condition will then go into remission for some time before reemerging with no known warning signs.
- Primary progressive MS (PPMS): These individuals have no flare-ups or remission, just a steady decline with progressively worse symptoms and an increasing loss of cognitive and body functions.
- Secondary progressive MS (SPMS): This is an almost transitional form of MS that progresses from RRMS to PPMS.
In addition to balance issues, numbness, and tingling in the limbs, other common MS symptoms include vision and bladder control problems. Mood changes and mental and physical fatigue are other symptoms people living with MS may experience according to the National Institute of Health.
Treating Multiple Sclerosis
There is no cure for MS, but MS warriors battling the disease do have methods to manage their symptoms.
Common tools MS patients use to improve their quality of life include wheelchairs, canes, leg braces and some medical treatments called disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).
A study in American Family Physician found DMTs “has been shown to slow disease progression and disability; options include injectable agents, infusions, and oral medications targeting different sites in the inflammatory pathway.”
While chemotherapy is widely known as a cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells, it is also effective at slowing down or stopping disease activity in MS. Caulfield’s fellow actress Selma Blair previously underwent chemotherapy as part of her treatment for MS.
Do What You Love After a Diagnosis
During or after cancer treatment, or living with a chronic illness, it can be hard to focus on anything except your treatment or the challenges that may arise. However, Caulfield is a wonderful example that it’s important to take a moment and focus on something that makes you genuinely happy.
Experts recommend you try to take some time out of your day a few times a week and really enjoy those special pockets of joy.
“We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes,” Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology, previously told SurvivorNet.
“So working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment [and] your emotional well-being are important and can impact your survival. If that’s related to what activities you do that bring you joy, then you should try to do more of those activities.”
Learning How To Overcome Adversity
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are diagnosed with MS or may be concerned you have the chronic disease due to symptoms you’re experiencing, consider asking your doctor the following questions.
- Although there’s no cure for MS, which treatment option to manage my symptoms do you recommend for me?
- Are there any potential side effects of MS treatment?
- What if the treatment to manage symptoms doesn’t work?
- Will exercise or therapy help my symptoms?
- Are there any MS support groups you recommend to help me cope?
Coping with a Chronic Illness
Coping with a chronic illness is an ongoing journey. SurvivorNetTV’s Defying All Odds shows that journey, with Dr. Terry Wahls at the helm.
The world-renowned doctor and scientist documented her powerful story from diagnosis to recovery as she moved through Multiple sclerosis. Dr. Wahls was determined to continue practicing medicine. Dr. Wahls relies on support tools for her condition. She uses a wheelchair.
SurvivorNetTV Presents Defying All Odds A World-Renowned Doctor’s Incredible Journey Through MS
Dr. Wahls also made significant changes to her lifestyle, like practicing a paleo diet consisting mainly of grass-fed meat, fish, leafy and root vegetables, and nuts. After opting for her paleo diet, the doctor saw some improvements in her condition.
Selma Blair’s and Dr. Wahls’ stories of success amid a challenging chronic illness is a testament to how it is possible to overcome obstacles even if the odds are stacked against us.
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Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
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