Monday, March 17, 2008

Upper Respiratory (Colds) and MS

I do NOT like having a disease that can strike at any time,espeically when I am coming down with a cold. My doctor explained to me that upper respiratory infections (colds) seem to trigger my MS flares. I have the mildest form of MS which is "relapsing-remitting". MS is a disease that immune system attacks and destroys nerve cells, nerve fibers, and myelin, which is the fatty covering that surrounds nerve fibers and cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Myelin is like a electric wire cover which electrical signals to and from your brain along wire-like extensions of the cells called axons, or nerve fibers. Myelin is the fatty substance that coats and protects these fibers, similar to the way insulation shields electrical wires. Like electric that the myelin separates nerve pathways from each other, allowing nerve impulses to travel from one location to another throughout the nervous system. One of the basic explanation for MS that I can clearly understand was this: “Multiple” refers to the multiple sites where nerve loss, or demyelination, occurs. “Sclerosis” refers to scar tissue, or “sclera” which can block or obstruct the flow of messages between nerves and muscles.

Anyway, I got two prescriptions:
1. anti-biotic for my upper respiratory infections
2. eye drops for my pink eyes.

My doctor gave me an okay to go back to work tomorrow as long as I am feeling good. I am planning to go and start having a life again.

4 comments:

BRAINCHEESE said...

Beware! Upper Respiratory issue is what seems to have triggered my most recent flare...well, that, a car accident, stress at work, and...LOL

Be well!

Linda D. in Seattle

whimsical brainpan said...

I'm so sorry to hear this Jim. I hope you feel better soon.

Norma said...

Hope you're on top of this soon. Thanks for stopping by.

Anonymous said...

I'm sending Well Wishes your way so you can return to work soon.

Take care,
Anne