Diagnosis is a diagnosis of exclusion. Eventually with my set of symptoms it became clear that only two illnesses fit well enough. Fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis. A clear MRI eliminated MS as an option.
---
Treatment is a multi-pronged attack.
I have a drug cocktail aimed at desensitisation of the nervous system. It works well enough to take the edge off, but not during a flare up or relapse. It's the least important and least effective part of treatment.
I have a psychologist, aimed at pain management. The mental techniques around dealing with pain and stress on a daily basis. This becomes more important during a flare. It is also probably the most important part of treatment.
I have a physiotherapist. I need to maintain a certain level of physical activity or the illness can rapidly get worse, whilst at the same time, too much activity can also cause the same process.
---
I should also point out that if I became completely resistant to treatment, a possibility for the future if things get worse, then my pain specialist is also involved in a series of trials using ketamine that usually results in desensitisation of the nervous system over the course of a couple weeks.
Point being, there is always hope for increasing quality of life, even if there is currently no hope of cure.
I know someone who also had suspected MS, and a clear MRI. Just to be sure, they also did a lumbar puncture. That actually confirmed the MS (presence of inflammation) despite the clear MRI.
Point being that a clear MRI does not totally eliminate MS.
---
Treatment is a multi-pronged attack.
I have a drug cocktail aimed at desensitisation of the nervous system. It works well enough to take the edge off, but not during a flare up or relapse. It's the least important and least effective part of treatment.
I have a psychologist, aimed at pain management. The mental techniques around dealing with pain and stress on a daily basis. This becomes more important during a flare. It is also probably the most important part of treatment.
I have a physiotherapist. I need to maintain a certain level of physical activity or the illness can rapidly get worse, whilst at the same time, too much activity can also cause the same process.
---
I should also point out that if I became completely resistant to treatment, a possibility for the future if things get worse, then my pain specialist is also involved in a series of trials using ketamine that usually results in desensitisation of the nervous system over the course of a couple weeks.
Point being, there is always hope for increasing quality of life, even if there is currently no hope of cure.