Managing Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms and Live TV
- “Fox and Friends” meteorologist Janice Dean, 53, lives with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that causes numbness or weakness in the limbs. She’s experienced symptoms for nearly 20 years that sometimes emerge during live television broadcasts. “Sometimes it’s tough to put on that smiling face, but we have to do it,” she says.
- Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the brain and central nervous system that causes numbness or tingling in the limbs, fatigue, lack of coordination, blurry vision, and unsteady gait.
- Although MS does not have a cure, common tools such as wheelchairs, canes, leg braces, and some medical treatments called disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) may improve the quality of life for people living with the disease.
- A study in American Family Physician found that 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.”
Fox and Friends meteorologist Janice Dean, 53, says behind her vibrant smile on morning television, she sometimes fights through symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Dean has lived with the chronic disease since 2005. It is a disease of the brain and central nervous system that causes numbness or weakness in the limbs, fatigue, lack of coordination, blurry vision, and unsteady gait.
“I’m smiling on Fox and Friends, but inside, it can be quite a challenge,” Dean said.
“MS really doesn’t present itself in a lot of ways. I call it the invisible illness…We can be looking fine – I got my hair and makeup done – but inside of us, our bodies are attacking the central nervous system between the brain and the spine. There’s a communication breakdown between the message sent from the brain to the rest of the body,” she continued.
The popular weathercaster remains hopeful treatment advancements for MS continue so people living with the chronic disease can make the most of their lives.
“Even if we don’t have a cure to this, there’s hope we can stop the progression altogether. There are new therapies out there, and promising things are on the horizon. I’m still hopeful,” Dean said.
Helping Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Resources
The Impact Multiple Sclerosis Brings
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 communicate to the body’s arms, legs, and other parts to function normally.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society shares the different types of multiple sclerosis:
- Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) 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 almost transitional form of MS progresses from RRMS to PPMS.
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 that 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.
Research published in Frontiers in Neurology last year says autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) (also called bone marrow transplantation, with autologous meaning a patient’s own cells) used for multiple sclerosis therapy helps “reset the immune system.” Several studies and clinical trials using AHSCT have shown promise.
“In a meta-analysis of published studies using AHSCT for MS treatment, the pooled estimated transplant-related mortality was 2.1%, two-year disease progression rate was 17.1%, five-year progression rate of 23.3%, and a pooled 83% of patients with no evidence of disease activity at two years. Patients who had the most benefit and least mortality rate were patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).”
WATCH: SurvivorNetTV Presents: Defying All Odds – A World-Renowned Doctor’s Incredible Journey Through MS
Research published by NEJM Journal Watch says that AHSCT helps MS patients with relapse reduction better than other forms of MS treatment.
SurvivorNet has had the opportunity to share the stories of resilience from other multiple sclerosis patients. The disease impacts everyone differently. This resilient group of people shares how they work every day to persevere.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 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?
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