Well, I feel that now is as appropriate a time as any to give an update, seeing how I received my diagnosis almost exactly two years ago. Or, even better, since there's not a whole lot to update on, it may be more helpful to spell out the history of my MS.
Summer-fall 2008: I notice some bizarre emotional symptoms that may or may not be related to MS, such as not being able to sing certain song without crying. I suspect connection with MS, because I've noticed them return in conjunction with MS attacks. An employer of mine from this period would later remark that my balance and stability seemed a little shaky for someone of 26 years of age.
January 2009: An attack begins, with pins and needles/numbness starting in my right foot and eventually spreading throughout the lower 2/3rds of my body. Primary symptoms persist for at least 6 weeks. Residual symptoms including the MS hug persist for months.
February 2009: After two MRIs, cerebral and spinal, active lesions are detected in both scans. Diagnosed with RRMS.
August 2009: Second attack begins, initially causing motor dysfunction on the right side of the body. Food drop, lack of coordination in the arm, some difficulty speaking. These symptoms waxed and waned over the next few weeks, along with a return of numbness in the legs.
October 2009: After a few weeks where my symptoms calmed down, numbness with pins-and-needles appeared in my right arm and spread through that side of my head and neck. Foot drop also returned. Residual symptoms in my hand have been apparent ever since. A visit with a neuro confirms my diagnosis of RRMS after observing the symptoms and MRI images. I'm given the tentative prognosis of walking with a cane in 3 years time, and a wheelchair in 5.
December 2009: After doing some work that required kneeling for extended periods of time, my toes became numb, and normal sensation didn't return for over a month.
April 2010: I take my dose of 35 hookworm larvae, which happens to coincide with a new attack. Patchy numbness throughout the legs persists for several weeks.
June 2010: Numbness and pins-and needles affect a small area on the right front side of my face. Within two weeks all appears normal.
February 2011: Some subtle food-drop and coordination issues in the right hand again, lasting only a week.
In summary: 2008 was puzzling
2009 was hell
2010 was bearable
2011... well... remains to be seen
While I can't claim 100% remission since dosing with helminths, my MS activity certainly seems much more subdued in the 10 months that I've been hosting them...
