The Beginner's Guide to Walking - a Column by Jennifer V.

Returning to acupuncture for pain management after 14 years

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with acupuncture for pain management. Not everyone will have the same response to the practice. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. It’d been 14 years since I lay on a table, acupuncture needles gently placed along meridians meant to…

For me, preventing relapses involves harsh medication side effects

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with various medication side effects. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) feels like navigating a series of trade-offs. One of the most…

I have NMOSD, and I want to climb a volcano

Volcán de Fuego, a volcano in Guatemala, has been struck by lightning while it erupts. Just think about that for a second — a volcano already spewing lava and ash getting electrified by the sky. It’s one of Mother Nature’s most breathtaking and fearsome displays of power. Some brave souls…

The benefits of ‘bed rotting’ for NMOSD patients

There’s a lot of things that people don’t see about me. I deal with fatigue, pain, and other unpredictable symptoms that come with having neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Even the simplest tasks can require monumental effort to complete. That’s why “bed rotting,” as it’s called, has become an…

Managing skin issues caused by NMOSD and its treatments

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is largely known for its effect on the central nervous system, but the associated skin issues are often overlooked. For those of us living with NMOSD, the skin can become a silent messenger, reflecting the internal battle happening within our body. From goose…

My treatment plan now includes Ultomiris

Note: This column describes the author’s early experiences with Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz) and refers to past therapies she’s tried. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. I find myself whispering silent prayers throughout the day, pleading for my neuromyelitis…