pain

Tonic spasms come on suddenly, last seconds to minutes, and feel like an eternity. They’re a painful and daily reality for many with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). And since my recent transverse myelitis (TM) attack, I’ve been experiencing them multiple times a day. These spasms cause intense…

During my recent family vacation, I made sure to take several mental pictures of the beach, sunrise, and calming blue skies. Over the past 15 years of living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), I’ve found it important to incorporate complementary therapies such as visualization, which has gotten me…

Note: This column describes the author’s own perspectives on several potential treatments for pain. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it a thousand times more: Living with pain is the worst.

Recovery is a long, windy road and I am not here for it. I deserve a break after having two optic neuritis attacks in the last couple months. Each episode was treated with a five-day regimen of Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone) infusions, and then my medical team inserted a port…

A significant proportion of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients in the U.S. lost employment, work hours, and wages after their diagnosis, as motor and visual disability and symptoms like pain and fatigue hurt their productivity, a study has found. Older patients, those using mobility aids, and those…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with medical marijuana products. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Living in Colorado is a dream for many reasons, including the fact that there are over 300…

Everyone knows that how we treat our bodies affects our health. Our habits, behaviors, and self-care — which include sleep, stress management, a healthy diet, and exercise — all play a role. Yet, somehow we often tend to overlook our skin. Particularly as patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), why…

The incidence of pain in adults with neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is high and was reported as the first sign of an inflammatory attack in half of patients, according to an examination of medical records. Neuropathic (nerve-related) pain, marked by uncomfortable burning or tingling, was the most common…

Age, sex, and spinal lesions may be risk factors for developing pain due to nerve damage — called neuropathic pain — in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a new study. Specifically, an older age at disease onset, female sex, and a greater number of lesions…

One of the most important jobs new parents have is to protect their children from pain. I am a mother of three, and every time one of my kids gets hurt, I want to take on the pain myself. When my youngest daughter, Bella, was hospitalized with neuromyelitis…