Allison’s Story: Navigating Postpartum with an MS Diagnosis

It was the day before Allison Maiden’s 32^nd birthday, and she was looking forward to celebrating with the newest addition to the family: her son who had been born about two months ago. But before Allison could make it to the big day, she began experiencing some alarming symptoms that would lead to an unexpected diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

How the Symptoms Began

In the throes of postpartum, Allison began experiencing more than the average new-mom exhaustion. She was having vision problems and brain fog. “I almost felt drunk all of the time. Like the feeling you get when your eyes are crossed,” shares Allison.

The day before her birthday, October 28, 2022, Allison took a spill in the shower, and the symptoms just kept getting worse from there.

“It quickly got to a point where I couldn’t read, I couldn’t drive, and I was terrified to walk around carrying my son because I thought I was going to drop him,” Allison shares.

Seeking Answers

Allison knew it was time to seek medical help. She saw her primary care provider and an ear, nose and throat specialist, but neither could identify the cause of the symptoms. Then, she went to see her eye doctor. 

“He noticed that my eyes weren’t tracking objects together, and one was lagging behind a bit,” Allision shares. Her eye doctor referred her to an ophthalmologist, a type of eye doctor that specializes in advanced treatments. Before that appointment, Allison also had an MRI done.

It was at this ophthalmologist appointment in December 2022 that Allison got a proposed diagnosis. The provider performed an eye exam and looked at Allision’s recent MRI scan in her chart. “After looking at the MRI, he told me, ‘I’m not going to sugar coat it. I think you have MS,’” Allison recalls.

Getting Neurological Care

After the proposed diagnosis from the ophthalmologist, it was time to see a neurologist. “My primary care office was wonderful in working to get me in to see a neurologist quickly,” Allison shares.

After a physical exam and taking a look at her scans, the neurologist confirmed the MS diagnosis and knew that Allison needed immediate medical attention to treat her severe symptoms.

The neurologist told her that she needed to leave the appointment and go straight to the emergency room, and that he was going to call ahead to let them know that she was coming. When she arrived, she was admitted to ProMedica Toledo Hospital.

“They basically put me on an intense steroid IV to try to get all of my levels under control,” Allison shares. “I was there for three days and finally got to go home on New Year’s Eve.”

In early February 2023, Allison saw her neurologist, Amin Sanei Moghaddam, MD MPH, to discuss a treatment plan. The team didn’t waste any time. “We got right into treatment,” Allison shares.

Treating Allison’s MS

Dr. Sanei and Allison decided on a high-efficacy therapy plan designed to reduce relapse rates, minimize neurological damage accumulation and slow disability progression in MS patients.

“Early initiation of high-efficacy therapies has been shown to significantly improve long-term outcomes by reducing disease activity and preserving neurological function,” shares Dr. Sanei.

Allison received her first infusion on Feb. 27, 2023, and has received an infusion every six months since. The treatment plan has been a success. The brain lesions indicative of MS shown on her MRI have faded, meaning that they are beginning to heal. 

Allison has relapsing-remitting MS, which is characterized by periods of symptom flare-ups (relapses) followed by recovery phases (remissions), during which symptoms may partially or completely subside. Because her MS is being properly managed, she may not experience symptoms again, or for a very long time.

Allison’s Advice and What Life Looks Like Today

Since Allison’s initial episode, she has not experienced a single relapse (or recurrence of symptoms).

She credits this to the quick action that she took, and the quick treatment that she received. “If you’re experiencing symptoms like I was, don’t let it go. Especially when your symptoms don’t improve. It’s not something to mess with,” Allison stresses. “I could have ended up with more lesions if everyone hadn’t acted so quickly.”

Allison stays diligent with her infusion treatment regimen and has made positive lifestyle changes, including prioritizing hydration, exercise and balanced diet, to lower her chances of a relapse.

If you’ve received an MS diagnosis, Allison stresses that it’s important to stay calm. “The diagnosis will scare you. But when you get the news, don’t overreact. Everyone is different, but it’s manageable if you stay diligent with your treatment plan.”

Allison isn’t sure what the future holds, but she’s looking forward to being healthy to celebrate her son’s third and her 35^th birthday this fall.