We’ve all had tired eyes from spending too much time looking at phones and computers, so when Naomi Donaldson began to experience blurred vision, coupled with a pressure and pain in her eye, when she was in her mid-twenties, her doctor referred her to an optician, who advised regular screen breaks.
Adhering to this advice, her symptoms improved and she didn’t think any more about it, until four years later, in 2011, when she temporarily lost the sight in her left eye.
Without vision for a couple of days, she immediately knew what was wrong with her as her sister had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis the previous year and had experienced similar symptoms. Her grandmother had also died from it in 1996.
“As a result of my sister’s diagnosis, mine was pretty quick,” said the 43-year-old, who lives in Meath with her husband Ronan and son Evan. “Once I began experiencing the symptoms again I knew straight away what it was, so I visited my GP who referred me to St Vincent’s for MRIs and a lumbar puncture.”
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After receiving the official diagnosis, she thought she would be prepared, but says that it wasn’t until the reality of living with MS hit her that she ‘really had to come to terms with it’.
“Initially, I was massively in denial and the shock of a relapse (in 2013) knocked me not only physically, but emotionally too,” she said. “On the outside I talked about what a positive life I was living as a person with MS, but in reality, because I hadn’t been looking after myself properly, I ended up becoming unwell again. Thankfully, I soon realised I needed to get a grip, take my health seriously and stop doubting myself.”
Friday, May 30th, is World MS Day, when health officials aim to shine a light on the condition which affects more than 10,000 people in Ireland. Although often genetic, there are other reasons why people can develop MS, the condition in which the immune system harms the protective covering of nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
Dr Hugh Kearney, consultant neurologist in the MS Unit at St James’s Hospital, says that the main risk factor for MS is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). But while this common virus infects most people, only a small number develop MS.
“The relationship between the virus and MS is complex,” he said. “It’s the immune (system) response to the virus which matters most, not just the infection itself. Low vitamin D in early life, childhood obesity, smoking and social health factors can affect the immune system. And, there is a genetic component to the response to the virus.”
Dr Kearney says that although, there is no single MS gene, many genes related to immune function may increase the risk. MS is not inherited like other diseases, but having a family member with MS does increase the risk to a small degree.
The immune-mediated disease affects more women than men and usually happens between 20 and 40, but some can show symptoms in childhood or after the age of 50. Worldwide, 2.9 million people have MS, and the number of cases is rising – with symptoms varying from person to person.
“Common signs are pain behind an eye, vision loss, balance issues, double vision and numb legs with power loss,” he said. “Many people recall symptoms starting long before a diagnosis, such as fatigue, mood changes and urinary issues. Together, these symptoms form a pattern known as the prodrome. Right now, spotting this pattern of non-specific symptoms before neurological problem occurs is tough. But, research is working to make early detection better.”
Detecting MS early is crucial and diagnostic criteria highlights this. Dr Kearney says that current treatments can help prevent future issues, but they can’t fix past damage, which highlights the need for a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to treating the condition.
World MS Day helps people to know the early signs. It also builds connections, pushes for better care access, and teaches others about the condition’s realities.
“The day is designed to unite the MS community, support those affected and raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with the condition,” he said.”
Donaldson agrees and says that MS Ireland also offers invaluable support and people with the condition should never be afraid to reach out for help.
“As a person with MS you are your biggest cheerleader, so it’s important to let your voice be heard,” she said. “Ask all the questions, no matter how unimportant you may think they are. Understand why your neurologist is recommending one treatment over another, find out what supports are available to you, and ask for help.
“Listen to your inner voice, not the negative one that tells you that you can’t do things, but the one that tells you that you can, that you are strong enough, and that nudges you to ask questions. Living with a chronic illness, you can sometimes already be on the back foot health-wise, so you need to look after yourself, both physically and emotionally, to allow you to be the best, healthiest version of yourself.”
For more information visit www.ms-society.ie
