Health Update
It’s been quite some time since I last provided any kind of an update on my health, and I figured now would be a great time.
I just completed my annual physical and I’m happy to report that I am in excellent health, all things considered (more on that in a bit). Like I’ve mentioned to some people, if it wasn’t for the fact that I knew I had MS, I wouldn’t know I had MS. I haven’t suffered from a noticeable relapse in almost eight years now (knock on wood). The only inwardly noticeable symptom I still experience is Lhermitte’s sign. Even with my Lhermitte’s, I don’t experience it on a daily basis, and even when I do, it’s nothing that takes my breath away when I get the tingling down my back and into my feet.
The worst my L’hermitte’s has been in the past eight years was a few months ago when I was recovering from shingles. During that time, I leaned my neck forward and felt a fierce jolt down my spine. I’m not sure if it was the shingles causing this, the Valacyclovir I was on to aid in my recovery, or a combination of the two. Whatever the case, my bout with shingles finally passed and I’ve since made a full recovery.
As for my annual physical, there isn’t a whole lot to report. My weight has been a steady 150-155 lbs. for the past 5-1/2 years. I’ve got a separate article I’m working on detailing issues with my weight in an upcoming article.
I’m going to be very transparent with the results of my blood tests. Below you will find tables of my test results for the past six years since I began seeing my primary care doctor. I’ve highlighted the key ones for me in green.
CBC
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
Hemoglobin A1C
Lipid Panel
Vitamin B12
I have a history of many different ailments that run in my family. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are rampant on both sides of my family, and type-II diabetes is very prevalent on my mom’s side of the family. It’s partly for this reason that I made the decision a number of years ago to embark on losing weight and trying to live a bit healthier life. While these conditions are in my genetics, I am doing all that I can to curb them, or at the very least delay them from happening.
I’ve included the Vitamin B12 results because this is a key ingredient in helping my body with MS. When I was initially diagnosed with MS over eight years ago, my B12 levels were barely above 200, well below where I needed to be given my condition. I take a 1000 mcg sublingual B12 supplement every day and this keeps my levels high. I am also taking 5000 IU of Vitamin D3. As of my latest test in August by my neurologist, my D3 levels are at 55, which is in the middle of the spectrum. At one point early on after my diagnosis of MS my D3 was 24, below the average levels on the spectrum.
Given all of the numbers for my blood tests and the status of my MS, I’m in pretty good health overall. I am going to continue on my current path with my diet and exercise regimen until my doctors say anything to the contrary.
