Multiple sclerosis
BMJ 2003; 326 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7402.1323 (Published 12 June 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;326:1323All rapid responses
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I must admire both Harriet Gaze and Dr Stephen Hempling for talking
openly about the impact of multiple sclerosis on their lives. It is a
credit to Dr Hempling that he has developed his skills and continues to
work in a way that is both personally challenging and professionally
fulfilling.
However, many people develop significant symptoms of multiple
sclerosis much earlier in their careers. I was still in my 30's.
Confidentiality was not my privilege - while in hospital, my diagnosis and
absence from work was debated in open court amongst professional
colleagues. After a single episode of illness I was retired on ill health
grounds.
We were living in an isolated part of the country that was chosen for
the consultant post not the beauty. Our mortgage was in its 7th year and
our child at primary school. My pension was 20% of my salary. I gave up my
driving license because of deteriorating eyesight.
I spent the early years of my retirement pursuiing activities that
were medicine related - this provided some diversion but little
intellectual, social or financial reward. Then I was 40.
Recently my situation has changed. With the support of an old friend
and colleague, I was offered a part-time job. I have taken a career shift
so must retrain. I now work in a consultant job share. The Trust is
learning to support my physical needs. Financial support for equipment has
come through Government sponsored schemes and a Charitable Trust. Job
sharing is working.
My client group feel as free to comment on my health as I do on
theirs. My colleagues, however, struggle to understand which aspects of my
personality and behaviour are uniquely mine and which are illness related.
It sounds like a success story. However, I now work 200 miles away
from home. Travelling is difficult and will become more so. Fatigue is
pervasive and the illness is active. I do not know how long I will be able
to work. Finding work closer to home feels risky. Yet to move with my
family to temporary employment is also risky. There are no winners with
multiple sclerosis - not even doctors - but there are many struggling and
surviving as best they can.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Concerning "Multiple sclerosis", by Harriet Gaze
(BMJ 2003; 326: 1323-1324):
There are two typoes in this article: In the box "For
more information", American Academy of Neurology
(www.ann.com) should be aan.com. Also, the MS News
web site (www.nsnews.org) should be www.msnews.org.
Also, it is interesting that the Pulfrich effect,
an optical illusion, can be used to measure multiple
sclerosis's effects on the optic nerve. Differential demyelination causes
differential transmission speeds in
the two optic nerves, leading to the same
effective visual delay as caused by holding a
neutral filter before one eye.
A paper by Rushton decribing diagnosis by the
Pulfrich effect is referenced at
http://www.siu.edu/pulfrich/Pulfrich_Pages/lit_pulf/1975_Rushton.htm
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Correction for Pulfrich Effect information source
A paper by Rushton decribing diagnosis by the Pulfrich effect is now
referenced at http://www.siu.edu/~pulfrich/
and not
http://www.siu.edu/pulfrich/Pulfrich_Pages/lit_pulf/1975_Rushton.htm.
Competing interests:
None
Competing interests: No competing interests