HEAR FROM PEOPLE
WHO ARE TAKING BRIUMVI

In February of 2022, I remember telling my coworker that the left side of my face above my eyebrow felt numb. Within the next few days, the numbness progressed further down my face, and I felt like I couldn’t speak clearly. I just let it go, thinking I was just a little stressed like others who work full-time and have kids. More symptoms started arising, and I thought maybe I should call my healthcare provider. I had vision issues, and my balance was off, so my doctor suggested I seek emergency care, as it sounded like a stroke. I hung up and was baffled – “how could I be having a stroke at 33 years old?” After a month of hospital stays and countless tests, I was diagnosed with RMS.

I started the first course of treatment recommended by my doctor which was an oral medication, but my follow-up MRI showed new lesions, as well as a few that grew. I started really taking charge of my health. I decided to reach out to social media groups for people with MS to see if anyone in the area had suggestions for a new neurologist. Someone recommended a neurologist who specializes in the disease, and I was so happy after meeting with him and his team.

My neurologist and his team gave me options regarding different treatment plans and told me we needed to treat the disease aggressively. I was glad to have the option to start on infusions because I prefer that to remembering to take pills every day.

I decided to create my own social media group to connect with others on BRIUMVI. The group has grown since I started it, and I am so glad that others can now connect with people on this treatment. At this point in my treatment journey, I am happy to share that BRIUMVI is working for me, as my most recent MRI showed no active lesions and no new lesions.

As my journey continues with RMS, I keep an open mind and continue to tell myself that MS is not going to stop me! Putting a smile on my face and continuing to look at the bright side makes me feel good inside. Being my own advocate and never being afraid to ask questions has helped me during my MS journey, but I could not have done any of this journey on my own. My family support system is a major part of me being able to push through.

I experienced migraines and changes in my vision, which led me to a meeting with a neuro-ophthalmologist. During my first appointment, it was clear that something was wrong. I was advised to check into the hospital to undergo testing, find treatment, and reach a diagnosis as quickly as possible. After questions and testing, including an MRI, blood test and spinal tap, I was diagnosed with RMS.

I was on an oral therapy when I was first diagnosed, but I started feeling symptoms of numbness, pain and tingling around my face and head, and weakness on my entire left side. Weeks later, I was home alone and had dizziness, which led to a bad fall. I was rushed to the hospital where I was told that I had a significant relapse. This relapse caused immediate impacts to my short-term memory, cognitive functions, as well as Bell’s palsy impairments to the entire right side of my face.

When looking for a treatment, a few of the neurologists recommended BRIUMVI due to the results seen in clinical studies. My family’s support also played a significant role in my decision. Due to my vision, balance and cognitive impairments, I was unable to drive myself to appointments and depended on my mother to drive me anywhere. She was determined to be by my side during the infusions, and since she lived several hours away, the option of BRIUMVI, a 1-hour infusion following the starting dose, was a good choice for me.

Despite the challenges with RMS, I am determined not to let it define or limit me. I am fortunate to have a very caring boyfriend who has stood by me through this journey, making sure that I get to attend every concert or event I set my mind on attending. He spends time identifying all accessibility options and precautions so that I feel safe and comfortable. These events remind me that I am still capable of doing things I like to do, just in a new way. I can still have fun!

I remember the day my life was about to change in November of 2006 while celebrating my wife’s 40th birthday. I had just finished playing 18 holes of golf and out of nowhere, I lost my balance and fell and broke one of my toes. The following day and the rest of the week, I started feeling pins and needles in both of my arms, legs, and the left side of my face. I went to get an MRI, and I was very on edge, not knowing what was causing these sensations. I was trying to read my doctor’s face when he was putting up my MRI films to show me the images. I still get chills thinking about it all these years later. My doctor explained to me about MS and suggested I see a neurologist.

After speaking with a few different neurologists, we decided on an injectable treatment that I had to take every other day. I had some side effects including flu-like symptoms and some redness around the injection site, but I remained on this treatment for many years. After some time, I didn’t want to inject myself, so my neurologist suggested an infusion medication.

When I scheduled my infusion, I was very excited that it would be for 1 hour, every 24 weeks following the starting dose. No more injections every other day! I am glad we decided on BRIUMVI and my doctor says I am doing well.

I have a healthy lifestyle today which is very important for me at this stage of my life. I am often asked how I keep so positive and so active, and my response is that you have a choice in your life when you’re handed an obstacle in front of you; you either find a way to get around this obstacle, or you let the obstacle beat you or define you. I am determined to live my life so that RMS does not define me, I define my RMS.