MSA Trust

Being diagnosed with MSA at age 39

“Everything has changed” Chris writes about life following his MSA diagnosis

I will get straight to the point. Everything has changed. I was an energetic, driven, enthusiastic, independent and outgoing “individual”. I’ve just celebrated my 40th birthday and was diagnosed in March 2015. The hard bit is giving up the things you worked towards and many (not all thankfully) of the things you love in life. I’m now retiring through Ill health; I’ve worked hard on my career and it’s a bitter pill to swallow. It’s a case of repositioning my objectives and my goals are more aligned to making memories with my young family.

The route to diagnosis wasn’t easy as there is no actual conclusive test; it’s primarily symptom based. Living on the Isle of Man complicated matters further. The most important thing is to keep healthy; body and mind.

Body

Exercising is a big issue with rapid falls in blood pressure affecting balance and consciousness! I found I preferred swimming due to the symptoms well before I’d even heard of postural hypotension (low blood pressure when changing posture). It’s challenging when it comes to exercise, but it’s also key to eat sensibly, don’t unnecessarily stress your body with toxins, take too much sun, too much cold, etc. This leads me to the benefits of oxygen. I’m not a medical genius, but I’m rather sure that oxygen can’t be anything but good for you. We need it from our very first seconds in life, to our very last.

Enough said. I know it won’t help my condition, but it’s all the other health and wellbeing benefits it does help with that I’m interested and that’s why I’ve been having weekly hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions.

Chris, next to Pete Wood of Lloyds Bank on the Isle of Man, who was cycling to raise money at a recent hyperbaric charity event

Chris, next to Pete Wood of Lloyds Bank on the Isle of Man, who was cycling to raise money at a recent hyperbaric charity event

An adequate level of oxygen is essential to recovery in many ailments; at pressures greater than normal, the body is able to incorporate more oxygen into blood cells, blood plasma, cerebral-spinal fluid and other bodily fluids. The elevated pressure (1.5 to 3.0 atmospheres) increases the amount of oxygen present in the bloodstream and available to tissues, 10 to 13 times over normal conditions. Hyperbaric oxygen provides immediate support to compromised tissue areas with marginal blood flow. Elevated levels of oxygen absorption significantly enhances the body’s ability to aid in its own healing.

Hyperbaric oxygen is used to treat all sorts of body ailments from scratches and scrapes, through to more serious conditions. Another benefit that’s not so obvious; you can form a strong bond with people when you’re all sat in a metal can for an hour three times per week!

Mind

Well, that’s complicated. Stay true to yourself. Communication with people around you and your loved ones; that’s the best medicine.

So living with MSA has its challenges but what I have found is that there are more wonderful people around than less desirable ones and I’m blessed to have access to many of them. In no particular order; the general NHS, my care team at UCLH Queen’s Square, my excellent GP, the Isle of Man local hospice and hyperbaric team, the MSA Trust, colleagues at Lloyds Bank, family and friends, and to all those who have supported charities giving time and money to worthy causes. All wonderful people.

Like I say, blessed. In return, I’ve volunteered to be “investigated” for research and statistical benefit. Nothing too invasive I might add, but the more information the researchers get to understand this terrible condition the closer we are to treating or eradicating future cases. Education is another element. Healthcare professionals may not be aware of MSA and it can go undiagnosed in many cases. There must be others who don’t have the support and understanding I have who are trying to make sense of what’s happening to them. Spread the word. Support the MSA Trust.

The Isle of Man Lloyds Bank team fundraising at a hyperbaric charity event

The Isle of Man Lloyds Bank team fundraising at a hyperbaric charity event


Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the blogs published on these pages are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the MSA Trust.

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Robert
Robert
5 years ago

Hello Chris
My father and I have enjoyed reading this and will investigate the oxygen trreatment. Dad has MSA diagnosed 3 years ago and is now 80. He wonders what specific effect the oxygen treatment had on your symptoms. Has it slowed the progress of MSA? We’re there any side effects? Thank you Chris and all best wishes

Karen
Karen
1 year ago
Reply to  Robert

Did you get a reply

Karen
Karen
1 year ago

Sorry but dose this work if so for how long and how much treatment do you need is the treatment on going and for how long do you get to feel the benefit for and why after 3 or more years have we not heard anything Chris to see how he is getting on

Nicole Adam
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Karen

Hello Karen

Thank you for taking the time to read the blog, as you hopefully will have seen this is an older blog from 2015. If you would like more information on anything medical I would recommend you speak to your MSA Healthcare Specialist (please get in touch at support@msatrust.org.uk if you do not know who to contact). Since this blog was written Chris has sadly passed away. Kind Regards, Nicole


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