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My name is Lucy. As many of you may not know, I was diagnosis with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in 2010. But began having symptoms back in 2005.
Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system, (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). It can cause problems with vision, balance, muscle control, and other basic body functions. The effects are often different for everyone who has the disease.
MS happens when your immune system attacks a fatty material called myelin, which wraps around your nerve fibers to protect them. Without this outer shell, your nerves become damaged. Scar tissue may form.
The damage means your brain can’t send signals through your body correctly. Your nerves also don’t work as they should to help you move and feel.
Living with MS has had a dramatic effect on my life. Most days I have to force myself out of bed, and push myself to get through the day. Some days the smallest of things are extremely hard for me to do. I lose my balance and often forget what I'm doing, or forget what I'm talking about on the middle of a sentence. My hands, legs and abdomen will randomly go numb and it can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few months at a time. I experience all over body pain daily. I try to not think about having MS because I tell myself that I am stronger than this disease. But lately it has been extremely hard for me to keep going. My symptoms vary from day to day, and the list of symptoms I experience is a long one. The worst of them being extreme fatigue. It's not at all like being tired because you only got a few hours of sleep. It's a debilitating feeling. Your mind wants to do so many things that your body just can't do. Sleeping does not and will not help this feeling. I honestly cannot remember the last time I was not tired. Literally my entire adult life I have had this feeling. MS effects a person not just physically, but more so, mentally and emotionally. Emotionally the worst part is not being able to do all the things I would love to do with my 3 year old daughter.
I have tried multiple MS medicines, pain/nerve and anti-fatigue medications. Nothing has had any long lasting effect for me and often times lead to bad reactions.
About 4 months ago I came across an article about the TVAM process. After reading this article I began doing more research. It stated that most MS patients don’t realize they are very likely to have another condition known as autonomic dysfunction, or dysautonomia... and that it is dysautonomia, rather than MS, that is responsible for many of their most debilitating symptoms. It’s a type of neuropathy that affects the nerves carrying information from the brain and spinal cord to all the major organ systems in the body.
Dysautonomia is a well-studied condition that is seen in all neurodegenerative diseases, including MS, Lyme’s, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Parkinson’s and ALS. By treating dysautonomia, the underlying condition (in my case, MS) can be improved.
A medical specialist in Newport Beach, California, Dr. Michael A. Arata, of Autonomic Specialists, is internationally recognized in the treatment of diseases relating to the veins, and he has discovered that vein dilation therapy can lead to improved autonomic function and a better quality of life for those patients with symptoms like mine. Dr. Arata is the innovator of TVAM (Transvascular Autonomic Modulation), which is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed via catheter much like angioplasty. TVAM targets the nerves that travel with the large central veins of the neck, chest and abdomen. Using a small, inflatable balloon device, the nerve fibers surrounding the veins are stimulated by dilating the veins, which essentially “resets” the autonomic nervous system. More than 90% of his patients have had symptom improvement! The reviews are unbelievable.
After reading this, for the first time in my life since being diagnosed, I had hope. Hope of feeling better and getting my quality of life back!! It literally brings tears to my eyes with the very thought.
Unfortunately my health insurance will not cover this procedure because it is considered to be out of network. The procedure costs $10,000 and needs to be paid in full before the procedure takes place. On top of the procedure cost, airfare and hotel stay is also expensive. California is the only place that offers this specific procedure.
This was not an easy thing for me to do. I thought about not doing it at all many times. Anyone who knows me, knows I am a very independent person who doesn't even want someone to buy me a cup of coffee, let alone ask for something as big like this. But I have decided the correct thing to do, is lower my pride and ask for help for the first time in my life. I know that this is not something I can do on my own. This is not only to get the quality of life back for myself but also for my daughter and husband's sake as well. This effects them in more ways than you would think too. It is with a humble heart that I ask for your help. No amount you give is too small and just know I whole heartily appreciate every dollar that you are able to give. Even if you are not able to give, you can help me by sharing this with friends or family. All my gratitude and million thanks.
Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system, (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). It can cause problems with vision, balance, muscle control, and other basic body functions. The effects are often different for everyone who has the disease.
MS happens when your immune system attacks a fatty material called myelin, which wraps around your nerve fibers to protect them. Without this outer shell, your nerves become damaged. Scar tissue may form.
The damage means your brain can’t send signals through your body correctly. Your nerves also don’t work as they should to help you move and feel.
Living with MS has had a dramatic effect on my life. Most days I have to force myself out of bed, and push myself to get through the day. Some days the smallest of things are extremely hard for me to do. I lose my balance and often forget what I'm doing, or forget what I'm talking about on the middle of a sentence. My hands, legs and abdomen will randomly go numb and it can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few months at a time. I experience all over body pain daily. I try to not think about having MS because I tell myself that I am stronger than this disease. But lately it has been extremely hard for me to keep going. My symptoms vary from day to day, and the list of symptoms I experience is a long one. The worst of them being extreme fatigue. It's not at all like being tired because you only got a few hours of sleep. It's a debilitating feeling. Your mind wants to do so many things that your body just can't do. Sleeping does not and will not help this feeling. I honestly cannot remember the last time I was not tired. Literally my entire adult life I have had this feeling. MS effects a person not just physically, but more so, mentally and emotionally. Emotionally the worst part is not being able to do all the things I would love to do with my 3 year old daughter.
I have tried multiple MS medicines, pain/nerve and anti-fatigue medications. Nothing has had any long lasting effect for me and often times lead to bad reactions.
About 4 months ago I came across an article about the TVAM process. After reading this article I began doing more research. It stated that most MS patients don’t realize they are very likely to have another condition known as autonomic dysfunction, or dysautonomia... and that it is dysautonomia, rather than MS, that is responsible for many of their most debilitating symptoms. It’s a type of neuropathy that affects the nerves carrying information from the brain and spinal cord to all the major organ systems in the body.
Dysautonomia is a well-studied condition that is seen in all neurodegenerative diseases, including MS, Lyme’s, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Parkinson’s and ALS. By treating dysautonomia, the underlying condition (in my case, MS) can be improved.
A medical specialist in Newport Beach, California, Dr. Michael A. Arata, of Autonomic Specialists, is internationally recognized in the treatment of diseases relating to the veins, and he has discovered that vein dilation therapy can lead to improved autonomic function and a better quality of life for those patients with symptoms like mine. Dr. Arata is the innovator of TVAM (Transvascular Autonomic Modulation), which is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed via catheter much like angioplasty. TVAM targets the nerves that travel with the large central veins of the neck, chest and abdomen. Using a small, inflatable balloon device, the nerve fibers surrounding the veins are stimulated by dilating the veins, which essentially “resets” the autonomic nervous system. More than 90% of his patients have had symptom improvement! The reviews are unbelievable.
After reading this, for the first time in my life since being diagnosed, I had hope. Hope of feeling better and getting my quality of life back!! It literally brings tears to my eyes with the very thought.
Unfortunately my health insurance will not cover this procedure because it is considered to be out of network. The procedure costs $10,000 and needs to be paid in full before the procedure takes place. On top of the procedure cost, airfare and hotel stay is also expensive. California is the only place that offers this specific procedure.
This was not an easy thing for me to do. I thought about not doing it at all many times. Anyone who knows me, knows I am a very independent person who doesn't even want someone to buy me a cup of coffee, let alone ask for something as big like this. But I have decided the correct thing to do, is lower my pride and ask for help for the first time in my life. I know that this is not something I can do on my own. This is not only to get the quality of life back for myself but also for my daughter and husband's sake as well. This effects them in more ways than you would think too. It is with a humble heart that I ask for your help. No amount you give is too small and just know I whole heartily appreciate every dollar that you are able to give. Even if you are not able to give, you can help me by sharing this with friends or family. All my gratitude and million thanks.