Great strength evolved into extreme weakness
In a few short years, I went from a strong star hockey player
to a very weak individual who could no longer stand up on ice
skates. I even walked with a limp and struggled to button up
my clothes. I knew something was really wrong when I started
out on a 2 mile walk around the lake one day and after
several hundred feet, I just couldn't go any further. It was just
too tiring to walk. This lake which I ran around with great
vigor a few years previously was now an impossible feat.
I can remember going down to the local medical supply store
to buy a device for my drop foot. I found this to be a dramatic
event. After a short period of time I got rid of it. I could not
see myself as disabled. I refused to give in.
Diagnosis and treatment options
Eventually, my doctor at Virginia Mason concluded that I had
multifocal motor neuropathy and recommended I consider
prednisone. I found the list of side effects for prednisone very
troubling. Furthermore, there wasn't much evidence that
prednisone would even help, so I decided against this
treatment option. At this time there wasn't much information
available about multifocal motor neuropathy and the now
often prescribed intravenous immunogloblin (IVIg) was not
even mentioned as a treatment option. I moved on with my
life hoping I would find a solution.
In a few short years, I went from a strong star hockey player
to a very weak individual who could no longer stand up on ice
skates. I even walked with a limp and struggled to button up
my clothes. I knew something was really wrong when I started
out on a 2 mile walk around the lake one day and after
several hundred feet, I just couldn't go any further. It was just
too tiring to walk. This lake which I ran around with great
vigor a few years previously was now an impossible feat.
I can remember going down to the local medical supply store
to buy a device for my drop foot. I found this to be a dramatic
event. After a short period of time I got rid of it. I could not
see myself as disabled. I refused to give in.
Diagnosis and treatment options
Eventually, my doctor at Virginia Mason concluded that I had
multifocal motor neuropathy and recommended I consider
prednisone. I found the list of side effects for prednisone very
troubling. Furthermore, there wasn't much evidence that
prednisone would even help, so I decided against this
treatment option. At this time there wasn't much information
available about multifocal motor neuropathy and the now
often prescribed intravenous immunogloblin (IVIg) was not
even mentioned as a treatment option. I moved on with my
life hoping I would find a solution.
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A real life story of living with
Multifocal Motor Neuropathy
Welcome... I hope destiny brought you here.
This website is dedicated to helping all those
who are dealing with multifocal motor neuropathy,
an immune mediated demyelinating neuropathy.
Hello my name is Charles Leslie and I have been living
for 20 years with (or with the damage created by) the
immune mediated demyelinating neuropathy called
multifocal motor neuropathy. This is my story.
A promising hockey career was cut short
At 18 years old I was a very strong ice hockey player playing
for the Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Junior
Hockey League. I was at the peak of my hockey career when
I became very sick with mononucleosis and had to cut the
season short. I came back the following year, but had lost my
edge and decided to end my life long dream of playing in the
Olympics.
Begininning to experience perplexing symptoms
At age 21, I started to experience weakness in my right arm
which got progressively worse. These symptoms started
occurring during the time I was working at a summer job in an
aluminum factory. I had these weird twitching movements in
my fingers and thumb. For some reason my nerves were not
working correctly. The local doctors I went to were perplexed
with my situation and suggested I visit Virgina Mason Clinic in
Seattle.
A grim outlook and getting worse
I still remember one doctor in my home town who gave me
such a grim outlook for my future. I can still vividly remember
thinking I'm not going to let this grim outlook happen to me. I
want a future, I want to live. I'm just in my early twenties.
So I went down to Virginia Mason in Seattle where I was
evaluated for a year or two. As time when on I gradually got
worse. I can still remember walking through the hallways of
Virgina Mason and seeing all the sick people and wondering
why is this happening to me.
Multifocal Motor Neuropathy
Welcome... I hope destiny brought you here.
This website is dedicated to helping all those
who are dealing with multifocal motor neuropathy,
an immune mediated demyelinating neuropathy.
Hello my name is Charles Leslie and I have been living
for 20 years with (or with the damage created by) the
immune mediated demyelinating neuropathy called
multifocal motor neuropathy. This is my story.
A promising hockey career was cut short
At 18 years old I was a very strong ice hockey player playing
for the Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Junior
Hockey League. I was at the peak of my hockey career when
I became very sick with mononucleosis and had to cut the
season short. I came back the following year, but had lost my
edge and decided to end my life long dream of playing in the
Olympics.
Begininning to experience perplexing symptoms
At age 21, I started to experience weakness in my right arm
which got progressively worse. These symptoms started
occurring during the time I was working at a summer job in an
aluminum factory. I had these weird twitching movements in
my fingers and thumb. For some reason my nerves were not
working correctly. The local doctors I went to were perplexed
with my situation and suggested I visit Virgina Mason Clinic in
Seattle.
A grim outlook and getting worse
I still remember one doctor in my home town who gave me
such a grim outlook for my future. I can still vividly remember
thinking I'm not going to let this grim outlook happen to me. I
want a future, I want to live. I'm just in my early twenties.
So I went down to Virginia Mason in Seattle where I was
evaluated for a year or two. As time when on I gradually got
worse. I can still remember walking through the hallways of
Virgina Mason and seeing all the sick people and wondering
why is this happening to me.
The information on this website is provided for educational purposes only
- and for the sharing of life experience. It is not intended as a substitute for
professional advice of any kind. Multifocal motor neuropathy and other
immune mediated demyelinating neuropathies, nerve or autoimmune
disorders can be serious health conditions and can create serious
symptoms, so you should always consult with a licensed and qualified
health and medical professional. This site is not intended to substitute
for medical advice or treatment. It is recommended that you consult with a
qualified holistic physician and medical doctor for assistance in dealing
with your health problems or for guidance in starting any new health or
supplementation program.
This website contains ads with links to other websites operated by other
parties. We do not control such web sites and are not responsible for the
content and performance of these web sites or for your transactions with
them. We do not warrant the accuracy of the health information on this site
and we are not responsible for any consequence resulted from using this
information.
The information on this site not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or
prevent any disease or medical problems. A licensed physician should
be consulted for the treatment of any or all conditions. Your use of this
website indicates your agreement to these terms.
- and for the sharing of life experience. It is not intended as a substitute for
professional advice of any kind. Multifocal motor neuropathy and other
immune mediated demyelinating neuropathies, nerve or autoimmune
disorders can be serious health conditions and can create serious
symptoms, so you should always consult with a licensed and qualified
health and medical professional. This site is not intended to substitute
for medical advice or treatment. It is recommended that you consult with a
qualified holistic physician and medical doctor for assistance in dealing
with your health problems or for guidance in starting any new health or
supplementation program.
This website contains ads with links to other websites operated by other
parties. We do not control such web sites and are not responsible for the
content and performance of these web sites or for your transactions with
them. We do not warrant the accuracy of the health information on this site
and we are not responsible for any consequence resulted from using this
information.
The information on this site not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or
prevent any disease or medical problems. A licensed physician should
be consulted for the treatment of any or all conditions. Your use of this
website indicates your agreement to these terms.
|
After receiving dozens of emails from individuals who have
been diagnosed with multifocal motor neuropathy or other
nerve or autoimmune disorders, I've noticed that they are all
concerned about their future. So, I've decided to start the
Healthy Future newsletter and multifocal motor neuropathy blog.
been diagnosed with multifocal motor neuropathy or other
nerve or autoimmune disorders, I've noticed that they are all
concerned about their future. So, I've decided to start the
Healthy Future newsletter and multifocal motor neuropathy blog.
Free Newsletter and Blog
|
Love and unique supplements gave me hope
During this time I continued to struggle with weakness in my
hands, upper body, and right foot, but a few significant
events occurred in my life that gave me new hope. I met my
future wife, which gave my life meaning, love and a renewed
desire to live. I was also introduced to a few health products.
These products were probiotics, digestive enzymes, and blue
green algae. Within three months of taking these products I
actually felt fairly normal again. I recently met someone with
a rare neurological disorder that was also significantly helped
by these same products. He has a website called, Dystonia
Disease.
Set backs and diet changes
For about seven years I did quite well, although I know now I
was doing many things wrong with my overall diet. I had
become a vegetarian and believe I was missing many critical
elements in my diet.
On January 1st, 2000 luckily there was no major Y2K events
because I had a major life event. I seemed to have caught
some virus or something and I was really sick. I was in bed for
weeks and lost significant weight and strength. It literally took
me a year to recover.
This was a wake up call for me. I stopped being a vegetarian
and started to eat a more balanced diet which included high
quality meat, fish and poultry. I also got the help of several
health professionals so that overtime I stabilized.
One significant event I still clearly remember is over about a
two week period I coughed up about two bowls of mucus with
the last several days being a dark brown mucus. It must have
come from deep within my body. I am confident that this
event was a way for my body to naturally get rid of unwanted
toxins.
My current health status
I am currently doing well and overall I feel like I'm extremely
healthy. I feel very fortunate and blessed with the health I
have. Since my diagnosis of multifocal motor neuropathy,
over 20 years ago, I have not taken any medication. Instead,
it's been the health choices I've made and the love of my
wife, that have sustained me. I know that I would not be here
sharing this with you if it was not for the ongoing love and
support of my wonderful wife. She has nourished and cared
for me over the years and made it possible for me to recover
and have hope and meaning for the future.
Multifocal motor neuropathy is an autoimmune disorder
It has now been two decades living with (or with the damage
created by) this immune mediated demyelinating neuropathy
called multifocal motor neuropathy. It was actually just a few
years ago I discovered multifocal motor neuropathy was an
autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is a condition
that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and
destroys healthy body tissue. Unfortunately, the damage
caused by this autoimmune disorder has created obvious
atropy in my body. Knowing this earlier, could have made a
huge difference in the atropy and extreme weakness that I
have had to incur. However, this new discovery has helped
me realize why the nutritional choices I have made have been
beneficial to my recovery and stability.
Passionate and committed to helping others
I have learned a lot of the last twenty years. I'm thankful that
my prognosis has not lead to where most of the doctors had
predicted. That is, that my nerves were degenerating and
that I would continually get worse. I could never see myself
as an invalid or in a wheel chair. I have too much passion
for life.
I have made a personal commitment to learning what it's
going to take to continue to rebuild my health and have a
healthy, hopeful future. I am not a quitter and I want to be
able to enjoy my precious children well into my golden years.
During this time I continued to struggle with weakness in my
hands, upper body, and right foot, but a few significant
events occurred in my life that gave me new hope. I met my
future wife, which gave my life meaning, love and a renewed
desire to live. I was also introduced to a few health products.
These products were probiotics, digestive enzymes, and blue
green algae. Within three months of taking these products I
actually felt fairly normal again. I recently met someone with
a rare neurological disorder that was also significantly helped
by these same products. He has a website called, Dystonia
Disease.
Set backs and diet changes
For about seven years I did quite well, although I know now I
was doing many things wrong with my overall diet. I had
become a vegetarian and believe I was missing many critical
elements in my diet.
On January 1st, 2000 luckily there was no major Y2K events
because I had a major life event. I seemed to have caught
some virus or something and I was really sick. I was in bed for
weeks and lost significant weight and strength. It literally took
me a year to recover.
This was a wake up call for me. I stopped being a vegetarian
and started to eat a more balanced diet which included high
quality meat, fish and poultry. I also got the help of several
health professionals so that overtime I stabilized.
One significant event I still clearly remember is over about a
two week period I coughed up about two bowls of mucus with
the last several days being a dark brown mucus. It must have
come from deep within my body. I am confident that this
event was a way for my body to naturally get rid of unwanted
toxins.
My current health status
I am currently doing well and overall I feel like I'm extremely
healthy. I feel very fortunate and blessed with the health I
have. Since my diagnosis of multifocal motor neuropathy,
over 20 years ago, I have not taken any medication. Instead,
it's been the health choices I've made and the love of my
wife, that have sustained me. I know that I would not be here
sharing this with you if it was not for the ongoing love and
support of my wonderful wife. She has nourished and cared
for me over the years and made it possible for me to recover
and have hope and meaning for the future.
Multifocal motor neuropathy is an autoimmune disorder
It has now been two decades living with (or with the damage
created by) this immune mediated demyelinating neuropathy
called multifocal motor neuropathy. It was actually just a few
years ago I discovered multifocal motor neuropathy was an
autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is a condition
that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and
destroys healthy body tissue. Unfortunately, the damage
caused by this autoimmune disorder has created obvious
atropy in my body. Knowing this earlier, could have made a
huge difference in the atropy and extreme weakness that I
have had to incur. However, this new discovery has helped
me realize why the nutritional choices I have made have been
beneficial to my recovery and stability.
Passionate and committed to helping others
I have learned a lot of the last twenty years. I'm thankful that
my prognosis has not lead to where most of the doctors had
predicted. That is, that my nerves were degenerating and
that I would continually get worse. I could never see myself
as an invalid or in a wheel chair. I have too much passion
for life.
I have made a personal commitment to learning what it's
going to take to continue to rebuild my health and have a
healthy, hopeful future. I am not a quitter and I want to be
able to enjoy my precious children well into my golden years.
| Charles Leslie |