MS Diagnosis Journey Laura Kolaczkowski

For the final episode of the MS Diagnosis Journey podcast, regular host Laura Kolaczkowski and editor Steve Woodward reflect on the stories that they've heard throughout the series.
In this chat, Laura and Steve look back on what they found most interesting in previous interviews. Mostly what they take away from the series is the generosity with which guests have shared their own personal stories.
Thank you to them and to everyone who has listened to and shared the MS Diagnosis Journey podcast.
If you or anyone you know can help with future sponsorship of this podcast, please email msdiagnosisjourney@gmail.com. 


Edited by Steve Woodward at The Podcasting Editor
Podcast artwork by Jackie Zimmerman at Queen of GSD
Background Music is “Old Photos” by Olexy 
Support of this project is made possible through the generosity of Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

In a change to our regular broadcasting, this time around it's regular host Laura Kolaczkowski's turn to share her journey to a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.
Despite having a family member with MS, Laura never thought that it was in her future, pushing past a number of symptoms that seem obvious in retrospect.
In this interview, Laura relates her initial symptoms and talks about how it was her mother who persuaded her to follow them up. She also talks about the dramatic event which started her road to a diagnosis and how she was lucky enough to link up with a world-renowned neurologist (and former guest on the MS Diagnosis Journey podcast) at the beginning of their career.
Laura is active in the national and local MS community, having facilitated patient programs including MS research and an MS Aquatics program. She is also a presence on the internet at MS patient sites. She is the Lead Patient Representative on the Governing Board for iConquerMS, The Accelerated Cure Project’s Patient Powered Research Network; she has served as a Patient Reviewer for the Patient Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI); the Department of Defence MS Congressionally Directed Research Program, and is certified as a PCORI Science-trained Ambassador.


Read Laura's articles on MultipleSclerosis.net
Interview by Steve Woodward
Edited by Steve Woodward at The Podcasting Editor
Podcast artwork by Jackie Zimmerman at Queen of GSD
Background Music is “Old Photos” by Olexy 
Support of this project is made possible through the generosity of Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

Damian Washington is a self-proclaimed high-energy dude. So it's easy to see why, when his enthusiasm started to dip on set, he and his wife knew something was wrong. It was so out of character that Damian refers to it as losing his essence of self.
As a black man, Damian speaks about the lack of representation he noticed at the time of diagnosis, something that he continues to combat in his advocacy work.
In this interview, Damian talks about his first symptoms, the number of 'ologists' that he collected, and their reluctance to give him a definitive diagnosis. He also shares some of the things he has learned from Eastern Religions and Philosophy which have helped him. 
Visit NoStressMS, Damian's YouTube channel
Visit Damian's website
Connect with Damian on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
Interview by Laura Kolaczkowski
Edited by Steve Woodward at The Podcasting Editor
Podcast artwork by Jackie Zimmerman at Queen of GSD
Background Music is “Old Photos” by Olexy 
Support of this project is made possible through the generosity of Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

As a physician and a patient living with Multiple Sclerosis, Dr. Susan Payrovi has a unique perspective on managing the condition. But even she dismissed her own initial symptoms, putting them down to exhaustion and tendonitis.
In this conversation, Dr. Payrovi recounts seeing four separate neurologists before a friend (who was a plastic surgeon) put a name to her symptoms. She also gives some great tips for keeping records of any unusual sensations. 
Through the use of self-care and lifestyle habits, Dr. Payrovi says that MS has given her the gift of focusing on what is important to her.
Dr. Payrovi practices Integrative and Functional Medicine at Stanford’s Center for Integrative Medicine, and is the founder of TRUE Medicine, an online wellness program for multiple sclerosis.
Visit True Medicine MS 
Interview by Laura Kolaczkowski
Edited by Steve Woodward at The Podcasting Editor
Podcast artwork by Jackie Zimmerman at Queen of GSD
Background Music is “Old Photos” by Olexy 
Support of this project is made possible through the generosity of Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

When Cassie Martin noticed sensations of tingling and numbness, she initially put it down to being in Wisconsin in the fall. But a feeling like a buzzer, running from her head to her feet, eventually led Cassie to Doctor Google who told her all about Lhermitte’s Sign, a possible symptom of Multiple Sclerosis.

In this interview, Cassie says that her diagnosis came about fairly quickly. But this was only because she took her initial symptoms to her primary care physician (PCP) as soon as possible. It can be hard to express what you're going through but getting to an expert early can provide you with answers.

Read Lhermitte’s Sign in MS: What It Is & How To Treat It (WebMD)

Interview by Laura Kolaczkowski
Edited by Steve Woodward at The Podcasting Editor
Podcast artwork by Jackie Zimmerman at Queen of GSD
Background Music is “Old Photos” by Olexy 

Support of this project is made possible through the generosity of Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

Linda Kanner was diagnosed with MS in 2007. She had an awareness of the disease through an Uncle, but her official diagnosis still took twenty years after first presenting symptoms to a medical professional. 
Shortly after this, Linda became a member of the board of The Accelerated Cure Project for MS. She also now serves on the iConquerMS Governing Board.
In this interview, Linda recounts her first symptoms and how, despite MS being the "definitive sickness" in her family, it still took her a while to recognize these symptoms for what they were. She also reminds patients that no one is more expert in their bodies than they are - so if you're going through your own diagnosis journey keep going until you get an answer.

Visit iConquerMS
Visit the Accelerated Cure Project

Interview by Laura Kolaczkowski
Edited by Steve Woodward at The Podcasting Editor
Podcast artwork by Jackie Zimmerman at Queen of GSD
Background Music is “Old Photos” by Olexy 
Support of this project is made possible through the generosity of Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.