Episode 64 Interview with Katie (MS & FIBRO WARRIOR)

Katie is an MS and Fibromyalgia warrior originally from the UK and now calls France home. Katie's journey started in 2015 when she began to have numbness in her hands and feet along with migraines and chest infections. She went to doctors to try to get it figured out and she was diagnosed with carpel tunnel and had a surgery to correct the issue but it gave her no relief. Katie then explains how she was also diagnosed with endometriosis and went through a full hysterectomy in 2019. While recovering from the procedure Katie lost the use of her legs while out in her garden and she knew that there was something serious going on with her health. Katie immediately went to see her doctor and after an MRI and spinal tap Katie was diagnosed with MS in 2019. Katie and I talk about how she had some knowledge about the disease but found herself scared and worried about what was going on with her body. We have a great conversation about our mental health after our diagnosis and how we use our family as our motivation to fight this disease. We also talk about how Katie was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia two years after her MS diagnosis that is linked to the Covid 19 vaccine and how she manages her dual diagnosis. Katie and I talk about our mission of spreading awareness about living with a chronic disease. We talk about family and the importance of our family learning about the disease with us and supporting us on our journey. Katie explains her DMT journey and how her body did not do well on many of the medications and how she had to make the decision to stop and then having to start back up after new lesions were found. Katie talks about the importance of community and how she started sharing her journey on TikTok and Instagram and how she uses that for her mental health. We also talk about the amazing people we have met on social media like the SWAB in the UK and how he is such an inspiration to all of us all over the world. SWAB lost his voice because of MS and we are his voice to spread awareness. Follow Katie on TikTok and Instagram @Katie MS + Fibro Journey. Thank you so much Katie for sharing your story with me to help people understand what it's like living with MS and Fibro! You are incredible and I'm privileged to call you a friend! Follow me on TikTok @msmichiganman64 Instagram @msmichiganman64 Facebook @brian Wallace Brunswick Ohio