Living with multiple sclerosis: Nicky's journey

Being diagnosed with MS: Nicky's story

Nicky is a friendly and outgoing 46-year-old from Bournville in Birmingham. Her passions include horse riding and managing her successful dog-walking business. She's an animal lover, with a horse called Tom and her own dog Yosie.

After suffering a traumatic fall at home, Nicky was left unable to move her arm or leg. Her parents quickly called an ambulance to have her taken to the nearest hospital. Doctors initially suspected Nicky had had a stroke, but after several diagnostics tests (including a CT scan, MRI scan, and lumbar puncture), she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. With limited rehabilitation available in the hospital at the time, Nicky was transferred to our Circle Rehabilitation centre in Birmingham for intensive rehabilitation to support her recovery.

What is multiple sclerosis (MS)? 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects your brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. It causes many symptoms, including blurred vision, fatigue, numbness and tingling, and mobility problems. It is a lifelong condition with symptoms that range from mild to severe, many of which can be effectively managed through a variety of treatment options such as specialist fatigue management courses and medication. 

Arriving at Circle Rehabilitation in Birmingham

Circle Rehabilitation is the UK's largest specialist rehabilitation hospital, built on the site of the former BBC Pebble Mill studios in the heart of the city's renowned medical quarter. The multi-million-pound development includes significant investment in new technologies, including specialist rehabilitation equipment, virtual reality and virtual monitoring, real-time recovery measurements, and new apps and software to support people to return to their normal lives after an accident or long-term diagnosis. 

When Nicky first arrived at Circle Rehabilitation, her moral was low and her mobility was extremely limited by MS. She struggled to walk and her ability to complete everyday activities was severely affected.

During her stay with us, she received a personalised 12 week intensive rehabilitation programme to help her reach her goals in managing her newly diagnosed illness. This was coordinated by her consultant and delivered by our dedicated multidisciplinary team of nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and clinical psychologists.

Helping Nicky come to terms with her diagnosis

Receiving a diagnosis like multiple sclerosis can be difficult to deal with, especially if you have little understanding of what the diagnosis means and how it is going to affect you and those closest to you. Even if you have had the opportunity to speak with specialist clinicians, read useful information leaflets, and speak with others going through a similar situation, it can be a daunting time.

During her time with us, Nicky worked with our clinical psychologist Nicole to develop coping methods and techniques for accepting her diagnose, which was initially difficult. Nicola offered Nicky the time and space she needed to talk through her diagnosis and how she was feeling in a practical way, and to make sense of the information she had been given about the condition. This process ultimately helped Nicky accept that she could lead a happy life while managing MS, offering her a greater feeling of control over her situation.

Coping with the physical effects of MS

Nicky's shoulder and ankle were severely affected by MS, impacting her confidence when walking and moving in general. Kieran and Katie, two of our specialist neurological and MSK physiotherapists, worked with Nicky to design a personalised programme of therapy that helped her achieve her goals of re-gaining control over her mobility and confidence in her movement.

"On arrival at Circle Rehabilitation, Nicky received specialised neurological physiotherapy to support her with her new diagnosis of MS," explains Katie. "Her positive, hard-working approach to rehabilitation enabled her to progress to being able to walk and regain her independence during her time with us. As a team, we provided a timetabled, individualised programme of therapy to enable her to build her confidence, strength, and independence with daily activities. With the support of our multi-disciplinary team, she was able to begin horse riding again, which we were thrilled to facilitate with the physiotherapy team at Circle Rehabilitation."

With a focus on what was important for Nicky, her occupational therapy team helped her achieve her goals of being able to manage completing daily tasks independently, as well as walking and returning to horse riding. 

 "Through self-determination, and transferring her skills and knowledge gained from sessions, Nicky is now able to complete a variety of tasks independently, including washing and dressing, preparing hot drinks, and using adapted cutlery, which is easier to hold. Nicky has also regained strength, movement, and activity in her right hand, enabling her to complete a wide range of daily tasks."

Nicky’s journey to better health

Every Saturday of Nicky's 12-week stay with us, her parents and dog Yosie came to visit her. She said: "These regular visits were so important because they gave me something to look forward to. They were also a great opportunity to show my family how well I was progressing and gave them a massive emotional boost during a difficult time. Yosie missed me greatly, so we both got to enjoy some cuddles." 

Nicky now has a far better understanding of how to manage her illness and the importance of looking after herself. She knows her limitations and when her fatigue begins to take its toll. She is able to stand and walk short distances, which seemed impossible after her fall, and she has the confidence to live her life to the fullest

Through the multidisciplinary team all working together, I feel like I have been 'put back together' and am so much more in tune with my body. I listen carefully to what my body is telling me it needs. I appreciate how important resting and sleep is for my recovery, and that there is a need to pace myself or over-do it. Having a positive outlook and mentality has been essential in taking small, steady steps to reach my goals! Thank you to all the staff at Circle Rehabilitation who have supported me with my recovery."

Find out more about Circle Rehabilitation

When you choose to visit Circle Rehabilitation for specialist rehab, you can expect:

• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Support by the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about our services, book your initial consultation with a specialist today or call a member of our team directly.