Hear My Journey: Living with Multiple Sclerosis
With the right treatment and care team, many people with MS are living full, active lives.
By
Lana Pine
| Published on May 30, 2025
2 min read
In honor of World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day, The Educated Patient spoke with neurologist and MS expert Ellen Mowry, M.D., of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Nicole Boschi, director of regulatory affairs at the National MS Society and a newly diagnosed patient with MS. Their shared conversation offered valuable insights into what it’s like to live with and treat MS today, from early symptoms and diagnosis to treatment decisions and advocacy work.
Boschi began experiencing vision changes and double vision, which eventually led to an MRI revealing signs of MS. Her story highlights how MS symptoms can be vague or fluctuate over time, making diagnosis challenging. Mowry explains that MS can affect nearly any part of the brain or spinal cord, resulting in a wide range of symptoms like numbness, fatigue, vision loss and depression. Some signs may seem minor or come and go, and studies now show that many patients feel “off” for years before their first clear MS episode.
Mowry describes the diagnostic process as multifaceted, involving a detailed symptom history, neurologic exams, brain and spine MRIs, blood tests and, in some cases, spinal fluid analysis. Boschi shared how overwhelming this process felt — especially dealing with blood work and waiting for test results, which created anxiety.
When it comes to treatment, Mowry emphasizes setting clear expectations early. She also discussed how treatment plans should be personalized based on lifestyle, medical history and preferences. Boschi shares that while she’s afraid of needles, she chose an infusion treatment because it best matched her needs and priorities, including maintaining her ability to travel.
Both women highlight the critical role of support systems like the National MS Society. Boschi says it’s been empowering to join the advocacy community as both a professional and a person living with MS.
Mowry remains hopeful about the future of MS care. With many treatments now available, progress in research and growing advocacy efforts, patients today are living more fulfilling lives than ever before. As Boschi puts it, “There’s still no cure, but we’re going to get this done — together.”
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