By Tiffany Browning, as told to Rachel Reiff Ellis
When I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), I was already familiar with life with an autoimmune disease. At 28, I learned I had rheumatoid arthritis (RA). My experience with RA involved many different symptoms that came and went. So, when I started feeling tingling in my hands and feet at 32, even when the right side of my face went numb, I wasn't shocked. I assumed it was another flare related to RA, or even another round of Bell's palsy, which I'd experienced multiple times.
I didn't rush to the doctor. I waited six weeks before asking about these new symptoms. I wasn't ignoring them, I just wasn't worried. When you live with chronic conditions, you get used to symptoms that'd concern someone who's otherwise healthy. But my doctor did see reason for concern and immediately referred me to a neurologist.
The neurologist told me it was very likely RRMS and ordered an MRI. He suspected I'd had RRMS for some time, and that my efforts to manage RA may have kept my symptoms on the back burner. A spinal tap confirmed an RRMS diagnosis. Suddenly, I was facing life with a second autoimmune condition.
Receiving an RRMS diagnosis was a much different experience than learning I had RA. With RA, I knew I was facing effects in my joints or mobility as I got older. RRMS felt scarier and more daunting, because it's a whole nervous system issue. Joints can hurt, and that can be uncomfortable. But RRMS could affect my walking, my eating, my talking. It was a lot to process.
Deciding the Path Forward
I connected with a great doctor at the Rocky Mountain MS Clinic in Utah, and we talked through my options. Because my MRI showed several active lesions, they recommended I start a monoclonal antibody right away, so that things wouldn't progress. Still, I took time to do my own research before starting anything. I think it's important to remember that as great as medicine is, you do have to make your own decisions.
I looked for information in places that explained RRMS in ways I could understand. I read firsthand stories, social media posts, and reputable sites that broke down research in simple terms. I try to be open-minded about both medical treatments and natural approaches. In the end, I started Ocrevus a couple of months after my diagnosis, and I'm glad I did because it's worked well for me.
Ocrevus is an infusion you get every six months. I can tell when the medication is wearing off because a few weeks before my next infusion, my hands and feet start to feel numb, and everyday tasks like opening jars require more effort. After the infusion, usually within a couple of weeks, those symptoms ease up again. For me, that's the sign that treatment is doing its job.
Lifestyle Choices That Make a Difference
RRMS doesn't have a cure, so my focus is on managing symptoms and keeping things stable. I follow an anti-inflammatory style of eating and try to keep my diet as clean as possible. I've had doctors in the past who didn't think food made a difference, but for me, it's been helpful. I still eat sugary treats and processed foods sometimes, but I try not to make them part of my daily routine because I can feel the difference in both my RA and RRMS symptoms when I do.
Movement has also become more intentional for me. With RA, staying limber helped me manage stiffness. With RRMS, I've realized how important muscle strength is, especially after noticing some atrophy. I don't do heavy lifting; I focus on regular, simple, strength-based movement and walking. You don't have to do a lot of hard exercising, but just even walking, getting fresh air, and being outside helps. Anything that helps maintain muscle is beneficial.
Living with RRMS has made me appreciate the everyday abilities we often take for granted. Feeling steady on my feet or being able to open something without help are small but meaningful indicators that I'm doing OK.
My Encouragement if You're Newly Diagnosed
Because I've dealt with RA for years, I have experience working with many different doctors – some excellent, some not a great fit. It makes a big difference to have a doctor who listens, wants to understand what you're experiencing, and doesn't treat you like just another file. When you're the one going home and living with the condition, feeling heard matters. Find a doctor you genuinely like and trust. You're allowed to switch if the fit isn't right. This is someone you'll likely see at least twice a year, so it should be someone you feel comfortable with.
I've also learned how important it is to stay organized. I keep a notes app with questions for appointments, I don't hesitate to take notes while we're talking, and I'll ask if it's OK to record parts of the visit. With autoimmune conditions, brain fog is common, and it's easy to forget the details once you get home. Being prepared helps me feel more in control of my care.
Remember that RRMS research is constantly evolving. A diagnosis isn't the end of the road. There are many tools available now, and more will come. It's important not to give up on yourself, even on the hard days. Focus on finding the things in your life that still bring you joy, and keep putting one foot in front of the other. You don't have to handle everything perfectly, but you can keep moving forward.
People often tell me they wouldn't know I had RRMS unless I mentioned it, and I think that's because I try not to let it define me. It's not a secret; it's just not the first thing I talk about. I stay busy with my family, and I try to stay active in ways that feel good.
There are difficult days, of course, but I try not to dwell on them. I remind myself that tomorrow might feel different. And most of the time, it does. For me, continuing to live my life, even with adjustments, has been the most important part of staying grounded with RRMS.
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SOURCE:
Tiffany Browning, Manila, Utah.
