Eloisa’s rehabilitation journey: An MS rehabilitation example

Among people living with MS, each rehabilitation experience is unique. Read this example below to learn more about life with MS the effect of symptoms on daily activities and the ways which rehabilitation specialists can help them live their best lives.  

The example on this page is from ‘What to Expect From Rehabilitation Care: A Guide for People With MS’, published by the National MS Society in the US. Download the resource for more examples of MS rehabilitation journeys.  

Eloisa’s rehabilitation journey

Eloisa is a nurse in a local hospital. She was diagnosed with MS two months ago. After a long workday, she struggles to walk to her car, her legs feel weak and her foot drags. Her vision gets blurry, so sometimes she must sit in the car with the air conditioning on for a few minutes. Eloisa often feels self-conscious because when she has to urinate, she must quickly find a bathroom. She has stopped going to the gym and dating due to this. She feels overly tired and foggy sometimes. She is concerned about making a mistake at work and that people will find out that she is “sick.”  

How can rehab professionals help Eloisa?  

A physical therapist can:

• Help her develop a home exercise program (stretching, strengthening,
  aerobic conditioning and balance) and transition to a community-based one
• Explore options to address walking issues and recommend exercises and/or
  external supports such as a brace
• Teach her energy-management techniques and exercises to prevent deconditioning
• Offer education on heat sensitivity and assist with obtaining cooling products
• Assist with bladder management and retraining, and sexual health and wellness, if specialized in pelvic health

An occupational therapist can:

• Assess vision and develop appropriate exercises or strategies to minimize impact on daily activities including  work
• Teach her energy-management techniques and assist in developing strategies for work/home life balance
• Assess and develop strategies to manage thinking skills issues
• Recommend modifications at home and work to optimize posture and vision, and minimize fatigue

A speech-language pathologist can:

• Assess and develop strategies for managing cognitive issues, especially memory, attention and executive function, so she can remain successful at work and home
• Recommend modifications for managing fatigue at work

A mental health professional can:

• Offer strategies for managing uncertainty about the future
• Identify strategies for managing fear of bladder accidents or visible symptoms to maintain activities and relationships
• Discuss the benefits and potential consequences of disclosure at the workplace
• Write a letter to support workplace accommodation requests

A physiatrist can:

• Assess bladder function and help determine why her bladder isn’t working
• Check for a bladder infection, examine retention and prescribe medications
• Rule out other reasons for fatigue like thyroid problems or anaemia
• Discuss medications to improve her ability to walk
• Coordinate referrals to other providers for memory testing, vocational rehab and bracing

All of Eloisa’s rehab team members can:  

• Help Eloisa achieve success at work and home 
• Promote her mobility  
• Help her engage in all of her desired activities  

Key points:

• Build your rehab team early! Getting early assistance can prevent some issues and improve your quality of life
• Managing your MS symptoms is a key component of rehab 
• Tell your rehab team what is important to you. They are there to meet your needs

Information on this page has been adapted from ‘What to Expect From Rehabilitation Care: A Guide for People With MS‘, published by the National MS Society in the US.  Thank you to the National MS Society for their permission to adapt this content for the website.