EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Medical History: Mrs X, a 28 year -old Caucasian female, was diagnosed with MS 7 years ago. At that time she had problems with ataxia and diplopia. She has had one or two exacerbation of MS per year since that time. An increase in disease stability was noted after she started recombinant interferon 5 years ago. She stopped the interferon therapy briefly during a pregnancy 4 years ago, and after the pregnancy she had three exacerbations during the following year despite being back on Betaseron. With each exacerbation, her symptoms of ataxia, vertigo, and diplopia worsened. These symptoms involve primarily the left side of her body. These extremities also cramp on occasion. After all, she functions reasonably well, taking care of her children at home. She later quit working within a year after her diagnosis because of problems with ataxia and fatigue. An MRI of her brain demonstrated multiple white matter lesions consistent with MS. A spinal fluid examinatio