Hi, I’m Eric. In the spring of 2016 I got the shock of my life. I had an MRI for a pinched nerve in my neck, and near the end of the report the radiologist noted demyelination of my nerves consistent with multiple sclerosis.

I read it again. What the …?

Since then, living with MS has been a slow, gradual process. I’ve never had the sudden, dramatic onset of symptoms you sometimes hear about. Instead, it’s been the steady accumulation of issues over time — like a little extra weight added each day: fatigue, muscle spasticity, balance problems, neuropathy, stiffness, and the mental fog that makes focused work harder some days.

As a husband and father, my goal isn’t perfection. It’s showing up as steadily as I can for my family. This article lists the medications and supplements I’m using right now, along with how they actually work for me.

💡
Everything here is my personal experience only. MS affects everyone differently. Always consult your neurologist before starting, stopping, or changing anything.

My Current Regimen

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)
This is an infusion therapy given twice a year. It’s a disease-modifying treatment (DMT) that targets B cells — a type of white blood cell involved in the immune attack on the nervous system — with the goal of reducing relapses and slowing progression.

I’ve been on it since 2017. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you if it’s working because I’ve never had the relapsing-remitting pattern common in RRMS (my diagnosis). Since it’s meant to prevent relapses I’ve never experienced, I have no real way to judge its effectiveness. What I can say is that while on it, my symptoms have continued to slowly worsen.

Modern infusion chair with two bags of medication hanging from an IV pole in a calm medical suite, representing Ocrevus treatment for MS
Typical infusion setup

Baclofen
A muscle relaxant prescribed to reduce spasticity and stiffness in MS.

It does help ease the muscle tightness, especially on longer or more active days. I can definitely tell when I miss a dose. However, it also causes drowsiness, which stacks on top of my regular MS fatigue. Because of that, I take a lower dose than prescribed.

Man with MS walking in his living room, right leg stiff and not fully extended mid-step, looking down at his feet
Me - trying to walk after stiffness sets in

Multivitamin
A daily broad-spectrum multivitamin to help fill nutritional gaps.

I take it every day as part of my core routine. With family life and MS symptoms, it gives me some reassurance that I’m covering the basics.

Vitamin D3 (5,000 IU daily)
Vitamin D3 is widely studied in MS for its role in immune modulation, bone health, and fatigue. Many of us are deficient. Because Ocrevus lowers parts of my immune response, I take 5,000 IU daily. It’s part of the routine that helps me maintain steadier energy.

Grass Fed Organ Complex (Paleovalley)
This is a supplement made from beef organ meats (liver, heart, and kidneys) in capsule form. I started taking it after learning about Dr. Terry Wahls, a physician and research scientist who had severe progressive MS that left her in a reclined wheelchair. She credits a comprehensive protocol — centered on a nutrient-dense diet rich in vegetables and organ meats, along with exercise, electrical stimulation, and other lifestyle changes — with helping her regain the ability to walk, bike, and live a much more active life.

Her story inspired me to try this supplement as one way to get more bioavailable nutrients. I’ve been taking it daily for about 10 months now. The jury is still out on how much it’s helping me, but I’m keeping an open mind and paying attention to how I feel.

Paleovalley Grass Fed Organ Complex supplement bottle with capsules on a kitchen counter, surrounded by fresh vegetables
Paleovalley Grass Fed Organ Complex supplement

Ibuprofen (OTC, 600 mg as needed)
A common anti-inflammatory used for various types of pain, including neuropathic discomfort.

This is still my go-to as-needed option when pain flares, especially in my feet. It’s been reliable over the years.

Aspercreme with Lidocaine (topical, as needed)
A lidocaine-based cream for localized pain relief.

I use this most nights when the burning or tingling in my feet acts up. It’s a simple, non-systemic way to get some relief before bed. It helps mildly.

Reflections on Managing MS Day to Day

This combination isn’t about chasing a cure — it’s about lightening the daily load so I can be more present with my wife and sons. Some days the fatigue and brain fog make even simple tasks feel heavy. Other days the spasticity or foot pain takes center stage. The slow progression of MS means I’ve had to learn to adapt gradually and focus on what actually helps long-term.

I’ve tried other medications in the past (gabapentin and Lyrica) that either didn’t help enough or came with side effects that felt worse than the symptoms they were supposed to treat. Those experiences taught me to be more selective.

Looking Ahead

I plan to write deeper pieces on individual parts of this stack — how the symptoms actually feel, what I’ve learned, and practical tips that fit around family life.

If you’re living with MS or supporting someone who is, I’d love to hear what’s worked (or hasn’t) for you in the comments.

This is an ongoing process. MS keeps teaching me patience, and writing about it here is one way I process and connect.

Note: Images in this article were created with AI to help illustrate my experience.