Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We've created it to keep friends and family updated about Michelle's journey.
Michelle is doing much better these days and enjoying life with her husband, Jesse and their daughter!
Michelle was diagnosed with Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome (OMS), a rare neurological condition that affects 1 in 10 million people. It typically affects children, making Michelle's adult-onset even more rare. She first developed symptoms in 2010. It took 2 years to be officially diagnosed. She has been on a number of treatments since then to control her symptoms.
Michelle's symptoms of OMS at first were just dizziness. But then her balance started getting really bad and people would notice her eyes dancing around. Shortly after this her muscles started twitching, shaking and cramping. When her symptoms started she was in Chiropractic school, so studying was difficult- her vision was blurry and she was extremely fatigued and nauseous almost all the time.
Since then, it has been a long road. In 2014, Michelle was seen by Dr. Carrick at Carrick Brain Centers in Atlanta which really helped get her active life back. She continues to do IVIG and Rituxan treatments in addition to the brain exercises Dr. Carrick came up with.
Michelle was able to manage her infusions in a way that allowed her to have a baby. Some women with OMS experience relapses during pregnancy. Thankful Michelle did just fine, experienced minimal symptom flare up and they now have an almost 2 year old daughter!
