05.20.15 – morning
Interview between Stuart Schlossman (Stu’s Views and MS News / MS Views and News) and CLAY WALKER, noted Country Music Star –
Stuart Schlossman: What
do you recall were your earliest symptoms of MS?
do you recall were your earliest symptoms of MS?
Clay Walker: Five
years before I was diagnosed I was working in construction and a box had fallen
on my head, I was knocked unconscious for about 10 seconds. When I came to it
felt as if I had a pinched nerve going down my right arm and right leg. Five
years later I had my first acute attack of MS develop with the exact same
symptoms as when I received the head injury, plus double vision. I thought that it was a re-occurrence of the injury from the
accident, but unfortunately it was MS.
years before I was diagnosed I was working in construction and a box had fallen
on my head, I was knocked unconscious for about 10 seconds. When I came to it
felt as if I had a pinched nerve going down my right arm and right leg. Five
years later I had my first acute attack of MS develop with the exact same
symptoms as when I received the head injury, plus double vision. I thought that it was a re-occurrence of the injury from the
accident, but unfortunately it was MS.
Stuart Schlossman:
What was the process that led to you being diagnosed? What were your symptoms?
What was the process that led to you being diagnosed? What were your symptoms?
Clay Walker: It
was pretty immediate. I wanted to find out what was wrong. There was tingling
down my arm and leg like an electric buzzer on me. I went in to see the doctor
immediately. I also had 8 weeks of facial spasm on the right side of my face. I
was concerned I had a tumor. Once we figured out it was MS they put me on
steroids to try to reduce swelling.
was pretty immediate. I wanted to find out what was wrong. There was tingling
down my arm and leg like an electric buzzer on me. I went in to see the doctor
immediately. I also had 8 weeks of facial spasm on the right side of my face. I
was concerned I had a tumor. Once we figured out it was MS they put me on
steroids to try to reduce swelling.
Stuart Schlossman:
I do not know if you are aware, but I am also an MS patient, and have experienced
buzzing and actually woke up today with buzzing all over my body! I was
diagnosed many years ago as well, but struggled for many years even as a child with MS
symptoms, but was not diagnosed until I was 39.
I do not know if you are aware, but I am also an MS patient, and have experienced
buzzing and actually woke up today with buzzing all over my body! I was
diagnosed many years ago as well, but struggled for many years even as a child with MS
symptoms, but was not diagnosed until I was 39.
Clay Walker: You
know, I have never been interviewed by someone who has MS, the one message that
I would like to get out, I have to say when I was diagnosed the prognosis the
doctor gave me was very grim. He said I would be in a wheelchair in 4 years and
dead in 8 (years). Obviously I have a different doctor now, (laughs) and about
three years ago I asked him about that original diagnosis. He said, “the truth
was if I was the one who viewed your MRI, I probably would not have given a
much different prognosis. But that we started you on the right meds- and that
you were a super responder to Copaxone.
know, I have never been interviewed by someone who has MS, the one message that
I would like to get out, I have to say when I was diagnosed the prognosis the
doctor gave me was very grim. He said I would be in a wheelchair in 4 years and
dead in 8 (years). Obviously I have a different doctor now, (laughs) and about
three years ago I asked him about that original diagnosis. He said, “the truth
was if I was the one who viewed your MRI, I probably would not have given a
much different prognosis. But that we started you on the right meds- and that
you were a super responder to Copaxone.
Stuart Schlossman:
When doing live performances and not feeling well, or having a bad day with
symptoms, how do you get through it?
When doing live performances and not feeling well, or having a bad day with
symptoms, how do you get through it?
Clay Walker:
That’s the beauty of it Stuart. I don’t feel like I have symptoms when I
preform. My doctor said it is because of all the endorphins and adrenaline.
When I am preforming I don’t feel like I have MS.
That’s the beauty of it Stuart. I don’t feel like I have symptoms when I
preform. My doctor said it is because of all the endorphins and adrenaline.
When I am preforming I don’t feel like I have MS.
Stuart Schlossman:
I have the same experience when I am doing my events. In addition to Copaxone,
are there any complimentary are alternative therapies techniques that you use?
I have the same experience when I am doing my events. In addition to Copaxone,
are there any complimentary are alternative therapies techniques that you use?
Clay Walker: I
went to see a neuro-physical therapist. Trying to see I f you could reverse
damage, she started a protocol to improve things, like stretches for spasticity
and it does really work! I also have a history of cancer in my family and there
is a drink, a smoothie that I drink 3-4x a week, it was created by someone
named Donnie Yance, out of Ashland, Oregon. It is for cancer prevention, but I
know that it has anti-inflammatory agents in it.
went to see a neuro-physical therapist. Trying to see I f you could reverse
damage, she started a protocol to improve things, like stretches for spasticity
and it does really work! I also have a history of cancer in my family and there
is a drink, a smoothie that I drink 3-4x a week, it was created by someone
named Donnie Yance, out of Ashland, Oregon. It is for cancer prevention, but I
know that it has anti-inflammatory agents in it.
I have been on Copaxone for 17 years, completely relapse
free for 17 years, which is incredible!
free for 17 years, which is incredible!
Stuart Schlossman:
Is there anything else that you would like to talk about?
Is there anything else that you would like to talk about?
Clay Walker:
Well, I have a new record- a brand new album coming out, so keep with
Well, I have a new record- a brand new album coming out, so keep with
Stuart Schlossman:
I want to spread the word that people can still be active with MS, that there
is still life after a diagnosis and that you do not have to become a couch potato.
I want to spread the word that people can still be active with MS, that there
is still life after a diagnosis and that you do not have to become a couch potato.
Clay Walker: No we
cannot do that! I am going to go work horses after this, that is what I do… “There is something about
the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” That’s a
quote from Winston S. Churchill.
Stuart Schlossman: Thank you Clay! This has truly been a pleasure. Keep up all that you do for the MS community.
I hope that
we can do more work like this today and reach many
more, living with MS together……
we can do more work like this today and reach many
more, living with MS together……
Clay Walker:
That really sounds great, looking forward to it, thanks Stuart.
That really sounds great, looking forward to it, thanks Stuart.
Disclaimer: This interview was held, not to endorse a product, but rather to provide MS Awareness
interview written by Jennifer F.
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