Andy Reynard ✍️😄🩼

Balls to MS: 20 Years of Discovering Your Body Hates You is now available from all major online book retailers, including Waterstones and Amazon. “Moving”, “hilarious” and “brutally honest” say readers in the Amazon reviews... which is good because that’s what I was aiming for.

@robertow83 @cymroglyn Great info, thanks. How much control have you over spasms at the moment?

@andy_reynard nobody can reply;) I usually take 2 sprays in the morning and 6 at bedtime. 7 if I’m really spasmy. More than 7 means I’m stoned when I wake. More than 2 in the am leaves me a bit groggy too.

@cymroglyn Ah right. That makes sense.

@andy_reynard I've no idea if I'm honest, but my hands can't hold the spray anymore so I have to get my carers to do it for me so I don't have enough time for that. I think it might just be when you start, to help you gauge what the right amount is

@cymroglyn Thanks. Really helpful info.🙂

Anyone out there on Sativex with any tips on how they've got the best out of it? What times/how often are you taking it? #MS #Sativex #BallsToMS

@robertow83 @cymroglyn Tastes like... cannabis (I imagine 😂).

Gave my Sativex prescription to the pharmacist like I was handing a golden ticket to Willy Wonka. Pls come back in 20 mins. Duly did. Sorry, have to order this in. It'll be around 2 days. Arrrghhh! So close! Oh well, what's 2 days when you've been waiting 2 years. #MS #BallsToMS

@cymroglyn Yes, I was told that too. This was the first ever batch though. Hopefully, it'll work better from here (and it only took 24 hours in the end).

@andy_reynard My consultant said that when I Open the second one from the box that's went to phone up the repeat prescription. Works every time.

@rollingmktv Just taken my first ever dose! Looking forward to the 'totally helps'.

@NicLiv74 Thanks. If it works like I'm hoping, it could taste like shit with sugar on for all I care. 😁

Feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. After over 2 yrs of pleading with the NHS, I'm picking up my first batch of Sativex today to help control my clonus (MS spasms). Hopefully. Half expecting there to be a last minute hitch, leading to tears as Christmas is cancelled. #MS #BallsToMS

@ColtSea59079544 @robertow83 No. Not on gabapentin, but on Baclofen and Pregabalin. Told to keep going with those for now and see how things go.

@robertow83 @andy_reynard That’s really good to hear. Have you used it to replace gabapentin and baclofen? Asking for…me! 😀

@ReneaLynnMN Hopefully I'll be waiting it out in bed getting 8 hrs of uninterrupted sleep for the first time in years.😬

@andy_reynard I'm just buying hemp derived THC low dose gummies. Its just this year legal in MN So actual THC isn't even available for purchase yet. The low dose though is plenty for me because I'm super sensitive to it. Go in slow because wow once it hits ya got to wait it out for hours!

@griffax09 Actually the physio assigned to me for the spasms. But you're right. It's being pushed through on some kind of special expedition measure. My neuro says she has a few people on it though.

@robertow83 Cheers. Just hope I haven't put too much hope on its shoulders.

@griffax09 Familiar. Must be the longest conversation ever in the history of communication.

@shiftms I've just the one who was 2 when I was diagnosed (20 now). impact of MS on my capabilities has almost mirrored his development, with us heading in opposite directions. I just kept enough energy long enough to be active with him while growing up. Small mercies.

Ive gone from running 21km a week to needing a wheelchair for days out. Making sure my kids still have the memories and experiences they would have had and made before my diagnosis. My kids are 21, 15, 11 and 8 so each has had my diagnosis explained differently

@shiftms Right. I understand it better now. The snow analogy is a good one. I used to hate that feeling as a kid. Must be horrible.

@andy_reynard I've neuropathic pain in my back and legs. This can be excruciating. It can feel like a burning sensation or like if I've been playing in the snow with no gloves on. Then there is the "normal" pain that can be treated with strong pain killers and anti-inflammatories. ..

I'm in bed by 10pm every night. 1 day in the office has me worn out. I live in pain 24/7. I've tingling/pins and needles in my lower legs. My memory is shocking 😲.

@mrjamesob Everyone laughing at poor old Liz but name me one person who's ever managed to open up new pork markets in just 14 years? Bet you can't.

Sorrywhatpardon?