048: My Life With Multiple Sclerosis - W/ Dr. Leonard Ngarka & Fuen Beri

Living African

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), which can cause a disability. In MS , a person’s immune system attacks the protective nerve fiber covering and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body to stop. Though this disease has been around for a long time, it doesn’t seem to be as diagnosed or even acknowledged in our African community when compared to the common infectious diseases. Such diseases, though rare, are slowly plaquing our community and it is about time we talk about them. Today, our guests speak extensively on MS from living with it to the course of therapy. We hope this episode is as resourceful as it was for us.

Get to meet our guests:

Dr. Leonard Ngarka is a Neurologist who works at Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon. He is also a Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé, Cameroon. He will be further educating us on MS and Neuromyelitis Optica.

Contact: Email - [e-mail]

Fuen Beri is the second of four children who live in the United Kingdom (UK). She has been living in the UK since 2005, shortly after high school. She now works for a global consultancy based in the heart of London and her favorite quote is - "no two days are the same." She will be sharing with us her diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis(MS).

Contact: Email - [e-mail]

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

• Introducing our guests - Dr. Leonard Ngarka & Fuen Beri

[03:00 – 17:00] Understanding Multiple sclerosis (MS)

• The lack of data on multiple sclerosis in Africa
• Understanding the causes and symptoms of MS
• The under-reporting of multiple sclerosis in Africa
• The importance of early detection

[17:00 – 43:00] Fuen Ngwa Shares Her Story With MS

• Early symptoms of MS in childhood
• Getting misdiagnosed in Cameroon
• The lack of proper diagnosis in Africa
• Fuen shares her struggles with MS
• How she keeps her head up and motivated

[43:00 - 1:06:00] Risks Factors, Prevention & Stigmatization

• The genetic causing factors
• Preventive measures we can take
• How the lack of some important minerals can cause MS
• The cost of treating MS in Africa
• Stigmatization of people living with MS

[1:06:00 - 1::] Medications, Advice, Mindset & Motivation

• Dr. Ngarka educates us on some medication used in treating MS
• Fuen educates us on the mindset and motivation needed
• General advice with patients living with multiple sclerosis
• The importance of listening & knowing your body
• Government need to make drugs accessible and subsidize
• How to contact Dr. Leonard Ngarka & Fuen Beri

[55:00 – 1:00:004] Final Discussions

• Final words from Dr. Leonard Ngarka
• Final words from Fuen Beri
• Final words from Anyoh

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