Judy Moss'' life turned upside down 11 years ago. Once an active, vibrant young woman, Moss battled exhaustion, balance and mobility problems.
Her primary care physician in DuQuoin, Ill., suspecting multiple sclerosis, referred her to a neurologist for a diagnosis and specialized care. The neurologist confirmed the diagnosis, but didn''t offer Moss much in the way of treatment.
Moss literally refused to take the diagnosis sitting down and moved to her brother''s home in St. Louis, where she knew she''d have access to current medical research and cutting-edge treatments."Everyone told me to go to Barnes-Jewish," Moss says. "There wasn''t any other choice because it had the best reputation around."
Just walking from the parking garage across the street to the hospital exhausted her, but Moss'' first visit with Washington University neurologist Anne Cross, MD, put her on the fast track to getting the help she needed.
"Two days after my first intravenous steroid treatment, I felt amazing," Moss says. "Even though I never played tennis, I felt like I could have played at the tennis courts across the street from the hospital."
In the 10 years since, Moss has participated in several medication studies, helping both herself and other MS patients find effective treatments. She has nothing but hope for the future.
"I have talked with a lot of MS patients," Moss says, "and most have never seen an MS specialist. Based on the difference I see in my treatment and condition since I''ve seen Dr. Cross, I truly believe I''m better off."