Lifelong Struggle with Mysterious Illness Leads to Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis

In November 2025, Roxy Murray, now 37 years old, reflects on her lifelong struggle with a mysterious illness that was eventually diagnosed as multiple sclerosis (MS). It all began in her final year of college when, at just 18 years old, Roxy woke up blind in one eye and with double vision in the other. Terrified, she rushed to the hospital, where a scan revealed her brain was swelling. Doctors put her on a course of steroids and diagnosed her with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disorder.

However, Roxy's health issues persisted over the next 8 years, with multiple emergency visits due to fainting spells that could happen anywhere - at home, on the train, or even in the middle of the street. It was only when Roxy, now 26, found she couldn't raise her arm over her head at work that doctors began to explore the possibility of MS. After undergoing further tests, Roxy was officially diagnosed with the chronic neurological disease.

Now, having spent the past decade on medication to manage her MS, Roxy's condition has stabilized, and she no longer experiences the debilitating headaches and fainting spells that plagued her for years. However, the 8-year delay in her proper diagnosis has caused permanent changes to her mobility, and she now regularly uses a walking stick.