‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Star Emma Caulfield Ford, 51, Described Her Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms as a ‘Million Ants Crawling’ on the Side of Her Face

Coping With Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Amid Private Battle

• “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” actress Emma Caulfield Ford, 51, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2010 after experiencing tingling in her face that she equated to “a million ants crawling.” She kept her diagnosis private until 2022 out of fear it would cause TV and movie executives not to hire her.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that impacts the central nervous system, causing numbness or tingling in the limbs. Although there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, several treatment options help manage symptoms.
• Standard tools MS patients use to improve their quality of life include wheelchairs, canes, leg braces, and some medical treatments called disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), which can slow the progression of the disease, according to some studies.
• Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between are valid.
• The Rehabilitation Act may protect cancer patients who choose to work but need accommodations on the job, as may the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Actress Emma Caulfield Ford, 51, known for her role in the ‘90s drama “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” has lived with multiple sclerosis for years, although you may not know it. She chose to keep her diagnosis of the chronic condition that causes numbness and tingling in the limbs private until just a couple of years ago out of fear it would cause her acting opportunities.

Ford’s multiple sclerosis symptoms reached a fever pitch in 2010 when she recalled one morning feeling like “a million ants crawling” on her face, according to an interview with Vanity Fair. Her diagnosis came about after seeing an acupuncturist who suggested she get an MRI, which confirmed multiple sclerosis. She says her symptoms are mild today, noting she typically experiences infrequent sensitivity to heat and stress. “I’m very, very fortunate. But I’m also aware that with MS, this could all change tomorrow. I’m stable, and I’ve made it a huge priority to do things so I stay that way,” Ford told People Magazine earlier this Spring. [EMBED] Ford went public with her condition 12 years after she was diagnosed out of fear she would not be hired for acting roles if TV and Hollywood executives knew she lived with multiple sclerosis. “There are already plenty of reasons to not hire people,” Ford explained. “I knew in my bones that if you talk about this [multiple sclerosis], you’re just going to stop working,” she added. “My parents knew. Obviously, my husband knew. I kept it very quiet,” Ford said . Christina Applegate and Selma Blair also live with multiple sclerosis. Both actresses have explained the impact the diagnosis has had on their lives personally and professionally, including reduced acting roles over the years.

Helping Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Resources

• ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ Is Inspiration for Anybody With Multiple Sclerosis
• Multiple Sclerosis and Diet: Can the Paleo Diet Manage MS?
• Living With Multiple Sclerosis, Christina Applegate, 51, Missed Event to Focus on Getting ‘Stronger’ Former Co-Star David Faustino Shows ‘Love & Support’

Sharing Your Diagnosis Is a Personal Decision

Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close loved ones. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between, are valid. WATCH: Sharing a Diagnosis “Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explains . Questions like “How much information should they share and with whom should they share the information?” are things Plutchik says patients take into consideration. Dr. Plutchik explains, “There is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.” A cancer journey can last months to years, which means cancer warriors may be experiencing a lot of uncertainty until they fully understand where their health stands. This uncertainty can influence when a cancer patient is ready to share their diagnosis, Dr. Plutchik further explained. Dr. Plutchik stresses that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis and seeking support.

Living With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis causes the immune system to attack cells that form the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers in the spinal cord. The disruption leads to communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. Once the protective barrier is damaged, the spinal cord struggles to send messages to the body’s arms, legs, and other parts to function normally. WATCH: SurvivorNetTV Presents: Defying All Odds – A World-Renowned Doctor’s Incredible Journey Through MS There is no cure for M.S., but M.S. warriors battling the disease do have methods to manage their symptoms. Standard tools M.S. patients use to improve their quality of life include wheelchairs, canes, leg braces, and some medical treatments called disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Applegate has most notably adopted using a cane to help her with balance issues. A study in American Family Physician found that DMTs “has been shown to slow disease progression and disability; options include injectable agents, infusions, and oral medications targeting different sites in the inflammatory pathway.” Research published in Frontiers in Neurology last year says autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) (also called bone marrow transplantation, with autologous meaning a patient’s own cells) used for multiple sclerosis therapy helps “reset the immune system.” Several studies and clinical trials using AHSCT have shown promise. “In a meta-analysis of published studies using AHSCT for M.S. treatment, the pooled estimated transplant-related mortality was 2.1%, two-year disease progression rate was 17.1%, five-year progression rate of 23.3%, and a pooled 83% of patients with no evidence of disease activity at two years. Patients who had the most benefit and least mortality rate were patients with relapsing-remitting M.S. (RRMS).” Additional research published by NEJM Journal Watch says that AHSCT helps MS patients reduce relapse better than other forms of MS treatment. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society explains the different types of multiple sclerosis:

• Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is when an individual experiences a single neurological episode lasting 24 hours or less. CIS is what M.S. is diagnosed as until there is a second episode.
• Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS): The most common M.S. among the million people battling the disease in the U.S., RRMS is marked by sudden flare-ups, new symptoms, or worsening of symptoms and cognitive function. The condition will then go into remission for some time before reemerging with no known warning signs.
• Primary progressive M.S. (PPMS): These individuals have no flare-ups or remission, just a steady decline with progressively worse symptoms and an increasing loss of cognitive and body functions.
• Secondary progressive M.S. (SPMS): This is an almost transitional form of M.S. that progresses from RRMS to PPMS.

What Are Your Rights as a Cancer Patient Wishing to Work?

People facing cancer or a health condition may wonder how treatment could affect their job. It’s important to know that some accommodations can make working through cancer a little easier. The Rehabilitation Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act protects some people with job problems related to cancer. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may also benefit others. This law allows many people with serious illnesses to take unpaid leave to get medical care or manage their symptoms. Your human resources department should be able to share with you your options. WATCH: Can my cancer get me fired? In some situations, employers must accommodate a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the employer can show it would be an undue hardship to do so. This could mean making changes to work schedules, equipment, or policies. On the other hand, employees are not expected to provide accommodations that cause “undue hardships” or “significant difficulty or expense,” according to the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission . Find out more about job accommodations and employment of people with limitations from the Job Accommodation Network . Your human resources department should also be able to share with you your options. Laurie Ostacher, a behavioral health clinician, recommends patients talk with their employer about accommodations they may need upon returning to work.

Questions for Your Doctor

If you are diagnosed with MS or may be concerned you have the chronic disease due to symptoms you’re experiencing, consider asking your doctor the following questions.

• Although there’s no cure for MS, which treatment option to manage my symptoms do you recommend for me?
• Are there any potential side effects of MS treatment?
• What if the treatment to manage symptoms doesn’t work?
• Will exercise or therapy help my symptoms?
• Are there any MS support groups you recommend to help me cope?