Sherri Dmyterko: It takes a sheer iron will to train at this level. Brent Feldstead is getting ready to compete at the Canadian National Bodybuilding Championships.
Brent Feldstead: I think I will actually be weighting about 10 pounds heavier this year than I was competing at last year of link tissue. So I am certainly hoping is as always that I will be placing in the top three.
Sherri Damyterko: What makes Brent story unique is that he is competing at this level while leaving with multiple sclerosis.
Brent Feldstead: It's been extremely challenging to remain competitive when I have MS because every year I was having attacks that would leave me with lost strength in certain muscle groups, and a lot of muscle atropine are lost. And when you are competing into the best in Canada, that's real disadvantage.
The physical effects in my first MS attack were actually pretty scary, that it left me almost completely paralyzed my right leg. I had lost almost all the feeling in my torso and I was partially blind in my left eye.
Sherri Dmyterko: Despite of diagnosis of MS Brent says, 'He chose to fight back and follow his passion for bodybuilding.'
Brent Feldstead: My treatment has actually changed in the last two years. I have gone through a drug called Rebif and they have a new formulation on it. And basically, I have been exacerbating, pretty for almost three years now, which is quite a significant change over the last vacation since, because I was having an attack once or twice a year, every year.
So now with the two year win of opportunities had allowed me to put on lot more sizes than. And more importantly, is I can I actually use it right up to the day of the competition without fear of having any sort of injections side reactions, which is pretty important when you are up in stage.
Sherri Dmyterko: There is no cure for the progress debilitating disease of the central nervous system, but role models like Brent give hope to others leaving with MS.
Brent Feldstead: I would see the others diagnosed with MS not to give up. MS doesn't have to be an end. In fact, it can be a new beginning, and if you want to take control of your life, you want to make sure you are on the best medications, get your doctor, talk to them about it.
Sherri Dmyterko: Sherri Dmyterko reporting.
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