Elk Grove Village Resident Fights MS With Help Of Device

Health & Fitness

Elk Grove Village Resident Fights MS With Help Of Device The 54-year-old was diagnosed with the disease in 2018, but has not let the various challenges keep her down.

— Six years ago, Jill Karavas was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The Elk Grove Village resident was devastated at the news.

"To be honest, I thought it was a condition primarily affecting children because I didn't know much about it," Karavas, 54, recently told Patch. "I was overwhelmed and angry."

Karavas was an avid speed walker, who challenged herself daily with faster and longer walks. She enjoyed exercising around her neighborhood, but the new diagnosis made these healthy activities difficult.

Her first MS symptom was drop foot, a condition that makes it difficult to lift the front of the foot. One day, while out walking, Karavas fell twice and was unable to get up and walk home. Terrified, she was referred to a neurologist, who ultimately diagnosed her with MS.

"I was frustrated and felt that my busy life was too hectic for this disease to slow me down," Karavas said.

Karavas began taking Ocrevus, a disease-modifying drug used to treat MS, in 2019. She also began using a brace, which she said wasn't very good, but did help at the beginning. Not ready to stop walking, she used a cane and was accompanied by her daughter on walks.

"I could barely make it around the block, and as a result, I stopped walking, gained weight, and became depressed," Karavas said.

After her doctor insisted she lose weight in 2023, Karavas began swimming and using her stationary bike, resulting in a loss of 40 pounds.

Earlier this year, she met with Dr. Wayne Rubinstein at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and mentioned that her knee was hurting. Rubenstein referred her to Bone and Joint in Arlington Heights, where a therapist told her he couldn't help her, but recommended the Neuro Balance Center in Barrington.

Soon thereafter, she met Mark Fasick, a physical therapist whom Karavas describes as "amazing."

"He said he could help with my sore knee and also work on my drop foot," Karavas said. "Mark suggested trying electrotherapy, and I agreed. A few sessions in, he hooked me up to a device that delivered shocks. It felt a bit strange at first, but I was fine with it. Mark was impressed with how well I adapted."

After a few more sessions, she tried the Bioness L300 Go device , an electrical stimulating device recommended by Fasick that improves mobility.

"It didn't take long for me to notice a difference," Karavas said. "In fact, I was told to slow down during my trial with the device because I was walking so fast. A nearby patient even cried tears of joy upon seeing my instant progress."

Karavas said her insurance didn't cover the cost, and her insurance company denied the claim, so she had to start a GoFundMe page. The ensuing campaign raised enough money to pay for one device and part of the second. She received the L300 Go devices in May.

"I'm now walking most of the time without a cane and can go for long walks with a cane and navigate around the block," Karavas said. "It has brought more normalcy to my life. Of course, I still have bad days, but overall, it makes things a bit easier."

During a recent vacation, Karavas tells Patch she went for a walk by herself without her daughter. She said there is a long trail behind the cottage where her family stays, and she set a goal to reach the stop sign, which took her 30 minutes.

Karavas said her first walk lasted 15 minutes, but on her second attempt, she was able to "ramp up the intensity" on the device and covered the 30 minutes to the stop sign and back for a one-hour walk.

"I was proud and happy because I realized that increasing the intensity on the device really helps for longer walks," Karavas said.

Karavas admits living with MS has been a challenge, but she describes herself as a "fighter." She now swims three days a week, rides her bike three days and works full-time.

"I will not quit. I will fight this until the day I die," Karavas said. "Once you give up and give in, the disease wins. Don't give up and never give in. Keep moving forward. Find your exercise — whether it's yoga, biking, swimming, or whatever suits you — stick with it, and never quit!"