David Price, a 42-year-old IT director from Aigburth, initially questioned his GP's sanity when advised to get up an hour earlier to go to the gym after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Now, he is preparing to attempt a Guinness World Record at the Manchester Half Marathon this weekend.
Diagnosis and initial reaction
David, originally from Walton, was diagnosed with MS in December 2018 after experiencing a series of concerning symptoms. He recalled bumping into desks at work, experiencing vision problems, and falling off a kerb while walking to the shops because he hadn't noticed it was there.
He also suffered from fatigue and pins and needles in his feet, legs, and arms. The symptoms came and went, so he initially dismissed the possibility of anything seriously wrong and delayed seeking medical attention.
The moment of diagnosis
Eventually, David attended the Royal Hospital, where he underwent tests including an MRI, CT scan, lumbar puncture, and blood tests. During a consultation, his mind was focused on one terrifying possibility.
He said: "I remember sitting in the consultation room and the doctor was talking for what felt like 20 minutes. I eventually had to stop him and say, 'Can I just ask, have I got a brain tumour or not?' He looked at me and said, 'You haven't got a brain tumour.' We just broke down crying with relief. Then he carried on talking and said, 'But you have got multiple sclerosis.'"
Neither David nor his wife, Anna, knew much about MS at the time. It took David around three years to fully come to terms with his diagnosis.
Lifestyle change and world record attempt
David's medication, including infusions every six months, has helped keep his relapses at bay. However, a lifestyle change proved transformative. At the time, he was juggling two young children, a full-time job, and his role as a director of a local engineering firm. He was exhausted and had gained weight.
He told the ECHO: "I'd come home after a busy day and have very little energy left for my wife and kids. I got to the stage where something had to give. The way I was living was getting me down, and that was having an impact on the whole family. Then came advice from my GP about lifting weights in the morning. I remember asking, 'Are you mad? You want me to get up an hour earlier to go to the gym, and somehow that's going to give me more energy?'"
David decided to give it a go and signed up for a six-week course at a local gym. Within weeks, he noticed a difference. This weekend, he aims to complete the half-marathon in the fastest time by a male living with MS, setting a Guinness World Record.
He said: "I know it's going to be a big ask on Sunday. I'm going to be putting my body through a lot, and I know it's going to take a lot out of me. But that's part of the challenge. I have to manage my body on a daily basis. Ideally, you wake up in the morning and your body feels like it's at 100%. You go through the day, manage your energy and maybe you go to bed at five per cent. You have to be big enough to accept that some days you just can't do everything that you planned."
