ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., has revealed he has multiple sclerosis, which affects his lower right leg.
The two-term senator said the diagnosis of the progressive disease of the central nervous system will not affect his plans to seek a third term. He is running against former St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman.
"I have a strong mind, a strong body, a strong heart and a strong soul," he told a news conference outside his home on Sunday. "I just have a little bit of trouble with this right leg. All the work on all the issues goes on. I have MS and I'm doing fine."
Dr. J.D. Bartleson of the Mayor Clinic said Wellstone, 57, has primary progressive MS, the least common form of the disease, characterized by slow progression. It is not among the forms of the disease that attack the brain but there is no known treatment or cure. Bartleson said Wellstone is "only mildly impaired."
"I see no reason that Senator Wellstone can't maintain his usual activities," the doctor said.
Bartleson said he thinks Wellstone developed the disease about 15 years ago. The senator, a former amateur wrestler who ran marathons, had been blaming the problem with his right leg on an old athletic injury.
"Now I know it's something else and I want to be straightforward with the people of Minnesota," he said.
The diagnosis is not Wellstone's only health problem. Wellstone also is plagued by back and disc problems as well as sciatica. In 1998 he underwent cervical spinal cord surgery to ease leg pain.
Wellstone said he does not believe the stress of the campaign will affect his condition.
"The stress of the campaign is what I want to do," he said. "And the stress of being a U.S. senator is what I want to do."
About 330,000 Americans suffer from one of the four forms of multiple sclerosis, which can lead to serious debilitation caused by damage to nerves and the spinal cord. Bartleson said only 15 percent to 20 percent suffer from the form Wellstone has.
