I received a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2006. At that time I knew nothing about MS and thought I was going to die very soon as I imagined the disease was terminal. My children were in 1st and 2nd grade. I would lie in bed with them at night thinking that I wouldn’t live to see their high school graduation. Forget about seeing them get married and have children of their own.
Thankfully, my husband quickly let me know that the majority of people with MS do not die a premature death. Still, the diagnosis was absolutely shocking. All I could picture was the worst, that in a short amount of time I would be an invalid. I was not happy about that picture.
Now, I’m doing better. Here are the steps I took when I received an MS diagnosis. Most of these are free, and will cost you nothing financially.
Getting Started When Diagnosed with MS
1. Sleep
Sleep is a priority for healing any health issue and especially for severe neurological conditions. I get 8 hours of sleep per night minimum, and more on weekends. Sleep is free. If you have trouble sleeping see my Natural Sleep Remedies or post for information on supplements that support getting a better night of sleep. My Five Ways to Get a Better Night’s Sleep may also be of interest.
2. Diet
I follow a diet that is 100% gluten and grain free, without exception, and find this very helpful. Studies show that gluten can be detrimental to those suffering from leaky gut, and that leaky gut may lead to and exacerbate autoimmune illnesses, so removing gluten from your diet may be an effective strategy for dealing with multiple sclerosis.1
Don’t worry if you need recipes, I’ve got you covered! See my gluten-free recipes, and grain-free recipes. By the way, every recipe here on my website is both gluten and grain-free. You may also want to check out my keto diet recipes, as low-carb high-fat diets, or LCHF diets, have been shown to reduce inflammation.2
3. Exercise
Staying fit is an important part of maintaining, or regaining health. Exercise is another treatment for MS that is free. I walk 60 minutes every day, rain or shine. See my post about walking to find out how I built up my stamina to get to that 60 minute mark. Walking lifts my spirits and gives me a nice boost of endorphins.
4. Healing Movement
I do yoga, pilates, or weight lifting 3 times per week, and have found that stretching and resistance training has helped me to maintain strength, coordination, and balance. If you need inspiration, there are numerous videos available online for free, or, like me, you can make up your own routine.
5. Boundaries
Another part of my healing (also free) is to keep interactions as brief as possible with people, places and things that do not impact me in a positive manner. This can be challenging, yet it has the biggest payoff. MS is a disease of the nervous system, so reducing stress is critical in healing.
I designed this MS healing plan myself and chose action items that I felt would give me a very high ROI (return on investment). However, many of the above commitments were radical shifts to my life paradigm, I did not always embrace this change, nor was it easy for me.
As I learned through this process, rebuilding one’s health is one of the greatest challenges life presents. If you make such a choice, be forewarned that it could be very unpleasant and that you may find yourself resisting the very change you seek. This is because rebuilding health means interrupting old habits and patterns. You may not want to make the necessary commitments to, and sacrifices for, your health. For example, you might have to give up watching TV everyday in order to walk for an hour. Or, people might be angry with you for protecting your time and setting limits that serve you, not them. These types of challenges await you, along with healing.
Finally, to create the above treatment plan for my MS, I had to slow down enough to listen to myself, to my body, and my emotions. I had to figure out what I really wanted, what really served me. Even though the process was unpleasant at times, I reconnected with myself and got to know myself better which became a blessing. Am I done? Not even close. The point of my healing plan is not the plan itself, it is undertaking the process of healing, which for me is the process of listening. This is something I practice every day.
For additional resources on how to deal with an MS diagnosis see:
Kate says
Dear Elana et al,
I was diagnosed with MS in October 2010 at 29 after a terrible, debilitating flare. I was in a wheelchair for a while, almost blind in one eye, mouth droop from brain damage, constant neurological pain the likes of which I do not care to even remember but can’t forget, and almost died a couple of times at the beginning of this year due to secondary infections.
HOWEVER, I came back because of a NATURAL approach. I am only finding your site now and only just heard about Terry Wahls, but through the research I was able to do, I came up with a plan very similar to yours and I credit my health now to the same approach.
I don’t take any of the MS immune system killers and I don’t take any symptom medications now (I was on opiates, max dosage of gabapentin (neurontin), SSRIs for pain, and klonopin for muscle spasming/contractions).
One thing I will add that has been INVALUABLE for me, has been BOOSTING my immune system. I know it sounds “against the grain,” but our immune system was designed to help us, and it isn’t all bad.
Furthermore, there was recently a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showing that almost half of us with MS produce an antibody that no one else does. So, I started taking IVIg (Immunoglobulin via IV) every 21 days (you can read about it if you google New England Journal of Medicine, MS and KIR4.1). MIRACULOUS change. I started walking, dancing, and living a “normal” life again. No one would even know I have MS to look at me or talk to me.
IVIg is completely natural – it is made from the blood of healthy people, giving you the effective immunity of 10,000 people. For those of us with MS, even a head cold can be scary because you don’t know if it will lead to an exacerbation. Now, I don’t catch anything and I have started cooking for myself…enough that I was looking for new recipes and found your blog :0)
As I said before, I completely agree with all of your own health protocols, for they are so similar to mine. I would add a few more things that I feel are in line with your approach, and have been essential for me:
1. Adequate intake of essential fatty acids, even if I have to take them in a supplement, although I try to do so through my diet. (Helps to repair myelin).
2. Vitamin D3 – 10,000-15,000 IU per day. I know it sounds like a lot, but my levels test perfectly normal and I have spoken to other people with MS who are equally deficient. I also amke sure to ALWAYS take it with food, because you need EFAs to absorb D3.
3. Music. Something about singing, playing piano, or even listening to good music is so incredibly healing to me.
Good luck to all and thank you for sharing your own story. It is comforting to hear from others who have gone through a similar process. I will check back frequently. I believe 100% in a natural cure!
Joel Taylor says
Beautifully written, I can’t wait to read more throught the site. I was labeled with MS in Jan 12, from the medical field all I’ve heard is “sorries” and ” this is unfortunate”. For me, I’m like others here, it has opened up so many doors that I never challenged. Like, life, the sun, real food, it’s a curse but also a blessing. I’m Paleo sense June. Now a days I enjoy my veggies, my oils, my bone broth and lots of fish, but thats me. I’m writing to say thank you. I got sent Terry Wahls video in January but sense her and then I haven’t been able to find another person untill now. I am so glad to see this site, I was starting to think Terry Wahls was the only one who had good results from changing her lifestyle. I’m sorry it took ms to make me look at life differently, but thanks to people like you, it proves that the real treasure in life is health. I will never give up, I will never let ms win and I can’t wait to see my grandkids (well I can wait a little bit).
Sharon says
How do you start? Could you please list specific ways to start a life change like this? I feel overwhelmed – change my pantry? change the exercise level? jump in with both feet? did you get discouraged? how did you overcome these times? thank you for considering these questions – I appreciate your blog/food/suggestions
Kristin says
I have had MS for 20 years. Finding this website and your cookbook (The Gluten-Free Almond Flour one) has been wonderful.
I’ve know for years that going Gluten Free was important with MS, but it seemed hard with a husband and 2 boys.
Thanks for sharing your story about your diagnosis. I tried the chocolate chip cookies and even though I had to use the only almond flour that is available where we live in MT, Bob’s Red Mill, they still tasted great! I just ordered one of your recommended brands online!!
Thanks for all of your time and love that you have put in to helping all of us!
Stephanie says
Hi Elana. I know you can’t answer me but I’m okay with that. I was also diagnosed w/ MS – four years ago in 2008. I’d just had my third baby, a boy. And he was just 3 months old as we sat in my doctors office together while I was told this devastating news. I also freaked out – in fact, I went into a depression and couldn’t function for at least a good month. As you know, stress makes the symptoms worse, so that didn’t help.
Anyhow, I am SO very grateful to have found your website be/c just now am I opening up to changing my diet and lifestyle to help my body heal. I figure I have only so much control over this so as long as I am eating well and exercising then at least I’ve done something. I am scared about giving up the foods I love, but your website is helping me see that there are options out there – I just have to be prepared and open to trying to new things! Thankfully my husband is completely supportive in this new diet endevour!
So thanks. I’m excited to try some new food and have to think of it as not what I’ve giving up but what I’m gaining.
stephanie
Amy says
Thank you for your honesty and willingness to share with us on your blog, Elana! I’m going through a similar process for the second time in my life and have felt so alone in the process because of your #5. No matter how many times I explain what I need, a close friend has taken my lack of energy as a personal affront. I’ve sadly been realizing this means we won’t be able to be as close of friends, not that I have to fix something about myself. I wouldn’t say that being sick causes you to find out who your “true friends” are. It gives you the chance, if you’re willing, to find out who the “right friends” are for you and to move towards them.
soni says
thank you for all you’ve been sharing over that last few years. you have always been a great resource and inspriation. i too have been on an adventure over the years trying to get the diet right to get my health back. i just listened to this radio show and though of you with the MS and the natural approach you have taken. not sure if you would be interested but i though it can’t hurt to share. i guess the most interesting thing is the cyrex tests to check for antibodies and using that to help inform the diet and stave off autoimmune diseases.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/undergroundwellness/2012/07/03/detecting-autoimmunity-early-w-dr-thomas-obryan
take care.
Vita @ Juicer Depot says
You have a lot of courage to talk openly about having MS. It will help others who are going through the same situation.
Just Me says
Thank you for sharing. ;)
anne says
dearest elana — you were a wonderful, charming, fun playmate at age 3 and you’re a thoughtful, accomplished, charming friend now as we move into our mid-40s! here’s to 42 more years of health and healing for you and of loving long distance friendship with you! — anne