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
Free exclusive eBook, plus recipes and health tips, delivered to your inbox.
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:
Amber says
I have been a lover of your wonderful recipes(through your cookbooks) for quite some time, but just recently subscribed to your blog & Learned that you are fighting the MonSter. well, knock my socks off!! I Was diagnosed some 20 years ago with MS, and have maintained a more or less functional existence based on your principles (without even knowing it!) I admired you before, and am now even more gratefull you have shared yourself with the world (and me!!!) What I may lack in eloquence of my words, please know I think You are fantastic. All the power to you <3
Amy says
I loved reading this. I have a question though. What advice, suggestions, etc do you have for an older person that’s already in bad shape? My mother was diagnosed about 25 years ago. She’s always seen it as something that kept her from life, even though she’s been in remission for years. She’s too afraid to do any exercise for fear it will worsen things (no matter who tells her the opposite is true). now, in her mid 60’s she’s in terrible shape health wise. She doesn’t walk very far or get out much because of back issues and vision issues. She is very overweight for her small frame which only exasperates the problem. My family has done paleo for a while to detox and now we are trying to find good balance, and we are very active. I would love for my mom to feel better, live longer and have a better quality of life but she isn’t too gung-ho on any of my ideas. Any advice or resources I can go to for information or guidance? Thanks.
Cindy says
Elana, thanks for sharing this. I have adopted pretty much the same plan, and have “experimented” with it. It works!
Just wanted to tell you that your Gluten-free Almond Flour cookbook was the FIRST grain-free cookbook that I had ever used and it really helped me so much during my transition to grain-free cooking and eating because it allowed me to make some comfort and traditional foods grain-free. (It was given to me as a gift.)
Cindy says
Thank you so much for posting this. My story is so similar I nearly cried! Right from the changes you made to the supportive husband along with the success you have found. Instead of climbing mountains I am learning to ski and have just graduated, top of my class from college (cabinetmaking)…at age 47!
Congratulations on your continuing success. It is so wonderful to know that my story is not just a fluke and that by faith alone hubby and I managed to find the right path through this trial. Keep spreading the good news!
Thanks again & be encouraged!
du lich thai lan gia re 5 ngay 4 dem says
Hi, this weekend is fastidious in support of me, because
this time i am reading this enormous informative post here at my home.
Jennifer says
I found your post because I was looking for recipes. And I was so surprised to discover our similarities. I am 42 and was diagnosed with exacerbating remitting MS at age 21 (when I was stressed out in law school and sleeping very little). For eight years, I had minor excacerbations (numbness and slight vision irregularity). I refused to go on Betaseron or Avonex (against my doctor’s recommendations).
However, my excacerbations reduced when I slept more and learned how to reduce and/or deal with life’s stresses.
I also made drastic changes in my diet. About 15 years ago I stopped eating sugar. Then I stopped drinking cows milk. Now I don’t eat grains and am on the Paleo Diet. I am now in the best shape of my life and don’t have any MS symptoms at all. I work out every day and can easily keep up with my three sons, ages 11, 7, and 5.
I have a good friend who also has MS and is doing great. She just earned her black belt in karate. She introduced me to the Paleo Diet a few years ago.
I hope we all continue to stay on course and stay healthy!
Tabitha says
What an inspirational post. Thank you.
I had an CIS episode last year and was really quite ill for a while. My mother died from ALS and her mother had MS so I started to look at what I could do to heal myself.
I found changing my diet to being gluten free amazing and life changing. I too practise mindfulness and yoga and If feel better than I have my whole life. So much so I have started a blog and am keen to promote the link between neurological disease and gluten sensitivity.
When I found your blog I did not realise this was your story. Wow you have achieved so much congratulations and thank you for sharing all your wonderful recipes and guides.
claire says
Hi Elana,
My brother in law was diagnosed with MS in 1982 – it felt like the end to all of us at the time! My sister (an epidemioligist by profession) researched extensively at that time and decided that a gluten free diet would be the best course of action, along with certain supplements (not sure which except for oil of evening primrose).
It’s 30 years later and his MS has not substantially progressed in all those years. He does however take very special care to get enough sleep and avoid stress as much as possible and to stick religiously to the gluten free diet. If he doesn’t take care of himself, he starts to trip a lot…thankfully, it has never affected his eyesight…
Best of luck to you – seems as though you are a great proponent of this successful way of life! Just wanted to let you know of a success story for long term gluten free eating…
betsy says
Beautiful post! This looks like a picture taken on Mt. Sanitas? (I went to college in Boulder.)…I have been following you for a while, but never posted. I recently went grain free. I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 12 years- diagnosed when I was 25. Your post encourages me to keep up the good fight and take time to listen to what my body needs. Thank you for all that you have taught me through your blog and thanks for sharing your personal story too. It is inspiring.
Marjorie Yarnell says
Thank you for sharing your personnal story! Am new to gluten free/ sugar free, etc and positive stories like yours gives a promising note to those with medical issues…hoping this diet will help me to heal! Enjoying your thoughts and recipes!