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
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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:
Lana says
Thank you for sharing Elana. My friend has just been diagnosed with MS and I forwarded your post to her.
Phyllis says
I love the article about MS. I have known one other person who took that approach. She was a patient who came in for Blood work when I worked in a patient service center with a diagnostic lab. She said she would love to talk to every person diagnosed with MS. At that time, she had the disease about 20 yrs. I think it’s important that people with MS know what they can do to deal with the disease. Thank you for publishing it.
Julie says
Sorry, this is silly.
I’ve had MS for 20 years. I have 2 small children, a happy marriage, career and active social life. Absolutely have had my ups and downs with the disease, but only through medication can I say I am stable. That, intense exercise, sunlight and a healthy (no red meat) diet.
The gluten-free is diet an overhyped trend is is meant for those with celiac disease. I consume gluten on a daily basis and I’m perfectly fine .
To each his/her own in regards to this disease. Please stop telling people that going gluten free will help. It’s absurd. Trial and error, people. That is the only way to figure out what’s right for your body.
Amy says
I realize you aren’t worth acknowledging but I can’t help myself…Are you kidding me?! Elana has shared from her heart what has worked for her in her health journey. She has celiac and MS. In what way is her approach silly? Your disrespect is unbelievable and ignorant. Why are you even here?
Shirley says
I was diagnosed with MS in 2006. Going Gluten-free is not silly. I have inflammation with Gluten and feel much better when I eliminate it as much as possible from my diet. Everyone is different with what effects them with MS. Fatigue is what takes me down. A doctor once said that someone who cannot tolerate Gluten can have the same signs/issues as someone with MS but yet it be do to the Gluten. There are tests for both.
Thank you Elana for your treatment plan and story. I printed the plan to remind me to try and get all the steps in as much as I can.
Lori says
Thanks for sharing this inspirational post. I don’t have MS, but I do have Crohn’s and a number of other autoimmune complications, so my healing plan is actually very similar to yours. Going (mostly) grain-free and totally gluten-free has changed my life. And positivity and good energy is imperative! Thanks for sharing your recipes and more…
-Lori
http://adventuresofasickchick.com
Louise Ross says
I had no idea you created this wonderful blog with your superb GF recipes from a place of (former) ill-health, Elana. I absolutely love your “treatment plan;” I think it’s a plan worth applying whether you’re unwell, healing or healthy. Thank you for reposting it!
Katrina says
Love this. Just think you are so wonderful. Still on the road of dealing with and finding what works best for me with my newer MS diagnosis. Planning to kick it! Thanks for all your wonderful insight.
Allison O'Neil says
Have you ever been tested for Lyme by a Lyme literate doctor. The test most doctors use is not accurate. Many people diagnosed with MS really have Lyme. Lyme is known as the “great imitator”and can also be misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia, RA, ALS, ….
Rachael Doey says
Hi Elana
I am 29 with 3 small kids and was just diagnosed with MS October last year! I love your recipes and your post has really inspired and encouraged me! I was just meant to read it. Thank you so much xo
Becky says
Elana,
Thanks for this post. I’ve already incorporated some of these ideas into my life, but will try to concentrate on the others.
I was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2008. By looking back to the last time I was actually outdoors,and when I got a tick bite with bulls-eye rash, my husband and I figured out that I’d been exposed sometime between 1985 and 1994. At the time I’d gone to see my MD, who ordered tests and then told me they were OK. Unfortunately, he never ordered a Lyme titer or Western Blot.
The doctor who finally diagnosed me also did a CD-57, which is only sued on Lyme patients and HIV patients. It also tells you how sick you are.
I mention this because Lyme is known as The Great Imitator. It can mimic Lupus, MS, and Parkinson’s. I encourage people who have one of these diagnoses to get a simple Lyme test, using a reputable lab. (some labs’ testing aren’t accurate.)
My Lyme MD was the one who advised me to give up wheat , plus corn, rice and potatoes, as they feed the bacteria. She also advised giving up legumes, as they may contribute to leaky gut syndrome.
I hope that this may help somebody else.
Kathy says
Elana, thank you for your inspirational comments. I, too, have MS and have been diagnosed for over 25 years now. My best healing results have come from dietary and activity changes. Last summer, at the age of 51, I ran the fastest pace for my age group in a local 5 km race. I don’t feel my age and MS is no longer the death sentence I readily gave it.
Unfortunately, my mental health presents current challenges. I am in the midst of a depression that has packed a punch and recovery is coming…much more slowly than I would like. But my recovery plan does include the same themes as does my recovery plan for MS. However, it is harder to execute at times. Reading your entry has given me the kick I need for today. Thank you!