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:
Susan W. says
Thank you for such a wonderful post! I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 1985. It’s taken several years to figure out the right plan for me to be able to live well with it. My family is very understanding and helpful of the schedule I follow everyday.
I love your personalized MS treatment plan. You are an inspiration. Thank you!
Megan@BlueStarVermont.com says
Thank you, thank you for being who you are, for opening your life to us and touching others so deeply. Like you I also received the kind of diagnosis where the whole world stopped in that moment, and like you, I have learned the diagnosis can be a gift. Look at the change that has come because of the diagnosis. As we work with our bodies, really paying attention to what we need to do, we learn to truly listen and come to know our Souls.
Toni says
Somehow after reading your blog intermittently for years, I didn’t know this! I love the Terry Wahls’ video, I pass it around all the time. :)
Your healthy list looks like a good one for every BODY! :)
Lisa says
The subject matter is so inspiring, Elana. Your words are so beautiful too. Rarely have I seen someone with the ability to impart so much of value in so few words. I have lupus and fibromyalgia and while I have worked very hard at getting healthy through diet and exercise in the past, the boundaries section of your plan is deficient in my plan. Thank you very much for posting this personal method and triumph!
Judee @ Gluten Free A-Z says
Elana,
Such an inspiring post!
I love your personalized healing plan. It sounds like a healthy living plan that everyone could benefit from. I retired from 25 years of teaching high school yesterday and always struggle with taking care of me. I woke up this morning saying I need a personal plan!
I love your plan I’m going to print it and put it where I can see it.
Thank you so much..
Beth Orfanos says
I was going to tell you about Terry Wahls..we’ve know her now for a couple of years..I have been concerned about you since I read about your MS and wanted to tell you about her book..I’m so thrilled you are on the right track. My husband is studing functional medicine for about 2 1/2 years, with a speciality in cardiology. We just saw
Terry in Arizona at a meeting, she looked wonderful.. Bless you and thank you for all the beautiful recipes and incouragement…Beth
Susan Jones says
Elana, you have given us all hope and healing advice, thank you
GiGi says
Dear Elana…some years ago I was diagnosed with heart disease, prescribed heart meds and walked around with nitroglycerine In my pocket. I took charge of my life with God’s help and guidance and now am med free without symptoms and am over 70. When somewhere along the way I became wheat intolerant, it was no problem. I knew what to do. It is all under control. And I eat well and am so much healthier than most of my peers.
To watch most Americans flow along with the SAD (SadAmericanDiet) is heartbreaking. We are a sick nation. Those who don’t take charge of their own health, enjoy the wonderful gifts of good food available, eat fresh, local, and organic when possible will sadly pay a high price later.
I loved your #5. It works. But also, I would add to that – when in the company of others, keep it light and airy — and my #6 would be — give back. Look for some way to help others. It gets you out beyond yourself. You do that with your blog.
May God continue to bless you and your family richly.
Merisi in Vienna says
Thank you, Elena, for this inspiring post and good luck to you in the future,
Merisi
Nancy Bastedo says
I know of 3 people in particular who over the years have been diagnosed with MS. All 20 or more years ago. They are still walking about doing everything they want to do, they appear to be totally unaffected. One of them was a coworker diagnoised in 1974 and I think he has been in remission since recovering from the first attack. Keep on climbing Elana :-)