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:
Alisa says
Your MS treatment plan sounds like a life treatment plan Elana. You are such an amazing person and inspiration.
Christina says
Elana,
Thank you for sharing and the great advice. Sometimes it is hard to avoid the negative people who don’t understand (especially when you live in the same house with them) and tell you there is nothing wrong with you. Same thing from many many doctors. I have been searching for about 2 years to find health (and help myself get back to health – be an active participant in health I mean). There are SO many other modalities out there and diets, etc. It can get very confusing. There are even “machines” “out there” that can tell the practitioner (non-invasive) if you have fungus, or candida, or nutritional deficiencies, or imbalances, and of course, each machine does something different and each one “is the best”, if you know what I mean… I have been glute, soy, and dairy free. Still having alot of pain and problems. I also have lymphocytic colitis and diverticulosis, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I was also told I might have Fibromyalgia too. There are all mostly autoimmune disorders, which is fast becoming prevelant. Well I also have IBS, and the “diet treatment” for IBS is the exact opposite of paleo. It is so darn confusing to determine what to do. There is alot of calling, money spent, experimenting, etc. to try to find health. It is too bad we have to pay out of pocket for most of it too (Americans). Anyway… enough complaining, I just wanted to say thank you. You are so beauutiful inside and outside! Many blessings to you, Christina, Ohio.
Linda C says
For Christina in Ohio: I’m sorry to hear that you don’t get more support at home. I’ve been there too, and it is very painful, so my heart goes out to you. And I experienced the same thing with doctors for years! Like you, I’m gluten, dairy, and soy-free, but was still struggling to feel better until I went completely grain-free. I’m also doing a special eating plan to heal my intestinal tract since I’d gotten to the point that I could tolerate very few foods without reactions; the eating plan is called the “Specific Carbohydrate Diet” and I make homemade yogurt with homemade almond milk. I don’t know what “diet treatment” you are referring to, but the “SCD” is very similar to Paleo: both focus on whole foods, both are grain-free and refined sugar-free, and both eliminate processed foods, but there are some differences too (i.e. like SCD allows dairy and properly prepared beans which Paleo doesn’t, but Paleo allows starchy veggies not allowed on the SCD). My version of the SCD does not include beans or nightshades because I have such bad reactions to them, so you might call it SCD+Paleo for autoimmune. After only four months on my version of the SCD, my thyroid symptoms are improving (i.e. I don’t have ice cold hands and feet!), my energy and focus are improving, and surprisingly, my sense of smell has “arrived”. And I say “arrived” because I’ve never had a good sense of smell my whole life; it’s been a pleasant surprise along with my other improvements with my health. Keep in mind that you MUST NOT HAVE any of the “forbidden foods” on the SCD for it to be effective. The SCD has and is doing a wonderful healing for my body; another similar eating plan is called “GAPS”. I hope this is helpful. I wish you good health and all the best.
Christina says
LindaC –
Thank you so much for the kind words and understanding and for the information. God bless you on your journey of healing. Gratefully,
Chris.
Minnie@thelady8home says
I once had a client that had MS….every step she took was painful. Her youngest was 7 years old and she was already at a stage where sitting in a place for a period of time was taxing. My heart went out to her. A physiotherapist herself, I just watched her losing the war everyday.
Your post is so insightful,and an inspiration. I wish I could forward this to her….
Betty Rocker says
Dear Elana,
When I was reading your post, I kept thinking I wonder if she’s seen Dr Terry Wahls’ amazing Ted Talks video. I saw in your links that you recommend it as a resource. I learned so much from watching that video, and I share it with everyone I know as often as I can. Iam so fortunate to be healthy, with no diagnosed medical conditions, but being vigilant in my food choices is a huge part of how I intend to stay that way. I think everyone can learn something of benefit from eating in a way that supports their body’s natural processes.
I also really love what you said about Boundaries. I think stress plays a huge role in our level of wellness. Consciously choosing to put ourselves in positive situations as often as possible has probably one of the most beneficial effects on our state of mind, and therefore our overall health.
Thank you for sharing your story, and for posting those great resources.
All the best,
Betty Rocker
Aidel.K says
What an inspiration you are! Thank you.
ChristineD says
I think your MS plan would make a great Life Plan in general. Bravo. Keep feeling well. :)
Mary Kay says
Thank you and God bless you.
Lisa Vance says
Elana,
Thank you for this beautiful post. Similarly, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in late 2006 and immediately began to worry about becoming permanently disabled and in a wheelchair within weeks. Yep, I was SURE I was going to die. LOL, so I know the feeling of that crazy pit in the stomach and consuming worry.
To my surprise, I feel better today than I remember feeling since high school (and I’m in my 40s). Soon after the RA dx, I also learned that I was gluten intolerant and literally starving to death while eating. My body was in crisis mode with multiple vitamin deficiencies. I was also over-weight, despite years of dieting without success, and literally gaining weight on a 1000 calorie diet.
Since going on a gluten-free diet, I’ve lost 100 pounds and feel incredibly better. I’ve had work-ups for MS, but was ultimately also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, early menopause, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Turns out the Ehlers-Danlos has been the root of my chronic pain since childhood. I find that accidental gluten consumption exacerbates the joint pain and cognitive issues, so I avoid it as if it were a poison.
I LOVE your Personal Treatment plan. It’s very similar to the rules I’ve set for myself, and call my personal management program. I prioritize your #5 (boundaries) at the top of the list as I find that managing what I do, and how I do it, makes it possible to do much more and that avoiding situations that exacerbate any of my conditions keeps the pain away. Coming to this understanding was quite difficult for me as I’m a military widow (10 years this past May) and I had to decide to NOT attend a couple of memorial dedications and other events because I understand that it will make me sick for weeks. That was one of the hardest decisions for me, but I know I am much better off from a health perspective.
This year, following my management program, my significant other and I went on an 8-day vacation and it was the best ever! I didn’t come home exhausted, and I didn’t get sick afterwards, and best of all, I had FUN every day. I find that walking up and down hills and stairs is next to impossible with the EDS, my knees just don’t work like they should and have been extremely painful since my late teens. No stairs, no hills and I was able to go on a 4 mile walk and feel ready for more later that day!
Elana, thanks for sharing your program. I hope it helps other. I might add another – I’ve found that limiting or removing alcohol has made a huge difference. I was never a big drinker, but now might have one or two mild drinks a month. Instead I drink coffee. The caffeine seems to counter the sleepiness caused by the various medications, and I just feel better both while I’m out AND the next day. I’m one of those fols that can fall asleep minutes after drinking shots of caffeine, so this may not work for those that are sensitive to caffeine. My significant other is a pharmacist and has stated that my tolerances and reactions to medications are skewed from the norm – a symptom of EDS – narcotics have little to no side effects on me, caffeine none, and valium makes me mean. LOL
Also, since getting my self management under control (and medications/supplements as needed), I’ve gone from completely exhausted and beyond sick and unable to take care of my house and my self to redecorating and painting an organized and clean home! It wasn’t until I “bit the bullet” and accepted my condition and the fact that I’d never be the “SAME” as before or as everyone else (I had always dreamed of doing a 24-hour mountain bike race, but now understand that no matter how much I exercise, my muscles will never get strong enough to complete it) – accepting things, and re-establishing goals that are appropriate for me has made a huge difference.
Take care and TAKE IT EASY when you need to. That’s my motto. Lisa
PS – thanks for the great recipes and books! I love your blog.
Lori says
What a great story. I know a few people with MS and I wish I could convince them of your holistic approach. I will keep trying.
So happy for you ..
Laurie Erdman | Chronic Wellness Coach says
Elena, this is wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Our stories are mirror images of each other. I was diagnosed with MS in 2009 and created a similar plan. I’m symptom-free and full of life – a big improvement over where I was.
I believe sharing our stories and knowledge is critical to help others. And thank you for using your diagnosis to create such wonderful products.