WHAT MS HAS DONE FOR ME

Anybody who has MS will tell you what a pain this disease can be, both literally and figuratively.  The brain fog, pain, fatigue, temperature sensitivity, bathroom problems, banding, mobility issues, speech problems...it just keeps on giving.  Don’t even get me started on what it does for women who are also going through menopause!  The side effects from the high-powered meds can be just as devastating.  They can cause platelet and other blood levels to drop as well as complications for liver function.  The potential flu-like side-effects can be loads of fun too.   

All this and the fact that it’s virtually invisible to the outside world make MS the party you wish you hadn’t attended.

Still, the meds are good!  I just got done with my fifth brain MRI in nine years.  The results say that the disease hasn’t progressed and my bloodwork tells me that I’m not suffering from the more serious side-effects at the moment.  For this, I thank God, my family (genetic, church and otherwise), my doctor, good medicine, and pure stubborn determination.

Yes, there’s a positive...a flip-side as those of us say who can remember what a 45 RPM record looks like. MS forced me into a few things I’d like to share.  Here are the positives...yes, positives!

1.  Upon realizing what MS banding does to my stomach after a full meal, I decided to lose weight.  I lost fifty pounds and have mostly kept it off for the last seven years.  It helped.  I still feel that tightening when everything pushes to my tummy but it’s not nearly as bad.  As a bonus, my blood sugar and blood pressure are lower. 

2.  I began to exercise regularly.  I do yoga every morning and ride an exercise bike at night. I really think this has been a huge factor in keeping me going.  I’ve never been flexible but I’m a lot more flexible now than I was when I was in my twenties.  It’s always a hoot to watch the reaction I get when I’m able to get up and down without stumbling.  People who know about the disease don’t expect that and it’s a small victory for me.

3.  I am proactive about researching what’s good for me and what isn’t.  I've learned a lot about acupressure and alternative ways to handle pain and maintain health.  

4. I try to eat more healthy and organic foods and I avoid aspartame and other artificial sweeteners because I’ve seen what they do to my system. 

Except for the MS, my general health is better than it ever was before.  I don’t think I would have accomplished most of it if I hadn’t been pushed into it because of MS.  So there is a silver lining.  I’d love to hear about yours!