"Last week I was told by my neurologist that I have Multiple Sclerosis. I am not overly concerned (because that won't change a thing) but just trying to think it all through. My neurologist, Dr. xxx, who is extremely thorough and has been doing this for years, gave me two choices of medicine. Aubagio (which can cause liver damage, therefore I would have blood tests every two weeks for six months to keep an eye on my liver) or the injection Copaxone."
" That said, I would love just to change my entire lifestyle by eating a lot healthier and exercising and have that take care of it all! I am leaning towards this but just need to process all of it, research and also possibly hear about some others who have it and do not take meds"
The only thing I’ve heard about is bee venom (from stings).
We have a doctor in our community who treats many things naturally. He has been very successful with diet. Don’t remember the initials behind his name He’s an MD but also has at least two other set of initials.
Diet — removing all those chemicals etc is an intrical part of his diet.
Personally, if it was me, I’d be chasing this down myself, and try to get in with the folks who ran this study in the UK or find folks in the US doing the same thing...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/03/22/miraculous-results-from-new-ms-treatment/
The associations between MS and Vit D deficiency grow stronger as the data rolls in.
A Ketogenic diet can be beneficial in several neurologic disorders. She can do an Internet search, gather info, and decide if that’s right for her.
When I grew up, I witnessed the progression of the disease in our neighbor for a period of 20 years.
I don’t know if any treatment can stop the disease...but this man tried all he could to delay it through activity. It makes some sense - use your muscles and nerves to keep the nerves you’ve still got well used and ‘exercised’.
So as an example, he did not suddenly start using a wheel chair one day. Rather, he took graduated steps. First a simple cane, then a cane with 4 ‘feet’, then two canes. And when it became too far to walk from his car (hand controls in an amazing ‘72 Chevelle) to a building, he started using a golf cart to get closer...He really only started using a wheel chair after a fall and broken hip.
Anyway, my only advice based on observing this man: stay active for as long as possible.
My sister-in-law (around 55 years old) just went in for an experimental treatment called “Lemtrada”
She tried just about everything and something helped slightly but nothing really did much positive.
MS should only affect really bad people but it seems like the best people get it.
Can’t help you with any “natural” remedies....but I have a friend with MS who has been on Copaxone for 8 years with no side effects. The injection is no fun but it is now 3 times per week instead of every day. Her MS has remained the type that is “remitting”, I believe...which means she has not deteriorated much at all. There are several types of MS.
She also joined a group who holds monthly meetings where they have speakers who are local neurologists who specialize in MS treatment. At those dinners, MS patients can share their treatment choices. One woman who goes there is on Copaxone but also is on a gluten free diet. There is a doctor who is the “guru” of this gluten free diet for MS patients.(I think you can find this doctor/diet on the internet).....She also has not had the serious deterioration yet.
Blessings on your niece.
Have her do a search on “Dr. Jonathan Wright, multiple sclerosis”.....better yet, call Wrights clinic...Tahoma Clinic in Tukwila, WA...She’ll get lots of answers
Please research “ozone therapy” on youtube.
As others have mentioned here, a ketogenic diet. Also get hold of the book Grain Brain by Dr David Perlmutter, neurologist. He discusses MS along with the diseases which tend to affect older people like Parkinsons, Alzheimers, etc. They are all essentially caused or made worse by high carb diets, especially grains - even the so-called “healthy” whole grains. She could also search on Youtube. There’s lots of his stuff there.
Seems many successfully can manage their symptoms with medical cannabis.
http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/features/medical-marijuana-multiple-sclerosis
Vote Trump 2016
Changing life style to a healthier eating and activity level can help...cutting out foods that cause inflammation (tons of literature on this) and reducing stress help. There is no cure.
She should search latest studies I recall reading that there were some good results in recent trials
I have a friend who has had it for years. She goes through periods of remission and problem periods, which is the most common form of the disease. Moving to a colder and drier climate helped her more than anything else. When she visits her old home area in Louisiana, she goes downhill within days from heat and humidity. She is very sensitive to any kind of pesticide exposure, which sends her into weeks of inability to walk properly.
I’ve had MS for over 20 years. The first MS treatments approved were the interferons. I was on Betaseron for many years and it seemed to help keep me relatively stable. Betaseron is an every other day injection. All meds are offered for RRMS (relapsing remitting MS) and a few years ago, I slipped across the line to SPMS (secondary progressive)...so no meds are used for that kind of MS
Her doctor is putting her on Copaxone which is a once a day injection, developed in Israel, yet it, too would be considered an older treatment.
The cutting edge now is Stem Cell treatment, but unless you’re in a “study” you won’t be getting it , and your insurance won’t pay, so we’re talking
around 20 thousand dollars, and I might be wrong about this, but I think you have to travel outside the country to get it done. I heard miraculous sounding stories about stem cell transplant (they use your own stem cells.)
Tysabri is a once a month infusion. People on this med report it can actually reverse symptoms. Only thing is, there’s a risk for a brain infection call PML, and so they discourage use of the medicine past a certain number of doses.
But most folks on this infusion love the way it makes them feel.
There is another new pill, beside Aubagio, that’s called Tecfidera. It’s exceedingly expensive, but usually covered by insurance. Don’t get me started on the cost because according on what was charge in Europe for this med in much higher doses, MS patients, and their insurance are getting supremely ripped off.
Tecfidera is supposed to be better than the original injectable ABCR meds (,Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Rebif) It’s convenient, pill form. Side effects are gastrointestinal, but can be alleviated by eating certain foods with the pill, and those side effects seem to pass the longer you’re on them.
So many options, but it all depends on a person’s MS. Everybody’s different. Tell her because she starts on Copaxone doesn’t mean she’ll have to stay with the med. I know folks who have been on every med regimen, just looking for what’s right for them.
There are folks who have never taken an MS med and seem to be doing just fine, but I personally choose to medicate but I stayed with the older interferon, even as the new drugs were coming out because the Betaseron seemed to be keeping me somewhat stable and it didn’t give me side effects..
Read forums, you can get some great info from other MS patients.
MS World has a forum subset just containing meds. (I think MSWorld is down for maintenance right now...but it’ll be up soon.)
There are diets that are recommended for MS, Remember MS is not an immune deficiency, it’s just the opposite, my immune system has gone into overdrive and it’s gnawing on the myelin of my nerves, much like a mouse might gnaw on the rubber coating of an electrical cord. When enough of the “wire” is gnawed through, the signal stops getting through, or is slowed, and parts of my body don’t work right. My immune system is so hyped I haven’t had a cold or virus in years. Everyone around me will get sick, and I just don’t catch it (that may be one of the bonuses if there is such a thing)
Tell her welcome to the club that nobody wants to be a member of :)
Low Dose Naltrexone. Full strength Naltrexone is for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics, but low dose works by modulating the immune system so it will stop attacking itself and healing can begin. it is a prescription drug that is actually good for your health.
The other thing she could look into is the Auto-Immune Protocol (elimination diet). The theory is that many (if not all) autoimmune disorders are caused (or exacerbated) by leaky gut syndrome and the accompanying inflammation.
I have an autoimmune disorder (but not specifically MS) and I am completely asymptomatic using these two strategies.
I have read about this person, Terry Wahls MD, and she says she used diet mostly to put her into remission. Saw on facebook the MS Society is starting some trials of her protocol. Best of luck to your niece! https://www.facebook.com/TerryWahls
When I work with someone, we explore the root causes of their disease, decide which areas of their life could change to make their condition better, and then I walk with them on their journey to support both their physical needs and emotional needs.
What your niece wants is exactly what I do. I'd love it if you would give her my contact info. You can find my website at http://dandelionthyme.com
I've got a free download there with some first steps to take in getting back on track.
I wish her the best in her journey. MS is a tough diagnosis, but I've seen it go into remission and even reverse with understanding the root cause and working to resolve the ongoing inflammation that causes the damage.