Just Diagnosed with MS?

Last Updated on December 5, 2023 by Cathy

Those two little letters M S put together are something you never want to hear from your doctor. But over 200 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) EACH WEEK and this is just an estimate. Sometimes it can take years before a person is officially diagnosed.

My first symptom was optic neuritis, I went completely blind in my left eye. My ophthalmologist told me “You could have MS someday.” Unfortunately, he was right. I was fifteen at the time and they didn’t perform MRIs like they do today.

I wasn’t sure what MS was, heck I wasn’t even sure how to spell s-c-l-e-r-o-s-i-s. This was before the internet so I couldn’t easily look it up. All I knew was the “MS Walk” and people ended up in a wheelchair as a quadriplegic and then died from MS. (I’ve included steps you can take at the bottom of this post.)

I knew in the back of my mind I had MS, even before being officially diagnosed, from all the strange sensations. Like an electrical sensation going down my spine when I looked down. But, when I was finally diagnosed years later it was still devastating.

Triggers to MS:

Diet (processed foods, refined sugar, refined carbs, food allergies, etc.)
Infections (Candida, viruses, bacteria, and parasites)
Environmental Toxins (heavy metals, mold, pesticides, plastics, etc.)
Chronic Stress
Genetics

Stages of Grief

It’s okay to feel depressed or angry that this happened to you. It’s called the Five Stages of Grief, it’s not terminal but you are losing the life you once had. This is a natural process everyone goes through. You just had a life-changing experience but the more you learn the better you will feel.

1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

Frequently Asked Questions about Multiple Sclerosis

Take a Deep Breath

Having MS isn’t a death sentence so you can take a sigh of relief. But, you need to take control of your health NOW before MS starts to do permanent damage to your body. Everyone is different and the severity is different. However, it’s extremely important to STAY POSITIVE. Stress will make things worse!

There isn’t a cure but you shouldn’t give up hope. I’ve been living with MS for most of my life and I’m still walking (not perfect but still walking). Yes, I hate it but it’s who I am. I believe I’m a better person today because of MS. I eat a healthy diet, I appreciate life more, and I help as many people as I can to stop their MS from progressing.

Fortunately, researchers are closer than ever to finding the cause and treatment. MS is a disease caused by chronic inflammation. Find your triggers and remove them. You can stop the progression and possibly reverse your symptoms.

Medications

I didn’t go on medications right away, it was after a few flares that I reluctantly went on one of the “CRAB” drugs. (Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron – yes, this is dating me.) All this drug did for me was make me feel horrible and it made my MS flares stronger and closer together.

Today, there are many MS drugs to choose from. Your neurologist is going to push you to start one immediately. But, with all the horrible side effects it’s a really hard decision as to whether you should start one. This is an individual decision you will have to make for yourself with your family. Don’t let your doctor force you into something you’re not comfortable with.

MS drugs are expensive and have terrible side effects from flu-like symptoms to death. Educate yourself so you can make the right decision for yourself. Whether you are more comfortable being on a medication or not, trust your instinct.

There are steps you can start taking and you should do them immediately. Don’t wait for tomorrow, start today:

• Avoid all sodas
• Eat a healthy diet including lots of dark leafy greens and fatty fish (mackerel, salmon, sardines, etc.)
• Get plenty of sleep
• Keep moving
• Laugh
• Learn to manage stress
• Quit drinking alcohol (it’s hard on the liver and your liver is trying to detox)
• Stop smoking
• Take probiotics to improve your gut health
• Take a vitamin D3 supplement and get tested

Hope

My last MS flare left me with paralysis on half my face, double vision, vertigo, slurred speech, and more. I looked like I just had a stroke! There had to be something better than these MS medications. I started searching on the internet (with one eye closed) and discovered I could use food as my medicine.

I couldn’t wait, for the first time in years, I had hope! Most neurologists don’t explain how diet can benefit people with MS. My neurologist told me “Diet doesn’t work” – Really? Even doctors, like Dr. Terry Wahls, are turning to diet to control their autoimmune diseases. After one year I stopped all MS medications and haven’t had a flare since, that was almost fourteen years ago.

Nutrient-Dense Diet

It’s important to eat a nutrient-dense diet, focused on mostly vegetables. Avoid foods that cause inflammation, remember you’re trying to remove inflammation.

Avoid:

Dairy
Gluten/grains
Legumes (beans, peanuts, soy)
Processed foods
Sensitivities to any other foods (eggs, nightshades, shellfish, etc.)

You’re trying to heal your nervous system and since it’s slow to heal you need to do everything you can to help your body. Try to eat organic as much as possible. You will be avoiding pesticides, antibiotics, and growth hormones. If it’s not possible at least buy organic produce if it’s on the Dirty Dozen list.

Include these foods in your diet:

• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Herbs and spices
• Healthy oils
• Nuts and seeds
• Wild-caught fish
• Pasture-raised poultry
• Grass-fed meats
• Organ meats
• Seaweed

Gut Health

Researchers discovered people with MS have higher levels of certain bad bacteria. In other words, they are missing the good bacteria. There is also a strong link between the gut and the brain. Have you ever felt sick to your stomach when you are nervous?

Eighty percent of the human immune system lies in the intestinal tract. Including, trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other single-celled organisms. Even the National MS Society is funding studies to investigate this research.

Fermented Foods

Eating a wide range of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices is beneficial for overall health and well-being. While fermented foods can contribute to a healthy gut microbiome by providing probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria, a balanced diet that includes a variety of plant-based foods offers many advantages for your health.

Here are some reasons why consuming fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices is important:

1. Diverse Nutrient Profile. Fruits and vegetables are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Each type of plant food provides a unique set of nutrients, and consuming a variety ensures that you get a broad spectrum of essential compounds necessary for various bodily functions.
2. Fiber Content. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of dietary fiber. Fiber is essential for digestive health, promoting regular bowel movements, and helping prevent constipation. It also supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
3. Antioxidants. Plant foods are packed with antioxidants, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting cells from damage and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, including certain types of cancer.
4. Phytochemicals. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices contain phytochemicals, which are natural compounds that have been shown to have various health benefits. These compounds can have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immune-boosting properties.
5. Supporting Gut Health. While fermented foods contribute probiotics to the gut, fruits and vegetables provide prebiotics, which are substances that nourish and support the growth of beneficial bacteria. A combination of prebiotics and probiotics promotes a healthy balance of gut microbiota.
6. Heart Health. Consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases. The fiber, potassium, and antioxidants in these foods contribute to heart health by promoting healthy blood pressure, reducing cholesterol levels, and supporting overall cardiovascular function.
7. Brain Health. Some fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in antioxidants like berries and leafy greens, have been associated with cognitive function and a reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline.

In summary, while fermented foods can be a valuable addition to promote gut health, incorporating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices into your diet provides a holistic approach to overall health and well-being, supporting various bodily functions and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

You Got This

Add antioxidant-rich foods to your diet each day. Such as blueberries, green tea, and dark leafy greens. Eat omega-3-rich foods to repair your myelin sheath, such as salmon, chia, and ground flaxseeds. And take a good quality probiotic supplement for gut health.

Listen to your body and stay positive. You got this!

Get the Five Steps to Heal Your Multiple Sclerosis

Get the password for the library with my five steps to Heal Your Multiple Sclerosis here by filling out this form:

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