This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I am 26 and suffer left side weakness,I just began working out at the local gym. is anyone using any supplements while working out? I notice a few gains but wondered if taking a supplement could increase my muscle gaining, which would help me walk better..


thanks..

I exercise, and tried Whey Protein mixed in Soy Milk, and personally noticed I built more visible muscle but neurologically felt weaker and increased other symptoms.

One other thing I have tried recently is caffeine (energy drink) and noted I can work out longer. I mainly perform aerobic exercise.

Hi Lucas,

You can try creatine for building muscle and gaining some mass. According to Dr. Mercola creatine is good for pwMS because it helps with in proper mitochondrial function. It will take maybe a week or two to kick in, but you should notice a difference. Btw, the directions for use will most likely say you need to do a loading phase for about 5 days...you don't need to do this, just 5 grams after your workouts. Let me know how it goes or if you have questions. Also, whey protein is essential for building muscle and muscle recovery. Definitely try some whey protein isolate.

Scat

Hey Lucas, I was dxed with RRMS last year. After I was dxed, I started lifting & working out at a gym pretty religiously ---- I really feel much better after my workouts. Don't know if it is true or not, but I feel that the workouts flush new blood through my brain which helps clean out any accumulated toxins. For workouts I do what ever my body is capable of doing at the time. If it is a short workout just lifting on the bench, so be it. If I can run on the treadmill or do the eliptical, I do it. I'm also in the camp that beleives that there is a gastrointestinal connection with MS (at least mine), so I stay away from all the foods that might trigger an autoimmune response and that have caused me aggrevation of symptoms in the past (sort of the eilmination diet that folks like Dr. Wahls and others talk about). So, no gluten, eggs, dairy, red meat (a lot of folks on the Paleo diet say it is ok to eat grass feed red meat, but I haven't found that it works for me), soy, sugar, artificial sweetners or colorings. I take fish oil, vit D3, and some other supplements for the MS, but for working out I drink protein shakes made Garden for Life Raw Protein (it doesn't have any of the triggers I mentioned), and I get creatine through a product called Kre-Alkalyn. Kre-Alkalyn is a ph buffered form of creatine that does not cause the gastrointestinal distress I experienced with creatine monohydrate. I stay away from the whey proteins because they are dairy. Again, that might just be me but there are a lot of folks who counsel against dairy for MSers. I started a page on Facebook called "Athletes Fighting Multiple Sclerosis" where you can find some inspiriational stories of MSers staying physically active, and I have a page on the bodybuilding.com "bodyspace" site ("jim829") where I've been able to connect with some other MSers who are working out and get regular encouragment from others. Might want to check these sites out. OK, that's my two cents, I hope you find what works for you.

Hello all. I've just started working out again, but I'm not feeling very well after that. I have lost strength in all moves, and have some shoulder pains that drive me back a lot. I've had weak shoulders all my life, and now I'm wondering if this was connected with MS even before I was diagnosed. Since I'm new to the sickness I'm wondering if it is connected to MS or just me not training for quite a long time and not gained some weight.

I've been power lifting for a couple years now. I make sure I load up on protein after my work outs for recovery. I also take L-Glutamine which is good for muscle recovery.

My diet is mostly primal/paleo, though I've been gluten free for several years before my diagnoses 3.5 years ago.

Hi again. Started weightlifting again but this time I feel great . Maybe a change in the diet did it, I'm trying to make it as much Paleo as I can, but not with great success. I'm reading on other forums that you don't have to push yourself very hard and to be careful not to overheat. Any thoughts on that? Also some exercises that are not recommended, but didn't say which ones?!? I can't find a doctor who can tell me how to train. Any suggestions on how to train, or it doesn't matter as long as you don't injure yourself?

Hi Pesho,

I would say as long as you are comfortable with your exercises/lifts and you are careful not to injure yourself then it's ok. I work out everyday including running, lifting, and brazilian jiu-jitsu 3-4 days/week. Even though my endurance and strength isn't as good as it was before my MS sypmtoms, there's no question that exercise makes me feel better physically and mentally.

Hi Scat89,
I would like to train that much, but I just don't have the time. For strength I'm not sure how I'm now, haven't trained for 3 years, so I really can't compare. After 5-6 months I would be as before and I hope even better. Just my legs are troubling me, but I still walk and run without a lot of problems, only pain in the knees.

I'm continuing to get stronger. Getting a lot better results than I expected. Trying to work out 3-4 times a week, but my dentist messed things up a bit Still far away from a good shape, but for now doing great. Just didn't train legs yet, maybe I will try this week. . They were very strong in the past, and even now my doctors don't believe how fast I walk compared to a normal person, not to mention a guy with MS. Just have to get rid of the belly and I will be great. Doing Paleo diet at the moment, for the last 3 days .

Hi Pesho,

Glad to hear you're getting stronger. If you haven't trained your legs in a while you will most likely be pretty sore for the next few days. I would recommend squats and lunges to start at light weight with a lot of reps to build lean muscle and endurance. Make sure you set some time aside for stretching as well.