This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hello all

I have been lurking on this form for a few weeks as a guest.

I have now plucked up the courage to join and ask for help.

I have recently received a possible diagnosis of MS from my neurologist after experiencing pins and needles for5 months and more recently burning/cold sensations. I have had an MRI which showed small lesions in my brain and on my spine. I think although my Dr was reluctant to provide a confirmed diagnosis after reading about MS I think it is MS.

I am soo scared about my condition deteriorating especially as I hope to be able to start a family next year. I have read that MS affects more women than men.

I am reluctant to start using any strong drugs as yet especially having not had children yet. However, I have read on some topics that you should start using the drugs earlier rather than later to stop it porgressing. Is this correct?

In essence, I would very very much like to receive advice/tips about what vitamins/minerals to take, diet changes etc etc. I have read about this but there seems to be conflicting information on the internet. Are there any books you would recommend that I read?


Many many thanks in advance

Rach.

Welcome Rach.

we have lots of info here. jl should reply soon.

if it makes you feel any better, my fiance had her first child after being diagnosed.

Go for it. Do not let MS stop you from living the life you want. Whatever happens you and your loved ones will adapt!!!

welcome, Rach--
you are right to look at diet, nutrition and lifestyle first. Get your body in the best shape, and you should have a good pregnancy.
The things all these plans (Swank Diet, Best Bet, Dr. Wahls, Jelinek, etc) agree on is to make sure your vitamin D levels are good. Zinc and magnesium are also important minerals that balance vit. D. Eat a plant-centered, lowered fat diet--all whole and organic foods. Some say remove gluten, or legumes, or red meat....but whatever works for you and your body is what's best for you. Make sure to move every single day. Don't smoke or drink. Try to learn how to deal with stress proactively....thru exercise, meditation, yoga, prayer. Again, whatever works for you. Make sure you get plenty of antioxidants from colorful fruits and vegetables (the more color, the better!) Find time to laugh, see friends, don't live in fear.

Here's the best news---you may very well not even have MS! Some people who have migraines, or vascular events, have small lesions like yours. And every day you spend worrying is a day you won't have to enjoy. Jimmylegs has great nutritional and supplement advice....maybe PM her if she doesn't pop on. These lifestyle changes will help your body prepare for pregnancy and motherhood, no matter what.
Be well, Rach---
cheer

_________________
Husband dx RRMS 3/07
dx dual jugular vein stenosis (CCSVI) 4/09
dual stents placed 5/09
CCSVI in MS

Hi Rach,

Welcome to the forum. You will find a lot of useful information here.

I'm going to second what Cheer said to you. Small lesions on the brain don't necessarily mean that you have MS. That's likely why your doctor hasn't given a definite diagnosis of MS as more tests have to be run. Even then this disease can sometimes be quite difficult to pin down.

Having said this, my opinion would be not to consider at this time any of the MS drugs that are available. You want to be absolutely sure that you have MS before choosing any of these medications or not choosing any of them.

Looking into the future, if you do indeed have MS, be aware that pregnancy has a tendency to mask MS symptoms. Scientists just aren't sure why this happens although they suspect the hormones associated with pregnancy have something to do with it. It's after the the child is born that could trigger an attack as your body will go through another hormonal change. This is something that you should discuss in detail with your neurologist as several factors have to be considered.

Whatever decisions you make, ensure that you are as well informed as possible. The best of luck.

Harry

hi rach welcome to the forum the links in my 'signature' below will give you some good preliminary reading re nutrients. feel free to post or pm me with any questions.

any possibility of requesting some nutritional blood tests from your doc?

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

At the least, get on a good diet and start on the often-recommended supplements. That may at least help slow down progression if and until get get on the potent drugs.

We can't know how our MS will progress, so probably the best thing is to continue living the life you want. Things may get bad in the next few years, or they might not. Some new drugs coming out might allow you to live a fairly normal life even if you do have MS. Don't NOT do things purely out of fear but DO do those things that will help if you do have MS.

I have a friend who was diagnosed and still had a healthy pregnancy and baby almost 2 yrs after receiving her diagnosis.

_________________
Amie
Mom to Bitty, Bear and Tater

Awhh thank you everyone for your positive words and advice. It does mean alot during this uncertainty.

Cheerleader and Harryz - so I can have lesions in my brain and spine, and pins and needles etc at the same time and it could not be MS? Really? What else could explain the lesions and symptoms? Its interesting as I never thought of this aspect.

Jimmylegs I will be looking at your signature with interest, thanks. I had blood tests completed and results were all ok. The only point of interest is that approx. 1 year ago I complained to my Doctor about week feelings in my wrists and my Vit D level were extremely low (can't recall the exact level) and I was prescribed 20,000 iu of Vit D for I think 8 weeks. This time round my Vit D levels were in the normal range albeit at the lower end. Can I ask is it possible to take too much Vit D??

Many thanks once again.

hi again rach!

if you have a copy of your bloodwork, could you forward them? once you get into those 'signature' links you'll quickly see why i'm very suspicious of 'ok' results.

as for the vit d3, yeah, you and everybody else, right?! do you know if your supplement was vit d2 or vit d3? d3 is more appropriate. lower end of the 'normal' range is a far cry from minimum risk of ms (and a pretty long list of other things too). you can DEFINITELY take too much vit d, and that's why testing is so important.

i'd have a close look at zinc status as it is of critical importance to building new human beings and, can have a profound impact on your ability to absorb and make use of vit d3.

ttfn!

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

There are several explanations that could explain your symptoms. Lesions can occur in healthy people...Lime Disease can cause similar symptoms.... other neurological conditions can present with pins and needles. When it comes to MS, the docs usually like to eliminate all other possible causes before giving a MS diagnosis. There is no one test available yet that can give an accurate diagnosis. And it very well could be MS!

Harry