This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I have been recently diagnosed after having an episode of my entire left side being numb and optic neuritis in my right eye. It has been pretty overwhelming for me to accept this due to the fact that I have had a very rough year with my dad passing recently and returning back to university after 2 years of caring for my dad. I just got over my symptoms a couple of weeks ago, and now my left arm is beginning to become numb again and I am scared my symptoms will just keep progressing and I will have to make some major life changes. I am only 21 and my appointment with my MS specialist isn't for a couple of weeks so I would like to know what to expect and what is normal and how I should be dealing with all of this. Are there certain things I should be avoiding?

Hi Macdon
Unfortunately there is no normal in MS. It affects everyone differently. My advice, diagnosed 24+ years ago, is to stay as positive as possible and keep as fit as possible and try not to get too stressed. It may take some time to get the correct mindset but the old adage 'if you worry you die and if you don't worry you die, so why worry?' is true. That is the mindset to have. The main thing is not to let it get you down.

Gymbuff

hi mcdon and welcome. i was dxd while at uni too. had a pretty bad diet at the time, even though i thought it was actually good :S

if you are interested in pursuing a nutritional approach or just learning a little about it, here is some intro reading:
regimens-f22/topic2489.html#p15460

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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

It takes about five years after diagnosis before the neurologist can make an educated guess as to what to expect for the next ten years.
I think the best thing you can do for your health would be anything that is stress-relieving. Being young is a factor in your favor because young people can sometimes bounce back better. I am sorry to hear about your dad passing.

Welcome to ThisIsMS, mcdon. Many people with MS have seen improvements with specialized diets. The story of Dr. Terry Wahls and her dramatic improvement is one such case: www.TerryWahls.com

You may find the Diet forum on this website interesting.

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My hypothesis: excess insulin (hyperinsulinemia) plays a major role in MS, as developed in my initial post: http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-discussion-f1/topic1878.html "Insulin – Could This Be the Key?"