This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hi Everyone,

I thought it would be interesting to know what those people who are well with ms/CIS do to to stay that way.

I mean are you taking any supplements? exercising? meds? diet? whatever.

I have had a CIS and waiting for an mri with contrast to most likely start on Avonex.
I'm well and symptom free thankfully but this is all very new.

Thanks

Elly

Elly I have been trying to eat better and exercise and am taking a few supplements.(Multi-vitamin, Fish Oil, Lechithin and Turmeric) I have also thought about adding some more supplements like Vitamin D. I'm also on Rebif and I have been trying to control my stress levels. I don't know how much of a difference this has made but I'm feeling pretty good right now so I'll continue what I'm doing. I think it's a good idea that you start positive changes now after your CIS. I wish that I hadn't waited until I was dxed. Good luck. Judie

I had my initial attack about 8 years before I had my second attack and was diagnosed with MS in 1999. My problems were undiagnosed at the time of my initial attack. My symptoms at the time of my first attack included numbness in my arm that went down my arm from my shoulder to my thumb and forefinger. These problems stuck around for about a month. After that, and for the next 8 years, I was fine and completely symptom free. I also made no changes to my diet or supplement regimen.

However, had I been diagnosed with a CIS MS attack, I feel that I could have prolonged the time to my second attack via my current dietary changes and supplement regimen. For example, I used to eat garlic nearly every day now I rarely touch the stuff. Garlic is known to increase the activity of cytotoxic t-lymphocytes. I also used to consume quite a bit of margarine and other foods with partially hydrogenated oils. I now avoid these all together. Trans fats are known to be proinflammatory. For supplements I now take about 5 grams of omega-3 fish oil per day. I also drink 3-5 cups of strongly brewed green tea every day. In addition, I take vitamin D3, natural vitamin E, vitamin C, r-lipoic acid, turmeric, cod liver oil, and ground flax seed.

I know that I can't go back in time to test my hypothesis, but I try to make the necessary changes that I feel will be effective for me, i.e., nearly all of the above changes had their beginnings with thorough searches of the published literature on PubMed. While I'm not entirely symptom free, e.g., I have neuropathic pain in my foot nearly every day and my balance isn't that great, I feel that my supplement regimen has been a contributing factor in slowing my progression. Now if I could only sleep and exercise more regularly.

Anyways, I should probably mention that I've been on Avonex for about the last 7 years. This has not been easy especially since I struggled with pretty bad side effects for about the first 1.5 years. Even so, I'm still positive about my choice to go on Avonex vs. the other ABC's which were available at the time knowing that I took the time to make an educated choice. Still, avoiding Avonex all together and having success with supplements and dietary changes would have been preferable. As someone newly diagnosed with MS, you may want to read George Jelinek's book Taking control of multiple sclerosis : natural and medical therapies to prevent its progression.

NHE

I had my first (and only) attack in December of '04. After a year on Avonex, I switched to supplements (cucurmin, Vit D, b-complex, al-car, NAC, glucosamine, fish oil, magnesium, calcium, probiotics), green tea (4 bags a day), and the occasional steriod pulse.

The most beneficial treatments I use is weightlifting and smoking grass (never at the same time.... okay once, but after that 45lb plate landed on my foot, I've kept the two separate).

Thanks for the replies,

It seems like you're all doing so well on your supplements.
Did any of you go to see someone about doses for each thing or do you just research it yourself and go from there?

Thanks

Elly