Here’s our story. It’s been almost a year since my darling 43 year old husband told me he felt really lousy. Numbness and tingling up and down his left side, sore legs, painful feet. Strange urgent bladder issues. One day, we went for our usual walk with the dog, and he was limping. We turned around and went home.
I figured it was a pinched nerve, and put him in our hot tub spa. You can guess what happened. Heat exacerbated his symptoms, he felt horrible. Three weeks, several massages, more time in the hot tub, stretching and praying, and he finally went to the doctor. My husband rarely saw the doctor...he was never sick, and was able to deal with most colds, flues and pains on his own. Not this time.
The doc ordered the MRI...and within hours we were sitting in her office getting the MS diagnosis. We were in shock, but committed to face this together. She sent us to a neurologist who confirmed it all with a lumbar puncture. He had over 20 lesions on brain and one on cervical spine, a few were enhancing. His neuro was amazed that this was the first time he’d had a flare...since he’d apparently had MS for awhile. I am thankful the hot tub got him to see a doctor. My husband had IV steroids and taper, and the numbness, tingling and sore feet were gone. He was left with painful leg spasms, major fatigue, and occasional bladder issues. These are still an issue, but we’re finding ways to help him.
Meds: Hubby’s on Copaxone, Provigil for fatigue, baclofen at night for spasms. He was previously on Effexor for depression and anxiety (we think this was the beginning sign of his MS) and this prescription was upped from 75mg to 150mg.
Thank God, he is doing well. He hasn’t had any progression in disability or relapse since his original attack. He hates the fatigue, but the Provigil has helped. Jimmylegs suggested I find a magnesium supplement to help him sleep thru his spasms.
Some background on me- I’m a true believer in better health thru diet and exercise. When my five year old son was diagnosed ADHD, I refused the ritalin prescriptions and gave him Omega 3 oil and flaxseed. Within weeks, he was a happier, calmer and more focused child. Now 13, he is an honor student and wonderful kid. I personally have healed from bulging disks and bone spurs in my neck with MSM, omega 3, yoga and chiropractic care. When the doc said I needed surgery, I got serious about my health. Now my hubby’s serious, too.
I began a quest to make my husband healthy. Not that I can "cure" his MS, but I can help his immune system fight this crazy disease. And maybe, just maybe, he can heal himself. Our faith has been essential in this journey, and we both believe in miracles. I know my husband’s attitude has helped immensely.
When we first saw the neurologist, I noticed under the fluorescent lighting my husband looked yellow...he was jaundiced! His liver enzymes came back 10x higher than normal. The neurologist assumed it was alcohol...but hubby doesn’t drink. I got milk thistle, and the enzymes resolved themselves in a month. The neuro was incredulous, but I knew that my husband’s entire body was toxic. I’ve since read that high liver enzymes are common in Msers, even before interferon treatment. My husband needed a detox program. This included liver cleansing, probiotics and healing his digestive system. He’s now a “regular” guy (movements everyday) and is no longer toxic looking.
What follows are the nutritional supplements my husband takes everyday. He takes his meds in the morning, and his supplements at dinner time. I make him up a baggy packet, so that he can take these on business trips, or out to dinner. I order them from an on line vitamin company. This site and others have been hugely helpful. I also spoke with holistic doctors and my local natural health store buddy. His neurologist has recommended some, as well, and she’s looked over this list and approved for my husband.
alpha lipoic acid 600 mg. -(anti oxidant)
Co-Q 10 200 mg. -(energy enhancing nutrient)
DHEA 50 mg.- (hormone secreted by adrenal gland)
N-acetyl cysteine 1200 mg. (antioxidant, cell detoxifier)
vitamin D-3 2,000 iu- we all know about D!
b-12 sublingual 2000mcg- (husband had low levels, but we’ve recently lowered his dosage, since his serum levels are high now)
inosine 1 mg -(raises uric acid levels, peroxynitrite scavenger -husband had low levels, now normal)
cod liver oil 2,200mg.
DHA 600mg. omega 3
DHA plant source microalgea 200mg.
Flaxseed oil 1000 mg
longevatrol polyphenol complex 200mg. (red wine polyphenol-antioxidant)
Alive! multivitamin - ( mega green nutrients)
milk thistle 600mg. (liver cleansing)
garlic 540 mg.- (antifungal, helps digestive issues)
ginkgold 60 mg. - (brain function)
curcumin 500 mg- (brain function).
wild blueberry oomplex 1400 mg. -(anti-inflammatory, antioxidant)
Jarro-dophilus probiotic 2 capsules daily
MSM 1,000 mg -organo-sulfer, helps muscle spasms
evenings before sleep-
Natural Calm magnesium- 600mg.
(calms spasms and aids regularity)
Diet changes:
Our whole family has benefitted from “Dad’s MS diet”- a modified-Swank diet.
We now eat organic and low fat. No processed foods. No artificial sweeteners. No red meat. Less dairy (still some cheese or mayo) No white flour or sugar (except the holidays were less restricted) More fish, whole grains, legumes and beans. Snacks of walnut and blueberries (both anti-inflammatory) and iced green tea.
Husband has lost a couple pounds, and moved the belt one notch over. My weight’s the same, but I feel healthier. My son complains some days, but he’s usually happy with our meals, and he still gets snacks, ice cream, etc. on his own. C’mon! He’s a teenager
All in all, I feel good about my husband’s prognosis. I know that we are only in the beginning of this journey, but we’ll continue to battle his MS on all fronts. I’ll update after MRI in March and next neuro apt.
Best,
the Aging Cheerleader
Actually the relapse has revived my interest in the viral cause of MS since if you have an acute infection of Epstein Barr then you can develop autoantibodies to superoxide dismutase which might explain why people with ms have virtually no superoxide dismutase in their cerebro-spinal fluid. I can send you research on this if you like but it's in pdf format which I paid for so can't post it on the web. Anyhow I really liked the glisodin initially especially it's smell so I think my body is craving it but am going to spend some time on anti-virals first.