This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hello,
I am 39, diagnosed in 2000 after MRI and spinal tap. Started with a severe headache for days then turned into issues on both sides of my body - legs, arms and torso. This lasted a couple of months. Prior to that I cannot recall anything that would indicated I had MS and there is no family history. I have always seen a naturopathic doctor and continue to do so. I chose not to go on Rebif (neurologist recommended at the time of diagnosis) and decided to continue alternative methods. I have been well for the most part. I had 2nd MRI 2 1/2 years ago at my request, there were a few new lessions but I had not had attacks and seemed to be ok. I don't know that my choices have been good or not by not having gone on any drugs? Who knows! I recognize these drugs have helped many people with MS. I take a lot of homeopathic remedies and vitamin supplements and try to eat well. Have been off dairy for 12 years. I know MS is different for everyone and we are all in various stages. Since 2000 I have experienced a few things, but nothing severe. But now I have had an attack in July in my legs and torso area - numbness and difficulty walking. Through acupuncture, massages, chiropractic, homeopath remedies and plenty of rest, I was 99% better after 3 weeks. Now 2 months later my upper body (arms) are numb and I am dropping things out of left hand. I am going to neorologist in November to see what options I need to explore. I have been lucky and doing well, but I now my MS appears to be taking another direction! Through my local MS capter, I was given a book last week called Up the creek with a paddle. I am very curious to learn more about LDN if anyone is using this and how it is working. I can't seem to much information that is more current than 2004. I am in Ontario Canada- it seems to be available in the US & UK. From what I have read so far, it seems to be working well and it may be worth exploring. I think at this point I need to open myself up to all options available! I am interested in hearing any information on this and any other advice anyone may have. Thanks

Welcome to the site Lisa, although I sympathize with the conditions which bring you here.

There are people here who have the experience you're looking for and share your interests, so I think you might have found the right place.

Not that the following snippets do you much good, but a search of pubmed shows a few things since 2004.
Bob

1:
Patel PN.
Related Articles, Links
No Abstract Low-dose naltrexone for treatment of multiple sclerosis: clinical trials are needed.
Ann Pharmacother. 2007 Sep;41(9):1549-50. Epub 2007 Jul 10. No abstract available.
PMID: 17623758 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2:
Good P.
Related Articles, Links
No Abstract Low-dose naltrexone for multiple sclerosis and autism: does its benefit reveal a common cause?
Med Hypotheses. 2006;67(3):671-2. Epub 2006 Jun 8. No abstract available.
PMID: 16759815 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
3:
Agrawal YP.
Related Articles, Links
Abstract Low dose naltrexone therapy in multiple sclerosis.
Med Hypotheses. 2005;64(4):721-4.
PMID: 15694688 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Thanks Bob,
I appreciate the information shared. I am happy to have discovered this great site!
Lisa

Hi Lisa,

Like you I have followed the natural approach, and chose not to take a CRAB. I was diagnosed in 2004, but am a bit older than you (now 43, almost 44). I did have some symptoms, particularly since the mid 1990s if not longer, so I think I've had it a long time. My luck is holding, I've had no relapses since diagnosis, just a few minor symptoms, but I knock on wood every time I say that.

I went off dairy, too, but I also eliminated gluten within a month of getting my diagnosis. I felt so much better, not just MS-wise but GI-wise, within about two weeks, and my general health improved immensely over what it had been in 2003-2004, prior to my MS diagnosis. If you are interested in dietary approaches and have not yet tried that one, it is worth a go. If after a few weeks it doesn't seem to help, you can always stop it, it is just avoidance of wheat, barley, rye, and oats (my understanding oats avoidance is recommended because of contamination with wheat from grain processing, not the oats itself.) Rice, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, etc. are non-gluten grains. You can check out gluten-free websites if interested, they are numerous.


The only other thing I can suggest from my own experience, aside from what you indicated you have already been doing, is some yoga, particularly the breathing exercises, as a calming, stress reduction technique. I don't follow my own advice on that one and find I'm carrying stress loads I didn't realize until I slowed down to take some deep breaths. And the whole MS thing is a constant worry, even when it is not flaring up,

Oh, one more thing, and this one might sound stupid, but make sure there is nothing wrong with your teeth or gums. The precipitating event prior to my having a neuro event that lead to my diagnosis in 2004 was a bad tooth abcess (and loads of stress).

Good luck, and may it just be a bad patch that passes off.

Another Lisa

Thanks Lisa, I am glad to hear you are doing well with your choices. I have read much about being glutton free. I will introduce this to my diet, as I have not yet. My sister has just done this and she feels great. She does not have MS. Ah yes, yoga! I have enjoyed it in the past and should revisit it! I am do for a dental check up! Thanks again for sharing. I hope with a few changes this bad patch will pass. Keep well.
Lisa