This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Hello, everyone! My name is Brandy, I'm 29 years old and I have been living with MS for about 7 years. I'm an avid World of Warcraft player, I love gardening, cooking and nature. I don't have nor want children; I have a kitty named Bud who lives with my boyfriend and I and I work as a pharmacy help desk rep for a major pharmacy chain and I have a PT job.

My first sign of MS was ON and numbness in my feet. I currently take Copaxone.. sometimes.. and lots of vitamins.. I've recently become more rebellious against the pharmaceutical approach to treating my MS and I am looking into natural/homeopathic/alternative therapies. This is how I found this forum. On another forum I was on, it seemed that the moderators were all gung ho about pharmaceuticals and poo poo'd any mention of alternative treatments. That kinda ticked me off, because, simply put, no one knows jack about MS except that it attacks your nerves. I try not to roam with the flock..

Anyway, with the exception of a few slices of pizza and 3 cups of soda this week, I've tweaked my diet to be as natural as I can tolerate. I even eat fruit baby food when I am craving sweets, or dried cranberries instead of eatting candy. I'm slowly removing corn syrup from my diet and doing light excerise for my arms and legs.

I also take B12, for my fatigue, Selenium w/ vitamin E, Flaxseed oil Vitamin D, Potassium and Niacin. While I've only been doing this a short time, I do feel better. I'm hoping to have all my alagam fillings removed as well. (I know.. they're SAFE, they're SAFE!... riiight.. I'll take my chances..

I hope I don't seem like too much of a freak.. I just want to mingle with more open minded people who also have or know someone with MS..

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!! I'm already glad to be here!

Brandy in York Haven, PA

Brandy- Hey there! I live in FL, but was born in PA! I am spending Thanksgiving there! I too have recently stopped conventional therapies for reasons as diverse as the medicines themselves. The Ritalin doesn't work anymore, so this B12 thing? My current neuro ( Yay! He's retiring in Dec!!!) is against anything homeopathic! Welcome as I just joined too!
Kelli P.S. I typically DO go with the flow!!

Welcome Brandy,

You don't seem like a freak at all. You've come to the realization alot of us have that diet and exercise are about the only choices we have in terms of therapy that will make us feel better in the here and now. I'm not going to knock anyone's decision to take the pharma drugs offered now, but they sure made me feel like crap. They may have been delaying relapses, but at what cost? I think that is a totally personal decision to weigh present quality of life vs. possible progression delay. In other words, don't feel like a freak for not taking every smiling face on a mountain bike ad for Rebif or Avonex at face value!

Hello Brandy,
Welcome to the site. I'm sure you'll find this is a good place to be to find a variety of informed approaches to MS. Lots of people here have their own regimens and you won't get any sneering if you choose something less conventional – mainly, I think, because we are all very well aware that no one has yet come up with a definitive answer about exactly what MS is, (although I think the answers are on their way), and so long as you are not doing yourself any harm almost anything is worth a try. Actually, on that point, I'd just like to make sure that your dentist is experienced at removing fillings because as I understand it, if you're worried about mercury poisoning the removal process can release more into your system unless it's very carefully done. Good luck!