About 15 years ago, I was having lots of weird physical problems -- including severe L'hermittes. I decided if I was going to have to drag that leg around anyway, I should make it easier for myself. I changed my diet to healthy foods and developed my own strenuous, daily exercise program.
By the time of my surprise MS dx 3 years ago, I had lost weight and felt healthier than I had in years -- obviously much healthier than those around me. We figure I've had MS for over 30 years.
So I continue my exercise program -- of my brain, body, and, most important, my sense of humor. Even though I have a few issues with balance and slight footdrop causing me to use a cane for distance, I'm so strong I can still pick up my cane and run up and down stairs at work.
I keep saying that I'd get a walker, but I don't know how I'd carry it up the stairs.
Last week my younger co-worker barely made it up to the third floor with me for a meeting. She had to take the elevator back down.
The L'hermitte's went away with the exercise, and I've improved my finger tremor by squeezing a little exercise ball twice a day. I have so many other medical problems, we don't even know if the footdrop and tremor are due to MS anyway.
I've never taken any meds for MS or MS symptoms (except a year on LDN -- LONG story...). My last neuro was furious that I was doing so well in spite of her, so she fired me as a patient.
When I discovered MS forums, I was shocked at how many posts were admonishing patients who asked about exercise, "Don't overdo it!" I'd just spent the last 30 years thriving by doing practically the opposite of all the accepted wisdom about MS.
I started to second guess myself at first by following the MS hints I read and my mobility began to drop. Now I've decided to go back to the routine I had developed that made me feel so good. I think I'm really limber and healthy considering how old and sick I am.
I have a full-time job, own a small business, take college classes, and tend to sick family members. None of my body parts work exactly right, but they all work. I have to credit exercise for a big part of my success in putting off disability for so long.
Exercise can help with fatigue, depression, and has been shown to have immunomodulating effects as well. I recommend it for everyone, with or without MS.