Anyone else have Multiple Sclerosis?

[aquaryus]

Hello! I was searching through the threads and couldn't find anyone else with MS so I thought I would post here. I had my first round of optic neuritis when I was 23. For those who don't know, ON is caused by the demyelination of the optic nerve (that cool thing that tells your brain what your eyes are taking in!) When you have MS, these little cells that are constantly maintaining the myelin sheath around your nerves, oligodendrocytes, can go under attack by the other cells in your body that fight infection (T-cells). The myelin sheat then deteriorates, parts or all of your vision are gone, and hopefully, it will return in a few weeks or months. I've had three exacerbations and got most of my vision back. My left eye got hit the hardest and I have a very slight 'cloudy' effect in that eye. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else out there has MS and how or if the diet affects it. I would think the excersize part would affect it more so than the diet... Brandy

[ValidRouge]

Re: Anyone else have Multiple Sclerosis?

Hey Brandy, there are two others here that I know of, hopefully they'll pop in and say hi. My best friend has it. She's lost her sight in her left eye a couple years ago.

[bjs1976]

Re: Anyone else have Multiple Sclerosis?

Hello Brandy

I have MS. I also have suffered optic neuritis. I hop on the IV solumedrol wagon every time it flares .. I do not want to lose my vision.. Hence, is how I got here. Steroids have caused some serious weight gain issues fo rme. Never battled with my weight before steroids and MS.
I was alos 23 when diagnosed...

The diet has helped rather then hurt. ONE- weight loss help mobility TWO- the extra protein whick I never got before helps ALOT with the severe spaticity I suffer. I am off almost all muscle relaxants now!!!

The excersise-- as I can tolerate it is oen of the best things to do for one with MS in my opion. You need to keep yourself strong. I do PT 2-3 time a week. We focus on my leg strength and muscle spasms.

[aquaryus]

Re: Anyone else have Multiple Sclerosis?

Hey, bjs1976! I was worried that the diet might affect the MS in a bad way. I've been low carbing for a little over a month and nothing changed. The only problem I am having is with my right leg. When I walk, it sometimes feels like it's going out on me and I get pins and needles. This might also be from a pinched nerve. I can feel a twinge in my lower back, so I'm hoping a trip to the chiropracter might help that. One more question for you.. Are you on Copaxone or any other injection? If so, do they cause you to gain weight or increase your cravings? I haven't started my therapy yet, but I want to be prepared.

[bjs1976]

Re: Anyone else have Multiple Sclerosis?

I took Avonex for one year and Copaxone for 3. None of them caused weight gain, per se. I took anti depressants with the Avonex, due to the increase risk of suicide with interferons. That I think may have caused some weight gain.

Solumedrol, 1g/day for 5 days. THAT makes me gain weight.. But, with optic neuritis, I do not want to mess with my vision, so first sign I do the solumedrol. I have 20/20 vision today. I have been close to blind in one eye. So, if I had to weigh it out, I would rather be overweight and ha ve sight then be skinny and blind.... JMHO!!!

But I finally seem to be geting the weight off with this diet, and hope if I have to do the roids again in future, this will help keep it off..

Best of luck to you... Take care of your body, rest when you need to. It is all overwhelming to start with, but it gets easier. Just some life stlye adjustments, some big ones, and all will be well.

It took me awhile to be ok with it all, and that is expected.

Losing the weight will be a huge benfit in the end.. Best of luck to you, and your health..