Top Seven MS Myths

MS Myths have the potential to completely derail someone by setting false expectations.  In my experience, the following are the most common MS myths that are being shared throughout our communities today.  If we are going to take charge of our health and our lives, it is important that we do not buy into these MS myths.  We must protect our thoughts and create our beliefs based on truth because the first step in recovering and living a healthy, productive life is believing in what is possible and not believing in ideas that will limit you.  MS Myths are simply someone else’s ideas, and certainly not factual.

I have personally been able to defy these common MS myths and so can you!

MS Myths #1 – YOU DON’T LOOK SICK:

If you look healthy on the outside, you walk normal, your skin looks normal, your face appears normal – some may think that you’re not sick and that you just complain all the time. Some may even think that you are faking symptoms for sympathy, or that you are lazy and seeking support! Not true. MS is notorious for wreaking havoc on the body all internally, starting from the top of your head to the tips of your toes – again, all unnoticeable on the outside, but all very apparent to the sufferer with MS…MS can be called the most silent or invisible disability because of this. With this common misconception, people are hurt over and over. The best we can do is share information so we can change this once and for all.

MS Myths #2 – YOU CAN DIE FROM MS:

Historically, people don’t die from MS. Most people with MS will live just as long as anybody else. Sometimes people who are very badly affected get more infections or pick up other illnesses more easily than healthy people because of their compromised immune systems, and they can die from these complications. What I’ve found to be an overriding factor is that some people can die from side effects of the DMD’s, but again, MS itself does not kill. I’ve known people who got MRSA and died while being hospitalized for MS treatment, does that mean they died from MS or did they die of MRSA? So the best advice I can give you is to understand you can live just as long as anyone else and start living your life. Focus on ways to heal and repair your body naturally.

MS Myths #3 – YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE CHILDREN:

A woman with MS is less likely to have a relapse during pregnancy, (I myself had some of my healthiest times while I was pregnant.) Although the risk of relapse does increase in the six months after the birth – usually due to the trauma of birth on your body. (I did have a relapse after my first child – loss of sensation and muscle control of my arms, and specifically my hands), but Pregnancy has no long-term effect on MS and you are no more likely to experience miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects or infant death than anyone else.

It’s important to note that in my second pregnancy I was only using holistic and alternative therapies to heal and I was healthy and strong throughout the pregnancy, even after my sons birth – no relapse, symptoms, or any negative reaction from MS.

MS Myths #4 – YOU CANNOT WORK WITH MS:

MS is different for each person. Every person experiences different symptoms at different times and the impact of the symptoms on your working life will very much depend on the type of work, your condition and your own personal experience of MS. Some people might tell you to stop working right away upon your diagnosis, but I believe as long as you can work, if it’s not too stressful, you should continue. (You know the whole idea of a body in motion stays in motion!) Many people with MS never experience symptoms even severe enough to stop working.

MS Myths #5 – MS ISN’T A PHYSICALLY PAINFUL CONDITION:

MS patients do experience significant pain which may be acute or chronic at some point in the course of their disease. With the symptoms changing and varying so much from person to person, month to month, day today, it’s impossible to diagnosis or determine the levels of pain at any given time.

MS Myths #6 – I CAN’T EXERCISE WITH MS:

Exercise is helpful in managing many MS symptoms in addition to being essential to general health and well-being.  Patients who participate in an aerobic exercise program have better cardiovascular fitness, improved strength, better bladder and bowel function, less fatigue and depression, a more positive attitude, and increased participation in social activities. Many studies have confirmed the benefits of exercise. I myself have done many forms of exercise – lifting weights, Pilates, aerobic activity.

Inactivity in people with or without MS can result in numerous risk factors; it can lead to weakness of muscles, cardiovascular disease, decreased bone density with an increased risk of fractures, and shallow, inefficient breathing. You have to think about it again, as a body in motion stays in motion. When you slow down or are inactive it will greatly affect your health.

An exercise program needs to be appropriate to the capabilities and limitations of each person. You know your body and you should always pay attention to how you are feeling and what you are experiencing. Your activities may need to be adjusted as changes occur in your MS symptoms. Any person with MS who is initiating a new exercise program should also consult with his or her physician before starting.

And…last but not least….

MS Myths #7 – “WE” WILL HAVE A CURE IN 5 YEARS:

Although “WE” may be very hopeful that this will happen in our or my lifetime, that the medical community will come up with our cure.  I would say honestly, DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH. (I was told in 1988) by my pediatric neurologist, “Don’t worry, Kellie, there will be a cure for MS in 5 years) Yes, back in 1988 – and I am asking everyone to think about this realistically, are we any closer to a cure now in 2018 as we were back then with traditional MS protocols?  Although this may be disheartening or not well received, my answer is a resounding “NO”!!! You can do your own research and I would love your feedback on this. What we do have is a plethora of disease-modifying drugs that can have worse side effects than MS, nothing given to us for healing or repair.

MS Myths #7 is exactly the reason we need to take 100% responsibility for our own health. I know when I decided to take this disease head-on and focus on holistic and alternative therapies to heal, it changed my life and the course of my disease forever. Now, I am healthy, strong and symptom-free. Please know there is HOPE for you!

If you want to learn about my almost 3o year journey living with and beating MS,- Check out my book “Waking Up From MS, My Journey to Health, Healing and Living Symptom Free.

To Our Health!

Kellie Alderton 

If you want to learn more about natural, healthy CBD products visit:  www.successwithnewyou.com 

If you want to learn about the BEST CBD products to help you on your own journey with MS visit: www.successwithnewyou.com 

You can also follow me on twitter @kelliealderton or my FB page Waking Up From MS where I share insights and information for everyone dealing with MS.

You can also listen to my radio show on http://msandme.airtime.pro – “Live in Hope, Focus on Healing” – every Sunday at 3:30pm, Est or on YouTube – http://bit.ly/2Fe0NuN

 BABY, It’s Cold Outside!!!!

Can any extreme temperatures cause an MS flare-up? I’m not sure where you’re located, but we’re now in fall but it feels like winter mode for me here in Chicago. That means hat, gloves, scarves, ear muffs, snow pants, boots, you know, anything to beat the extreme cold. “BRRRR, I’m Freezing,” seems to be my go-to words for the past month and will continue until April. For anyone that knows me, Yes, comparisons of Chicago and Antarctica are definitely on my mind!

Were you one of the millions of MS sufferers who were counting down the days for cooler weather?  Me too! Yes, heat and humidity can be very disruptive and cause minor, temporary flare-ups of our MS symptoms during the summer months, but did you know some people also have challenges during the winter months? It’s less common, but still can affect those of us with MS? And here’s another fact, unfortunately some people are affected by both hot and cold. If this is you, I’m sorry that you’re not getting a reprieve.

Many people report worsening of symptoms just as much in the coldest part of winter as they do in the hottest months of summer!  You might be wondering since we can use ice, cold showers, cold compresses or cooling vests to cool down during the summer, why would the cold negatively affect us now, why is this different? The truth is that any drastic changes in temperature either hot or cold can have a negative impact on MS sufferers.

 Things you may experience due to the Cold:

• Fatigue
• Spasms
• Joint and muscle pain
• Muscle stiffness
• Balance issues
• Numbness and tingling
• Depression

The good news is, just like in summer months, there are things we can do to protect ourselves against the cold.

Make sure your house is properly insulated, check around doors and windows for any pesky drafts, there are plenty of low-cost ways to seal them.  While you’re in, you can use a heating pad, blankets, extra clothing. Some people find warm showers or baths may relieve some of the stiffness, aches, and pains. (Be careful to not become overheated!) You can also warm up with a nice cup of soup, tea or coffee.

If you have to be out in the elements, try layering clothing to keep heat from escaping, protect your head and use hand or feet warmers. Also be sure to use any walking devices or aides to help you outside when your muscles can become stiff or slow to respond. Just like the summer months, it’s very important to stay hydrated, make sure to continue drinking enough water, people tend to think just because it’s cold outside you can’t become dehydrated. Dehydration can also cause or complicate many of the above symptoms.

As I’ve said before, our minds are extremely powerful and I’d like to say it’s as easy as thinking Warm thoughts of summer to beat the cold, but your best line of defense is to be prepared for the elements, listen to your body, and seek assistance if needed.  You can learn more about MS in All About MS and Resources section to help you on your journey! You can check out my new book “Waking Up From MS, My Journey to Health, Healing and Living Symptom Free. It details my almost 30 year journey living with and beating MS.

If you have found this article helpful please share. As always, I look forward to and appreciate your feedback!

To our health!

Kellie

If you want to learn more about natural, healthy CBD products visit:  www.successwithnewyou.com 

If you want to learn more about the BEST CBD products to help you on your own journey with MS visit: www.successwithnewyou.com 

You can also follow me on twitter @kelliealderton or my FB page Waking Up From MS where I share insights and information for everyone dealing with MS.

You can also listen to my radio show on http://radio.msgsn.com/ – “Live in Hope, Focus on Healing” – every Sunday at 3:30pm, est

Hydrogen Rich Water!

When I was first introduced to Hydrogen-rich Water (HRW) and possible benefits to MS sufferers, I thought it seemed too simple, but I was definitely intrigued and a bit skeptical.  I’ve been dealing with Multiple Sclerosis now for almost 30 years. If you want to learn more about my journey living with and beating MS, check out my MS Story or my new book “Waking Up From MS – My Journey to Health, Healing, and Living Symptom-Free.”  Throughout the years I’ve heard of plenty of things that were supposed to help repair and heal the MS body that simply didn’t live up to the hype.

I believe Hydrogen-rich Water (HRW) is something different. It seems it can benefit everyone, not just MS sufferers, and there’s plenty of scientific research behind it. (For all the other skeptics out there.) When I questioned my holistic Dr’s about HRW they were all utilizing it and have been for many, many years. Also, We know we’re not drinking enough water these days and in many cases, the water we are drinking is toxic due to chemical contaminants and packaging. Dehydration is also so common its symptoms mimic many chronic disease symptoms, so we must be sure to drink the right water and plenty of it.

Hydrogen Rich Water and Multiple Sclerosis

Studies about Multiple Sclerosis and Hydrogen-rich water explored the effects of HRW on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model for MS.  The study showed reduced disease severity, central Nervous system infiltration, even demyelination when administered after the onset of the disease. The great thing about Hydrogen Water is that it’s easy to take, inexpensive and crosses the blood-brain barrier.

The Wide-Reaching Health Benefits of HRW

When I started to investigate HRW, I found that it’s being used or studied to treat many simple and even chronic conditions such as MS, Cancer, Atopic Dermatitis, Neurodegenerative Diseases – Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin resistance, Depression, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Metabolic Syndrome, Dehydration. It also aids in digestion, circulation, mental clarity, stabilizes cholesterol levels, workout/muscle recovery. Hydrogen-rich water can protect our cells, tissues, and mitochondria from oxidative damage. HRW has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-allergy, even anti-cancer effects.

Intracellular hydration is key to our good health.

Hydrogen-rich water can be attained through several sources – I use a product called H2 Fuel. Which electrically charges the water. It’s a portable and easy to use on-the-go system to get my hydrogen water each and every day. Some people use Hydrogen water pills or sticks.

Hydrogen-rich water can help fight inflammation and oxidative stress in our body which is essential for our long-term health and vitality. It’s something you should definitely investigate further and add to your healthy lifestyle.

To our health!

Kellie Alderton

If you want to learn more about natural, healthy CBD products visit:  www.successwithnewyou.com 

If you want to learn more about healthy living technologies, check out my products page at www.myvollara.com/kga

You can also follow me on twitter @kelliealderton or my FB page Waking Up From MS where I share insights and information for everyone dealing with MS.

*We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website.

http://www.jni-journal.com/article/S0165-5728(16)30042-X

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27138092

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5525017/

Massage Therapy Benefits for Multiple Sclerosis

Have you tried massage therapy for dealing with your Multiple Sclerosis?

In my book “Waking Up From MS – My Journey To Health, Healing, and Living Symptom Free – I have a chapter focused on “Creating The Best Body.” In that chapter I look at many different therapies to ensure our health and healing. In my almost 30 years of living with MS, I’ve turned to chiropractic care, acupuncture, mediation and mindfulness, exercise, and one of the most enjoyable treatments I’ve used is Massage Therapy. On this journey to heal my body from the devastating affects of MS, I have sought out many alternative and holistic treatments that could repair my body on the cellular level without drugs.  

The most common types of massage:

• Swedish Massage – This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you. (I prefer Swedish massage as I find it to be the most relaxing)
• Deep-tissue massage – This massage technique uses slower, more forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. I always hated the deep tissue massage, I’m all about relaxation!
• Sports Massage – This is similar to Swedish massage, but is geared toward people involved in sporting activities. This can be used to help prevent or treat injuries. Many people use it to prepare themselves for sporting events.
• Shiatsu – This massage technique uses fingers, hands, and elbows. This type of massage is used to stimulate different acupressure points throughout the body, it also helps with the flow of energy. No oil is used so people can remain fully clothed. (loose clothing is best)
• Reflexology –  This involves applying pressure to the hands, feet or ears to produce changes in areas that are connected to specific body parts and organs. Applying pressure to any of the reflex areas, will remove energy blockages and promote health, and healing in the related body parts and organs.
• Myofascial Release –  This technique involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue (trigger points) in the body to eliminate pain, loosen muscles, and restore range of motion.
• Raindrop Technique – The Raindrop is a technique developed by Gary Young, the founder of Young Living Essential Oils, which is an application of highly antimicrobial essential oils directly to the spine with effleurage (finger stroking) techniques to distribute healing energy throughout the body.

PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY

Massage Therapy has many physical benefits. It will boost your immune system, calm the nervous system, lower blood pressure, slow respiration, reduce chronic pain, loosen tight muscles, stretch connective tissue, increase red blood cell count, improve muscle tone, speed-up recovery from injury, reduce tension headaches, increase tissue metabolism, decrease muscle deterioration, speed recovery from illness, increase range of motion, speed elimination of metabolic waste, increase blood and lymph circulation, stimulate release of endorphins, reduce swelling, improve posture, and improve skin tone.

MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY

Massage Therapy has many mental and emotional benefits. It will reduce stress, improve sleep quality, improve productivity, induce mental relaxation, improve concentration, reduce anxiety, enhance self-image, provide a sense of well-being and nurture emotional growth. This is something that all MS sufferers must be mindful of as our mental and emotional health goes hand in hand, many times, with our disease activity.  

I absolutely love Myofascial Release in tandem with a Swedish massage. I recommend getting massage therapy at least twice a month. I noticed benefits from my massage therapy right away. It gave me a sense of calm and peace, but at the same time it’s invigorating since it helps circulation and blood flow throughout the body. Remember, on this journey with MS we must stay focused on healing, repairing, and restoring our bodies. Anything we can do that will lessen inflammation and help build our immune system will have lasting affects.

Massage Therapy gives physical, mental, and emotional benefits. As you see from the list above, you have many different massage therapy options and your massage therapist can help find the one that’s right for you and also help you deal with whatever health challenges that come up due to your MS. Check out my MS Resources page to learn more about important health related information.

I always say, our mind, body and spirits are connected and we must focus on each of those areas to take back our health. We have plenty of tools and resources to help us on our journey. Massage Therapy is one way to get you on the path to health and healing.

To Our health!

Kellie Alderton

#wakingupfromms

If you want to learn more about healthy living and green technologies, check out my products page at www.myvollara.com/kga

You can also follow me on twitter @kelliealderton or my FB page Waking Up From MS where I share insights and information for everyone dealing with MS.

 Mindfulness and MS

Mindfulness was something first introduced to me while I was studying under my mentor, New York Times Best Selling Author, America’s #1 Success Coach, Jack Canfield. He taught me how to live my life with purpose, passion, clarity and to be mindful of everything around me. It was life changing for me and my journey with MS.

When I was studying personal growth/leadership development I wasn’t doing it hoping to find a way to help my MS. I was doing it for my own growth.  At that time I didn’t understand the concept that the mind, body, and spirit are connected and if we want to heal our bodies from MS, we must focus on each of those areas to be successful. I started to wonder if mindfulness could help others in their journey with MS, too.

Many people with MS suffer from depression, fear, anxiety, insomnia, pain, and overwhelming stress. Each of these issues can be devastating to our health.

For years I’ve been searching for alternative ways for us to deal with each of those issues. When I say “alternatives,” I mean alternatives to drug therapy, which is what most MS Dr’s present to us immediately. It can end up meaning a medicine cabinet full of prescriptions that can actually make things worse.

Are there different ways to practice mindfulness?

1 – Being mindful – Going through your everyday functions and being present, engaged, aware and calm.

When I practice mindfulness throughout the day, it means being aware and grateful for everything – The sun, the rain, family, friends, my dogs, good things that happened in my day and even the challenges, too. It’s all about having the right perspective in any given situation good or bad and responding in a healthy, more positive way. I also do affirmations and journaling which keeps me focused on thinking the right way, which is so important, not only for all of us living with MS, but just in daily life.

2 – Mindful meditation – Meditation where you can focus on areas of the body in pain and releasing or separating yourself from that pain. You can focus on specific parts of the body and visualize it’s repair and healing (I have several MS friends that visualize their Myelin being restored over nerve endings throughout their body or picturing their MRI’s with less lesions). It can also be something as simple as deep breathing and just being in that moment of meditation.

The great thing about being mindful and mindfulness meditation is that everyone can do it and it can have lasting health benefits to us. In studies people that practiced mindfulness had an improved quality of life, and more positive and hopeful expectations.  It also took away pain, stress, anxiety, depression and fear. Some hospitals now prescribe mindfulness meditation for patients dealing with pain. Check out MS & The Mind to learn more about its affects on our MS.

When you learn to practice mindfulness, you will have better coping strategies in stressful situations. We know stress can cause us to have an exacerbation or even cause new lesions, so we must do everything to ensure we are living stress free as much as possible.

Remember, our mind, body, and spirits are connected and we must focus on each area for healing.  Mindfulness can be a very powerful way to start on our journey to health and healing!

For inspiration and great ideas on healthy living with MS, check out my new book “Waking Up From MS – My Journey to Health, Healing, and Living Symptom Free”  – It explores my almost 30 year journey living with MS and how I am now living symptom free, healthy, and thriving.

Kellie Alderton

If you want to learn more about healthy living and green technologies, check out my products page at www.myvollara.com/kga

You can also follow me on twitter @kelliealderton or my FB page Waking Up From MS where I share insights and information for everyone dealing with MS.

Acupuncture and MS

In my new book “Waking Up From MS – My Journey to Health, Healing, and Living Symptom Free” I focus on treating the body as a whole and the mind, body, spirit connection to healing. I have a chapter dedicated to “Creating the Best Body” while living with MS. I believe acupuncture is an important part of that process.

The MS Society describes acupuncture as one form of traditional Chinese medicine. It’s based on a theory about body functioning that involves the flow of energy known as qi (“chee”) through fourteen pathways called meridians throughout the body. Acupuncture involves stimulating specific locations on the skin, usually by inserting thin, disposable metallic needles into points along the meridians in the body in order to alter the flow of energy. According to the theories of Chinese medicine, disease results from an imbalance or disruption in the flow of energy between the opposing forces of yin and yang.

I looked into acupuncture while I was receiving chiropractic care, and I learned that acupuncture can stimulate and balance the body and immune system.

Acupuncture is considered an alternative therapy for dealing with MS

Now, I do need to state that all of my MS doctors told me to avoid chiropractic care, acupuncture, and even supplements; they said they would stimulate my immune system. I asked the doctors – How can I ever be healthy if I’m constantly suppressing my immune system, which is the theory behind traditional MS protocols? They had no answer. If I had followed their protocols, I would still be sick, having frequent relapses.

When you look at the human body certain things make sense. Doing everything to repair the immune system is what I started to focus on. I’ve always believed that once your immune system is healthy and functioning properly, it’s healed, and I could be healed too.

According to the National MS Society, many MS sufferers use acupuncture for the relief of pain, muscle spasms, numbness, tingling, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and bowel and bladder symptoms. It can also help regulate our immune system, provide mental clarity, stress release, and improve our overall quality of life.

Some people may notice immediate, positive results from acupuncture while others may notice symptoms or issues worsen a bit after, this means for some people that your body is going into “healing mode” and things may get a bit worse before they get better. I believe it’s important to stay consistent with all treatments and things will most likely subside. Now, I know in my own experience that the times I felt a little pain was when I was having the most health challenges.

The benefits you can receive from acupuncture are amazing, and that is the one thing I turned to in the beginning of my journey to start the process of healing.  I did acupuncture for many years to help my body get into alignment and in sync, and I use it today to keep my body that way. I believe acupuncture helps our mind, body, and spirit through each course of treatment and I believe it was a catalyst in me now living symptom free.

Acupuncture can relieve many of our MS symptoms

In studies, scalp acupuncture was used on MS patients suffering from: stabbing and burning pains, paralysis, dizziness and vertigo. The Southwest Rehabilitation Hospital and National Healthcare Center in Albuquerque, N.M.* did a study that used scalp acupuncture on 16 patients with limb pain. After only one treatment per patient, eight of the 16 patients instantly showed significant improvement (49 percent), six patients showed some improvement (38 percent), and only two patients showed no improvement (13 percent), thus yielding a total efficacy rate of 87 percent.

There are many different ways to use acupuncture to treat MS.  I’ve used acupuncture in my scalp and throughout the body. As I’ve been dealing with my MS now for almost 30 years, I have really focused on many different holistic and alternative therapies to aid in my healing. Just as one thing didn’t give us MS, there won’t be one specific thing that heals us.  My mantra – “A Healthy Immune System equals A Healthy Body.” So we need to do everything possible to help facilitate a healthy, properly functioning immune system. You can check out more information on health and healing under my MS Resources and Links.

We know acupuncture is an important part of our healing and I believe it is something you should thoroughly investigate.

I would love to hear your own stories about using acupuncture.

To our health!

Kellie Alderton  

You can learn all about my MS story and the reason I started this blog.

If you want to learn more about healthy living and green technologies, check out my products page at www.myvollara.com/kga

You can also follow me on twitter @kelliealderton or my FB page Waking Up From MS where I share insights and information for everyone dealing with MS.

 (*http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=31710)