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

 

Heat, Heat and even more Heat!

Anyone with Multiple Sclerosis that hears that single word could have a streak of fear go through them and images of terror from memories of summers long ago.  Many people talk about getting out there in the heat and getting baked to a crisp in the sun.  Us MSers however have a very different stance on the heat!

In fact, many of us start in the winter months to prepare for the summer! Yep, you heard it, in the dead of winter, we can start preparing for our upcoming summer and the next heat wave.  We focus on making sure the air conditioner is in tip top shape, all window treatments are giving maximum protection from the elements, getting cooling vests, head protection, traveling to a cooler climate and anything else we can get our hands on that promises us the chance of staying cool.

Yes, it’s that real and that serious!

I myself am very aware of the heat.  Living with MS now for over 25 years, my MS Story may not be different than anyone else as heat intolerance was always the one thing that seemed to get me. My head use to feel like it was baking…literally from the inside out. So I understand first hand why this is one topic that we need to not only prepare for, but share the info so others do not have to suffer!

Things you may experience when you are suffering from Heat exposure:

1 – Dizziness

2 – Immediate fatigue – (Almost as if someone burst your energy bubble)

3 – Blurred Vision

4 – Shakiness or Tremors

5 – Numbness and that awful tingling sensation in limbs

6 – Decrease in your cognitive function (You knew you were smarter before you got into that sun, sauna or hot bath)

The very interesting fact about the heat and your Multiple Sclerosis is that yes, it can cause us to have symptoms that either appears or start to get worse during heat exposure. It does not cause any long term inflammation or lesions as happens when we have an exacerbation. Which is great news, but still we need to think about ways to stay cool and get over the immediate effects from the heat.

 

Some ways to beat the heat:

1 – Always have air conditioning.

2 – Cooling Products – You can Google it there are dozens to choose from. There are also things you can do too – soak a sponge in water, freeze and then put in a Ziploc freezer bag, this stays cool for a long time and is very inexpensive. Contact the MS society they have cooling programs in place too.

3 – Get into the swimming pool.

4 – Misting Fans.

5 – Stay hydrated by drinking cool beverages – of course, water is the best option. This will actually go to your core and immediately go to work on lowering your overall temperature.

6 – Keep covered when in the sun. By wearing a hat during summer it gave me more time to be outside before the heat would start to affect me.

7 – Eat foods that are cool – fruits, veggies, salads. Healthy icees made from real food, not stuff packed with sugar (that can also cause fatigue)

8 – If exercising in the summer workout later in the evening or earlier in the morning – making sure to stay hydrated.

 

I would like to say it’s as easy as thinking cool thoughts, but the best thing you can do to beat the heat is stay prepared at all times and really listen to your body! You can check out All About MS to learn more about this disease!

 

If you’ve found this article helpful please share! I look forward to your feedback!

We’re in this together! 

 

To Our Health!

Kellie

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.