Embracing Life with Multiple Sclerosis: From Diagnosis to Empowerment

What Happened When You Were Diagnosed?

When you were diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), how did you respond? How did others react? That moment likely changed who you were, didn’t it? Did your anxiety increase? Did you start to doubt yourself? Panic about the future? Worry about your job, getting married, having babies, or what your friends would think?

As a healthcare provider who counsels people daily and navigates my own life with MS, I get it. Now, let’s move beyond it.

You are still the magnificent person you were before you were put in the MS box. So, let’s get on with living beyond Multiple Sclerosis.

Your New Life Mission: Climb Out of the MS Box!

The reality is that everything about MS has changed. And that’s exciting! When we all tap into that, life with MS can change for everybody.

What Has Changed?

As a Naturopathic Doctor, much of this knowledge has been understood for a long time. Now, science has come full circle, and that’s exciting! If your neurologist isn’t as excited, don’t hold it against them. It takes time for cutting-edge science to be integrated into the current medical model.

Changes in Science That Make Living Beyond Multiple Sclerosis Possible

Here are some groundbreaking developments:

• Supercharged Food Science: Nutrition is now recognized as a first-line therapy for MS. Anti-inflammatory diets and nutrient-dense foods are central to managing symptoms and promoting overall health.
• Immune-Mediated vs. Autoimmune: MS is increasingly referred to as “immune-mediated” rather than autoimmune. This subtle shift underscores a more nuanced understanding of the immune system’s role, making it more manageable.
• Neurogenesis and Neuroplasticity: New brain science reveals that our brains can create new cells (neurogenesis) and change (neuroplasticity). This opens up exciting possibilities for healing and improving brain function.
• Glymphatic System: This system clears away neurotoxic debris during sleep, which is crucial for those struggling with cognitive issues, especially if they are worse in the morning.
• Epigenetics: Your diet, lifestyle, exercise, and even your thoughts and beliefs can influence gene expression in key areas underlying MS—like inflammation, mitochondrial function, methylation, microbiome health, etc. This means you have significant control over your health outcomes.
• Mind-Body Connection: Science has reunited the mind and body, validating the impact of thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs on physical health. Mind-Body medicine is now recognized as a powerful tool for transforming life with MS.

These significant advancements make living beyond Multiple Sclerosis not just a possibility but a reality!

Changing Your Optics

So how do you get on the other side of the MS horror show? Change the optics.

People think I’m nuts when I say this is an exciting time to be diagnosed with MS. But it is! When I was diagnosed in 1985, it was a pity-party. Thankfully, my neurologist, Dr. George Ebers, didn’t push me down that rabbit hole, and neither did my family.

Life may change for you—it already has. You have a new awareness called MS. Accepting this diagnosis is real is a good place to start. Acceptance allows you to embrace the power and possibility to build a lifestyle supporting positive change. Put together an amazing support team and let MS fade into the background. I call it Transforming Life with MS and living beyond Multiple Sclerosis, and I see people do it all the time. You can too.

Address Your Fears First

Acknowledge, honor, and let go of your fears. They will likely return, but the more you release their grip, the easier it will become. Essentially, you are retraining your brain!

Exercise to combat fear: “And Then What?”

Start with one of those nagging fears. Bring it into your consciousness and ask yourself, “And then what?” Continue with every answer until you can’t ask anymore. This powerful exercise helps unpack and disarm your fears, reducing their hold on you.

Embrace Your Magnificence

Live your best life, dream big, and be the change you want to see. Here’s a new one from me:

Let MS be a PART of your world, but not ALL of your world.

Despite everything, recognize your magnificence and lead with that. Examine your thoughts, patterns, and beliefs—they may be limiting and not entirely yours. Replace them with your own.

Instead of googling supplements for Multiple Sclerosis, google mindset-reset tools. This is where living beyond MS really begins. Look for energy psychology, neuroplasticity exercises, self-compassion, emotional freedom technique, mindfulness, meditation, and MS. Remember, mindset-reset is key.

Transforming Your Life with MS

When I think of what the “experts” told me in 1985, I could have crawled under a rock. But I didn’t. I defied every horrible prediction they made for me. Now, it’s a whole new world for those of us diagnosed and living with MS, no matter how long or advanced your condition is.

Does that mean MS will magically go away? Nope. But you will understand yourself, your health, and that living life—participating, having fun—doesn’t have to be the perfection modeled for us in media. Then you are living beyond the diagnosis.

The Four Cornerstones of Healing for MS

Now, time to roll up your sleeves and remember my Four Cornerstones of Healing for MS:

1. Nutrition: Emphasize anti-inflammatory foods, reduce processed foods, and consider personalized nutrition plans.
2. Movement: Incorporate regular physical activity that you enjoy, such as yoga, walking, swimming, cycling, or weightlifting. Movement helps with flexibility, strength, and overall well-being.
3. Mind-Body Techniques:Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and visualization can reduce stress and improve mental clarity. These techniques create a positive feedback loop, enhancing both mental and physical health.
4. Community and Support: Build a network of supportive friends, family, and healthcare providers. A community of people who understand what you’re going through provides invaluable emotional support and practical advice.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Embrace the new science, tap into the power of your mind and body connection, and build a life that allows you to transform your MS and truly thrive beyond the diagnosis.