Managing through Holistic Medicine? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

noquitting4u · 06-07-2006, 01:10 PM

Hello everyone,

I'm new here and could really use some input. After a recent flareup, I'm scared, more tired, and am having more symptoms - especially at night when I try to sleep.

Although I have had a tentative diagnosis of MS for 3 years, silly me, I thought I could pretend not to be sick and I didn't need/want my neurologist (because I expected him to just write prescriptions) so I stayed away from him since those early days and just relied on vitamins - and I mean LOTS of vitamins - to help deal with my symptoms.

They help, but after this scary flare-up, I'm craving answers/directions/fellow travelers and I'm wondering if someone, anyone has used vitamins, supplements, and alternative therapies as their primary resource - and avoided prescriptions for awhile or at all.

Thoughts?

sunshine149 · 06-07-2006, 06:43 PM

hi,
i have had MS for 9.5 years. i am not on any western treatments for the disease i.e CRABs drugs. i have a very long and detailed reason for not choosing to go on these treatments, which i'll spare you since that wasn't your question!

i have been treating my symptoms with a variety of non western approaches, the most prevalant being traditional Chinese medicine. this has entailed both herbal therapy and acupuncture. i have had good results. i've treated two bouts of optical neuritis with herbs and acupuncture. i have gotten rid of neuropthy with acupuncture. i have stabilized by digestion with herbs. i now have minial fatigue whereas before fatigue consumed me.

i have also recently started what is basically referred to as the S**** diet. i have been doing it for three months. it's interesting that when i had a dietary workup with a tradtional chinese medicine practioner, it matched the S**** diet exactly except for the fact that it limited certin fruits and vegetables and the S**** diet does not.

as far as my "health" goes... i am very active. i work full time, clean and maintain a big house, have a pet, write screenplays and i am directing a play this summer. i do not require any walking aids, on the contrary, i walk 2 miles 3-4 times per week and do light weight training. i have my good days and my bad days with MS. i try to listen to my body. i know it sounds silly. before i had to contend with MS, i had no idea what that statement meant.

LaLady · 06-07-2006, 09:36 PM

The national MS Society has some interesting information about Alternative and Complementary treatments. You may want to check out their site (and the latest newsletter).
I won't give my opinion but they encourage you to follow the USDA guidelines for diet and emphasize that no other diets have been found to be of special benefit for people with MS.
"When it comes to Alternative treatments such as homeopaths, herbalists, reflexologists, and many others it is important to be an informed and cautious consumer. Many of these threatments have never been scientifically tested and may actally be more harmful than helpful in the treatment of MS."