Oh Lisa...bless your heart! I hope that today is a better day for you and that the initial shock is wearing off.
I think what Rae said is absolutely right on - this is NOT the beginning of the end by any means! Her sister's condition just added some stumbling blocks to her life, but they are do-able and not unlike any roadblocks and setbacks we all face. These just happen to be tangible. But in no way are they the end of your world.
All the plans you told us you've made - chiropractic care, organic food, meditation, and just being kind to yourself - are fantastic! Not only for your condition, but for your whole being. Dr. Cheryl's post has lots of stuff to start researching also, and thanks for the heads up on the aspartame thing.
Remember I had a brain tumor removed last April which took the sight in my right eye. I was 44 yrs old with no and I mean NO previous health problems of any kind, just like you. But it appeared nonetheless. I have a few residual complications (impared pituitary which affects my thyroid as a result of the radiotherapy I had this year)... plus I have to watch the tumor via MRI every year forever so as not to lose my other eye. And yup, many new obstacles as a result but - definitely cope-able.
I have 2 dear friends with MS and BOTH are nowhere NEAR degenerated. They have 'bouts' periodically but are otherwise in great shape. Severe cases like poor Annette Funicello are RARE.
The folks I know who have MS do what you're going to do: they work with their doctors and treat themselves gently with diet and lifestyle and herbs and stuff. Only one friend - an older lady - has to take drugs periodically, but not constantly. She is fully functional and doing very well. She was diagnosed 35 yrs ago and she's 55.
I do the same with my issues: the doctors tell me what's wrong with me and I treat myself first - detox, yoga, no bad food whatsoever, supplements for my thyroid and I'm taking Cantron to get rid of the tumor (also works on MS). None of this is doctor prescribed. I am on no drugs. I make sure I have hair I love so I don't stress. I don't wig out about not being able to see as well; I just don't drive at night or read in dim light. And my DIY hair days are over - no way I can see well enough to put it in myself. But whatever.
Honey, you can do this. You will be okay. If you want ANYTHING, any info or anything at all, please ask. You're going to be a-ok and live to be a beautiful old rocker chick.
Many hugs to you -
Edited by Syren123
leia1979
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Lisa, you know you have the love and support of all of us here.
You are a strong and wonderful person, and I hope for good things to
come to you.
Maybe you might consider travelling down this way to UCSF or Stanford
med center. They're both on the leading edge of medicine (my
brother's been to both).
Oh, Lisa, this must be so hard for you. But please, don't think that
your diagnosis is your fate. My sister has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a
degenerative joint condition, and it's very easy to think of that in
terms of "an endless spiral downwards". But it's not. She has lots of
problems to deal with that make life harder, sure, but she does lots of
things to counteract the effect of her condition- physical therapy,
wears joint braces, exercises, etc (which don't necessarily apply to
MS, I know)- and by doing so, she has a manner in which she has some
control over her health. And she has bad days, but she's also got very
good days; it's not a straight path downwards, but lots of ups and
downs, like everything else in life. If you do have MS, it's not the
end-all and be-all of everything in your life (though I bet it feels
like it right now); it's just one more thing to deal with. Keep your
head up, girl; you're so talented and determined that nothing can stop
you. :)
Oh no metalgirl, how can such thing happen to such a nice person. I am very upset by the news and I wish you luck and anything you will need to defeat this disease. Please stay strong and be positive, with these days technology, you never know one day there may be a cure.
My prayers will be with you, best of luck!!!!
Scotchyroo
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Shoot That's some crappy thing to deal with, metalgirl. I'm sorry that you have to go through this. I don't know how much confidence you have in your diagnosis, but if there is any hope that more tests may change your outlook, I wish it to you.
Several years ago, I was having issues where I was having anaphylactic reactions almost every time I left the house, I seriously thought I was dying. Turns out I'm allergic to gluten and it's triggered by exercise. Just one of those bizarre new things that seems to be popping up to f*ck with people, but easily enough controlled, once you identify it. I don't know. I just hope something works out for you. You give so much to the board and it's members. We really appreciate you here.
metal girl i am so sorry that must be very upsetting for you. my thoughts and prayers are with u at this difficult time hopefully you will be gettin loads of help and support from family and friends. stay strong and postive.
Bridget
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Lisa, you're such a strong woman, and such a fighter... keep your head up thru this tuff time... my thoughts and prayers go out to you. (I totally agree w/Amm about the second and third even, opinion)
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hi metalgirl - those all sound like great options.
my own personal philosophy now is sort of moving towards staying away from all the processed foods/ artificial additives, and sweeteners. The other thing i'm really beginning to believe helps to quiet inflammation and curb/slow many degenerative processes are antioxidants like vitamin E/selenium, alpha lipoic acid, etc. there is some evidence also that many chronic debilitating illnesses (mainly like lou gehrig's disease, a different progressive neuro disease, which i have some clinical experience with) especially in domestic animals isn't due to one thing but rather the result of oxidative damage/oxidants accumulating from all kinds of issues- antioxidants help slow/reverse the process in experimental and some natural cases too. a good natural antioxidant supplement (for vitamin E look for natural form: d-alpha tocopherol, the dL form is man made and crap).
i know some people megadose themselves with vit C and E; for water soluble vitamins like C you pretty much eliminate excess when you urinate, but for vit E i think you have to be super careful with higher than recommended doses because it's fat soluble and will get stored and that alone can cause problems.
I have to wait to see the neurologist until Dec.1st.
I am going to start eating only organic foods, resume accupuncture, meditation, Qidong (it's like Tai Chi) , get a personal trainer, etc. I'm not giving up so easily!
By the way, I would caution anyone to consume the artificial sweeterner 'aspartame'. Some dr.s believe it can cause MS type symptoms. Do a google search on 'aspartame and MS' and you will get info about the horrible effects the sweetener can have on the body.
i totally agree with amm here - so often i've heard of this diagnosis being sort of a "well it isn't this or that so it must be MS". i am not really experienced at all with chiropractic, but as a vet i can say that so often there is a cluster of neurologic diseases - all slightly different in their origin and what they affect - that are difficult to discriminate from one another. get a 2nd AND 3rd opinion, see a specialist, go talk to the people at the local MS chapter and see who they recommend and hear their experiences.
best of luck to you and my prayers are with you! i applaud you for wanting to get all the info you can now.
cheryl
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*hugs* Im so sorry. I know how your feeling though, when I was 19 I was diagnosed with kidney disease. The first few weeks after you've been told is the worst, but you are strong and you'll make it through.
I wish the best for you and I know you'll do well in life
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as well. Keeping it in the day is difficult to do with the devastating news you recieved.
I think that with your good attitude and outlook on life, you will still have a happy and successful life filled with family, friends and alot of support from all the lives that you have touched with your kind heart and soul. Just from reading your posts it is evident that you are a warm and giving person. I have always enjoyed reading whatever you post with your nonjudgemental and carefree attitude.
There are many good suggestions already posted. Remember that God doesn't close one door without opening another.
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metalgirl - my mother was diagnosed with MS 30 years ago - right after I was born. She has the progressive type. Growing up with it, I know what a struggle it can be, but I also know what huge strides they have made in medication. When my mother was diagnosed in the 70's, doctors knew little to nothing about the disease. She is now on a drug that has really slowed down the progression and there are encouraging studies being done with stem cell research. Keep faith and always push your doctors to research the newest meds out there.
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That's some crappy thing to deal with, metalgirl. I'm sorry that you have to go through this. I don't know how much confidence you have in your diagnosis, but if there is any hope that more tests may change your outlook, I wish it to you.
reading this, i will be praying for you daily and know if there is anything i can do, please just ask.... OKAY???
