Multiple Sclerosis is a strange disease

Multiple Sclerosis is a strange disease.  Learning more about the basics of it, especially about the differences between the various types of MS arms you with the information that is necessary to live your life best. If you have a spouse or loved one with the condition, the more you know about the disease will help the patient to “adapt and survive”.  It is estimated that between 55,000 to 75,000 Canadians have Multiple Sclerosis.  The condition is unique and unpredictable in every patient.  MS is not a death sentence, rarely does it shorten life.  It is a “Chronic” condition.

Most people who get diagnosed suffer from the relapsing-remitting form (RRMS) for the first few years in the life of the disease.  One form of MS will have mild attacks but recovery is complete afterwards.  This is benign MS.  Over time, most MS patients will progress to Secondary progressive (SPMS) or Primary Progressive (PPMS).  PPMS is way more aggressive and ability is usually permanently affected faster in the course of the disease; PPMS has no noticeable relapses, just a steady progression of worsening disability. 

More women then men are diagnosed, generally men seem to progress more rapidly when it hits.  There is no known cure, however MS Patients have a variety of treatment options.  The ABCR (Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone and Rebif) drugs have been available for treating MS since the mid 1990’s.  This form of therapy works best in the early stages (RRMS) of the disease.  Multiple Sclerosis mimics every other condition that befalls the human animal and can be difficult to properly diagnose and treatment options include therapy given to other conditions.  It has been suggested that good physical and mental health can help overcome the worst that MS offers.

Fatigue is a common complaint among MS patients, along with depression.  Studies have found that mild exercise in a group setting can combat these disease symptoms.  Yoga is recommended.    If you decide to follow an exercise program, be sure to consult with your health care provider to ensure you won’t do further damage to yourself.  After a few weeks of stretches and bends you may feel more flexible and energetic.  In many communities walking clubs exist to promote fitness.  Walking in a group setting is a good way to get in shape and develop relationships with people of a common cause.  If you live in an area that has public swimming or near a lake in a warm climate, this low impact exercise is one of the best forms of physical therapy a patient can do.  Horseback riding is also suggested to be a good form of recreation for MS’ers.

Humanity has cultivated plants and kept animals as companions and workers for millions of years.  Hundreds of years ago (up to just after the turn of the 20^th century), people had to produce their own food and depended on animals to help tend the plantation.  This relationship became part of our survival.  Leading researchers have discovered a link between this history and wellbeing and recommend gardening and pets as a good therapy to combat some of the effects of life, including MS.  Get a cat or dog for companionship.  Perhaps there are community gardens where you can grow a little food.  Planting boxes can fit in almost every residence; Google or your local public library can help you design something to start a home garden.

Mental therapy can be as simple as doing a crossword puzzle.  It is wise not to let your brain go dormant.  By taxing it with complex puzzles and thought provoking games you can retrain it to overcome some of the cognitive problems that manifest in MS.  It is suggested that it will help prevent conditions like Alzheimer’s or Dementia from forming as well.  Having Multiple Sclerosis does not prevent other conditions from developing care must be taken to avoid blaming all your symptoms on MS.

 If you have Multiple Sclerosis, you must learn to live with it.  It does not “have you”, rather you have MS.  Take ownership of it.  Hopefully, you will have it for a long time (for as long as you live, it is possible that MS will be there with you).  The MS Support system in your community can help you with anything that MS throws your way, be sure to contact them.  Wish for a cure, but survive and grow stronger with knowledge.