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Ann Pietrangelo

Living with Multiple Sclerosis: 5 Steps Toward Empowerment

posted by Ann Pietrangelo Jul 13, 2009 12:58 pm
filed under: Conditions, Health & Wellness, Living with MS, Multiple Sclerosis, ,
Living with Multiple Sclerosis: 5 Steps Toward Empowerment
17 comments

I’m not one of those people who will tell you that you can cure your multiple sclerosis (MS) with a positive attitude. But I will tell you that your attitude — that is, how you choose to deal with MS in your life — is crucial, not only emotionally, but physically.

It may seem so at first, but a life with MS is not necessarily a life out-of-control. As unpredictable and as debilitating as MS can be, there are some very basic things you can do to take control over this unwelcome intruder in your life.

1) Accept what is: After all the tests and the second opinion are in, accept the diagnosis and that MS is now part of your life. It is most certainly not the only part of your life… it is not even the most important part of your life… but it will not serve you well to deny its existence.

2) Do your homework: Educate yourself about what MS really is, not what you’ve heard it is, or what you think it is. Make sure you understand the available disease-modifying drugs so that you can intelligently decide whether or not they are right for you. It’s your decision and you have to own it.

3) Make accommodations: If symptoms are getting in the way of normal activity, do something about it. Whether it’s purchasing a cane or other mobility aid, installing a shower chair, or applying for a handicapped parking placard, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of everything at your disposal so that you can continue to function as independently as possible.

4) Protect your overall health: There are many things you can do to maintain strength and protect yourself from other preventable illness — regular exercise and a balanced diet go a long way toward that end, as do avoiding tobacco and other harmful products. Unfortunately, having MS doesn’t mean that you are not vulnerable to other diseases — this is no time to get lazy about your health.

5) Don’t let anybody push you around: MS is widely misunderstood, but tends to cause presumptuousness in acquaintances and strangers alike. Nobody understands your body, your mind, your life the way you do. Rather than let them get you down, use the opportunity to educate others. When you’ve got serious questions about this serious disease, address your concerns to appropriate medical professionals or other very trusted sources. Friendships with other MS patients create a strong support system.

These things, taken together and worked consistently, will empower you and enable you to be your own best advocate.

Note: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disorder affecting the central nervous system. The course of MS varies greatly from person to person, making it impossible to predict the progression in any one patient.

MS Information and Resources:

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Writer Ann Pietrangelo embraces the concept of personal responsibility for health and wellness. As a multiple sclerosis patient, she combines a healthy lifestyle and education with modern medicine, and seeks to provide information and support to others. She is a regular contributer to Care2.com’s Reform Health Policy blog in Causes.

More on Conditions (57 articles available)
More from Ann Pietrangelo (18 articles available)

17 comments

17 comments

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17 comments add your comment
Karen Anderson

The advice here is a little old fashioned. For a more modern approach I suggest www.takingcontrolofmultiplesclerosis.com . I've had MS 19 years and used to have a tough time until I started following Swank's MS diet. Then I stopped have any but minor symptoms and I have not had a relapse in 11 years even though I don't take any drugs for MS and never have.

Ann Pietrangelo

Debbie,

I agree. There is so much hope in embryonic stem cell research and there have already been great advances in adult stem cell research.

Debbie Z.

Hopefully, the lives of people with MS will be greatly improved because of the greater availability of stem cell therapy. I think this is one of Pres. Obama's greatest contributions so far.

Maryann C.

If anyone would like more information on MS. You can go to www.msaa.com They have different programs and services to help people living with MS They have helped me. Also if you can find a support group that helps talking to other people who have MS. I have a great support group that I go to. Yoga is a good thing to do you just limit yourself for what you can do. Yes a good attitude helps. I have MS, but it doesn't have me!

Pam Rhia S.

These are incredible things people with MS can do to help make their lives full of life, more positive, and feel more at peace with the disease. Due to MS being an autoimmune disease, these suggestions also fit other autoimmune illnesses such as Lupus, Sjogren's, Diabetes 1, and many more. Attitude in a positive light certainly makes a huge difference when you are dealing with a chronic daily illness that you never know when it will turn into a full blown "flare" or if you will wake up feeling well. The unknown of these diseases is what makes them so very difficult to deal with emotionally. Thanks for the information. This is really awesome.

Carol Lechko

Many people have and are getting rid of MS. Check out www.blogtalkradio.com/sheila-ulrich
Episode title Healing MS and other Diseases.
It's a real life truthful experience of a person who healed herself from MS! Don't choose to live with this disease. Don't accept it in your life! Let it go! The choice you make is yours!

Maryann C.

I have MS I was diagnosed 1996. I have been in a power chair for 7 years. I am as active as I can be.
This is a good article

Sharon Hoehner

Ann, thanks for clarifying that. Acknowledge is such a better word! Accept sounds very much like giving up. Glad you're doing well. Keep up the good work. How about sharing what you've done to stay well?

Tracy H.

I grew up doing MS Read-A-Thons; but all the while watching MS slowly take my Nana's mobility away.
But it never took her amazing spirit! She never let it bring her down. She stayed the same sweet woman til the day she passed away.
When her youngest son was diagnosed with it he took the same attitude.
My Mom took her diagnosis with amazing grace & courage. As she said; "I have a great role model."
She does whatever she's able do and pushes just a little more whenever she can.
Now my younger brother has been diagnosed with it and he too follows their strengths.
You may accept it; but you don't have to let it take your life away. I have friends with MS and they fight it as well.
One woman I knew, after getting a second opinion, said I may have MS; but I won't let it have me.
She had just started riding and continued to do so and had been symptom free for 2 years when I met her.
But I know of another woman took the other path and within 2 years of diagnosis had gone from a cane, to being bedridden to passing away.
It just proved to me that attitude is a BIG part of treating any ailment; from a cold to cancer.

As was mentioned before; learn what you can, adapt if you need to; but most of all; fight it!
Just because it trys to take bits; It doesn't have to take away all of YOU!
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone fighting and to everyone with a loved one who's fighting.

@-->---

Ann Pietrangelo

Thanks, Sharon,

I believe that once all the medical data is in, and the diagnosis of MS is clear, accepting that is step one in the search for solutions.

I am one of those people with MS who is living a normal life and has had a good result since diagnosis. Rather than deny my condition, I have faced it head on with a combination of medical care and healthy lifestyle. I cannot fight what I don't acknowledge. Perhaps acknowledge would have been a better word to use than accept.

While I am not without symptoms, and MS has had a huge impact on my life, I continue to work through the issues as they present themselves, while truly embracing life.

By acceptance of the diagnosis of the condition, I mean that as a jumping off point in the fight against MS, and didn't intend to imply acceptance of a less than full life, or an attitude of giving up -- far from it.

I hope that clarifies for anyone who may have thought that by acceptance I meant giving up.

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