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Valais, Switzerland

When were you diagnosed with MS? November 2012

What type of MS do you have? Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)

#1: Can you tell us a little about your journey with MS. How did you feel about your initial diagnosis and how it has affected your life?


I began to feel my body starting to shut down on me very, very quickly. When I initially went to the doctor, I was dismissed and told "You're too young to have anything seriously wrong with you... It's nothing". I was 33 years old and just married. My first symptoms were pins and needles running down my spinal cord, which then spread down my arms and legs. I took it upon myself to investigate what could be going on and a few months later, I returned to my doctor asking to be referred to a Neurologist. Mainly because, my symptoms sounded very similar to MS and I was just getting sicker. After blood tests, a lumbar puncture, and an MRI scan, I was given the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. I had so many, many questions like...why did I have it, what caused it, what can I do about it, and/or do I have to change my diet and lifestyle? I was deeply shocked and distressed to discover that no hope was given to me within conventional medicine and the prognosis was not good, nor was it pretty. I continued to get sicker. At my sickest, I had no feeling from my chin down and my husband was spoon-feeding me. I felt so angry and frustrated. I was desperate to get answers and to feel well in my body again. It was a really scary time. Then I discovered Functional Medicine. There was Hope after all!


#2: What MS symptoms do you have and how do you manage them on a daily basis?


I currently don`t have any MS symptoms. However, I am very conscious that I have to be extremely careful. An infection, virus, stress, certain foods, and certain situations can trigger a flare or even a relapse. I live my life well with MS; but, I am forever checking in with myself to ensure I am feeling well and my needs are met. I consider it to be way more important for me to check in with my body, than I do my phone! This means breathing techniques, journalling, daily meditation, walking, eating foods my body recognizes, utilizing infrared machines, saunas, cold water showers, and having deep meaningful conversations with people that are good for my nervous system. My life is very different from when I was given the MS diagnosis. I have changed every single aspect of my life, so that I can live well with MS.


#3: Who/What has been your most important support system?


My dear husband without one shadow of a doubt has been and is the most important support system to me. I also consider the support that I give to myself to be crucial too. I have learned to love myself deeply and unconditionally. When we said our wedding vows "Through sickness and in health" neither of us knew what we were saying and what was about to happen. A few months later, he was having to spoon-feed me and take me to the bathroom. It was hugely humiliating and not how we wanted to start married life.


#4: Do you use any accessories like canes, walkers, or wheelchairs to manage daily activities?


No, I do not. I am doing all that I can for it to stay that way. Because, I focus on prioritizing progressive health and not a progressive disease.


#5: How do you stay positive and motivated in your daily life? What do you do for self-care?


MS happened for me...not to me. Before the diagnosis of MS, I was living my life in the fast lane, unable to enjoy its gift. MS forced me to slow down. I now live life in the slow lane. I actually prefer it there. I see more. I stay positive by journaling every day. I won't forget the time when I was unable to walk after my MS diagnosis and was advised to rearrange my home to accommodate a wheelchair. I have absolutely no idea what the future holds for me but, a wheelchair is not something I wish to have. I strongly believe that everything the mind says the body hears, so I am extremely careful about what I say to myself and how I speak to myself on a daily basis.


#6: Your story and experiences with MS are incredibly valuable and can provide encouragement and motivation to others in the community. What words of advice or encouragement would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed with MS or going through a challenging time right now?


Health starts with HOPE! There is so much that you have control over. The food that you eat, the thoughts that you have, the people you spend time with, the things you watch, read and your quality of sleep. Surround yourself with people that are good for your Nervous System. Look into Functional Medicine and be careful what meaning you give the diagnosis of MS. Symptoms are your body's way of speaking to you. What is your body saying to you? My body was telling me that I had to change.......and I have.


#7: Have you started a business or mission related to MS? Can you tell us about it and what inspired you to take this step?


I am the founder of First Food First. I am a Wahls Health Practitioner, Nutritional Therapist, and Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach for courageous individuals diagnosed with MS. I use Nutrition, Lifestyle, Mindset, and my own lived experiences so that they can reclaim their lives, look forward and follow their dreams.


I started this as a result of feeling completely lost after my MS diagnosis. I discovered there was HOPE by using the principles of Functional Medicine. My website is www.firstfoodfirst.com and my Instagram handle is @first_food_first. This is where I share my journey living with MS and I also sprinkle some HOPE to courageous individuals going through similar challenges with their health.


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Leave a comment, and share your experience. We would love to hear from you!

Georgia, USA

When were you diagnosed with MS? September 2019

What type of MS do you have? Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)

#1: Can you tell us a little about your journey with MS. How did you feel about your initial diagnosis and how it has affected your life?


In June 2019, my life changed forever. I didn't know what was going on, I took a nap after being out with my great-niece at the end of June, and before I opened my eyes I could feel the room spinning. When I opened my eyes it was worse. This went on for about two months and I can honestly say this was the WORSE time in my life. Everyone who knows me, knows that I am a go-getter and I do not like laying around wasting time.


Because of the vertigo (which is what I had), I couldn't do anything but lay down, and the bad part was, I couldn't lay in my bed or on my right side without feeling nauseated. At the time my husband was overseas working and my son was working 45 minutes away from our home. Although my son wanted to stay home with me, I encouraged him to go to work and earn money in preparation for moving out and starting his own future. I am blessed because one of my brothers and his wife lives across the street and my parents are five minutes away. They were very supportive. By the end of July, my symptoms changed to stroke-like symptoms. So for 15-30 seconds, my speech would slur, I would lose control of my balance, and my left hand would shake uncontrollably. It was at that time a family member mentioned that I should find a neurologist. I reached out to my mom's neurologist; because, he helped her out a great deal. I didn't get an appointment with him until the end of August. Michael Jackson's birthday to be exact. Now mind you, I was in my last year of college and I had to stop my courses; because, of all that was going on. I didn't think I would ever go back.


So I saw my neurologist on August 29th and he explained that either I had a mini-stroke or I have Multiple Sclerosis. He immediately sent me to do an MRI which confirmed that I had MS. I thought my life was over. I cried about it, I gave it to God and then, I let it go. I told myself this is not going to beat or consume me. The worse part was telling my son because his response was "Are you going to die?" That rocked me to my core to hear that. But I assured him that Mom is not going anywhere until God says so! I started my medicine at the end of September. In October, I re-enrolled my classes. I made the Dean's list every Semester and on September 18, 2020, I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Business w/Honors. Guess what, it didn't stop there! In 2021, I met three fabulous ladies in an organization for women with chronic illnesses. We were there for 3 months, and we all left for varying reasons. We stayed in contact and decided collectively to start our own organization for women diagnosed with MS. On August 29, 2021, Alpha Eta Phi Multiple Sclerosis Sorority was created. We started out with just the four of us, then in October of 2022, we welcomed 28 fantastic female MS Warriors into the organization. Our mission is to empower all people affected by Multiple Sclerosis to live their best lives despite the challenges we face. We chose Ecclesiastes 4:12..."A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken"...as the foundation for our organization because we are all in this fight together! We are not only a support group, but we are educating and advocating for our communities bringing awareness to this illness.


#2: What MS symptoms do you have and how do you manage them on a daily basis?


I still have the stoke-like symptoms mentioned above and I manage them by eating right. I started a no-meat regime after Thanksgiving 2022 and I feel great. This was a challenge for me to see how taking meat out of my diet would help with my MS. I felt great after two weeks. The sluggish feeling went away and I didn't have episodes unless I was dead tired. I also manage my MS by taking Glatmier Acetate which is the generic form of Copaxone 3x's a week.


#3: Who/What has been your most important support system?


OH MY Goodness! My Family has been a huge support!!!! Especially my son, and husband. My mom and dad have been so helpful in every way; as I am, the first and only one in our family to have MS. I am the youngest of five and the only girl, and my brothers looked out for me which, I had no doubt that they would. I have the best sisters in the world. They are my best friends. but we have been friends for so long they are my family too. Everyone has always been protective of me but after my diagnosis, they have become even more protective.


#4: Do you use any accessories like canes, walkers, or wheelchairs to manage daily activities?


I do not at present.


#5: How do you stay positive and motivated in your daily life? What do you do for self-care?


First and foremost God. There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank him. He has helped me thus far and I don't see him giving up on me anytime soon! My family particularly my fur baby Midnight keeps me motivated. The ladies in my organization keep me going as well. They are a fantastic group of women and I am proud that we crossed paths via our great organizations! I sing karaoke on Paltalk and Smule, I make beaded bracelets and pens, I color, and I love spending time with my family and listening to music!


#6: Your story and experiences with MS are incredibly valuable and can provide encouragement and motivation to others in the community. What words of advice or encouragement would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed with MS or going through a challenging time right now?


Do not give up! Do not let this disease consume you. You can still do things and have fun, you just have to find new ways to do the things you love and enjoy. The thing that I always keep in mind is that we have MS it DOES NOT have us! Keep the positivity in and the negativity out!


#7: Have you started a business or mission related to MS? Can you tell us about it and what inspired you to take this step?


As mentioned above, myself and three other fantastic warriors (Dr. Lekeia Conway, Tiffany English, and Jessica Michelle Hawk) started an organization for women who have been diagnosed or living with MS. We wanted to be a help to those in the MS community and be a source of support for those who do not have support. We also saw that a lot of people did not know much about MS, so educating, advocating, and bringing awareness is a part of our mission.


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Leave a comment, and share your experience. We would love to hear from you!

Laois, Ireland

When were you diagnosed with MS? 2021

What type of MS do you have? Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)

#1: Can you tell us a little about your journey with MS. How did you feel about your initial diagnosis and how it has affected your life?


The diagnosis of MS was unexpected and sudden. After a visit to the GP, I was immediately referred to the hospital, and within two days, I received my diagnosis of MS. In retrospect, I had been experiencing MS symptoms for many years though without realizing it.


#2: What MS symptoms do you have and how do you manage them on a daily basis?


I mostly have nerve pain in my arms and feet, especially at night. During a flare-up, my right leg becomes temporarily unusable for a few days. In addition, I suffer from migraines and severe fatigue that were not present before my diagnosis.


#3: Who/What has been your most important support system?

My family and husband are my primary sources of support. My mother has become a top follower on MS Ireland's social media platform by frequently commenting on posts. My sister constantly sends me links to support groups and organizations that I can get involved with. Additionally, my husband provides daily support. He's like a handsome butler!


#4: Do you use any accessories like canes, walkers, or wheelchairs to manage daily activities?


Not at the moment.


#5: How do you stay positive and motivated in your daily life? What do you do for self-care?


To maintain a positive and motivated outlook, I engage in self-care activities such as sharing multiple self-deprecating memes. I use humor to find light during the hard times.


#6: Your story and experiences with MS are incredibly valuable and can provide encouragement and motivation to others in the community. What words of advice or encouragement would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed with MS or going through a challenging time right now?


The best advice I received was to "stop down playing what you are going through and stop saying 'Thankfully, it is just MS! Because, some people are being told by their doctor, "your results are back and thankfully it's NOT MS". But....Something else (good or bad)!


#7: Have you started a business or mission related to MS? Can you tell us about it and what inspired you to take this step?


I do not have a business at this time. However, I have my MS Instagram page @my_ms_sloth_diary and I have met some of the bravest, gorgeous-hearted fellow spoonies there. I needed this page because, when I was diagnosed, I had NO IDEA what I was getting in too. But having the support of the MS community has made a world of difference.


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Leave a comment, and share your experience. We would love to hear from you!

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