ALTERNITIVE TREATMENTS

[student01]

IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE THAT HAS TRIED ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR THEIR MS, AND HAVE THEY WORKED??

[HVAC]

I came to this through the back door. Instead of having symptoms I could see my PCP found something that troubled her on an exam and sent me to a neurologist who thought I had one of two sudden death conditions and did an MRI of my brain. The MRI ruled them out but pointed to a demylating disease.I have a vague diagnosis. In the words of my current Neurologist, who is an MS Specialist, " It can't be anything except MS,We do not want to treat it because in six months when we do an MRI we won't know if the drugs have stopped the lesions or if the lesions have stopped on there own." He says I have MS symptoms but they are not bad which is good. I only have lesions in the mid brain and some have disappeared and the last two MRIs are identical six months apart.

In two years I have been taking antioxidants, a B complex vitamin supplement, chromium picolinate, omega 3 & 6 under the advice of a Doctor. I have Mononucleosis so I take an immune support supplement from Whole Foods. I have also changed my diet. Cut out fast food, processed food, artificial sweeteners, sugar, most dairy including yogurt, most bread pasta etc. I go to my farmers market buy lots of vegetables and local meat. I have with out trying lost weight which I needed to do.I am not a nature nut nor do I believe in taking supplements without a Doctor knowing about it. I don't drink or smoke. I am having trouble giving up coffee.

I just started this week with a friend who does herbs and acupuncture. She has been a guest on "The People's Pharmacy" so she is respected. None of what I am doing may help, but I  feel like I need to be in optimal health to fight whatever I have. I am a skeptic about everything.

I am having an LP soon and will have the results the second week of April. I expect they will find nothing and I will be back to six month checks.

I am taking it one day at a time and not going to worry about it. It is in the Universe's hands and today anyway it is all good!

Take care

[student01]

Have you been dx with MS? and why has the neuro not started meds ? what kind of herbs and supplements are you taking ? for how long ? and is it working? how do you feel?

[HVAC]

Hi Student,
   I am trying acupuncture and herbs and supplements from a well respected area Chinese medicine person for the simple reason the Neurologists have no plans of  starting treatment. Taking care of my health can't hurt. I have lost twenty pounds and feel better.

[Khiba]

Hi Student,

I use chiropractic and massage as alternative measures. helps a lot I think. I am also changing my diet to include more fruits and green veggies and getting away from wheat and dairy. Hopefully this will help too.

khiba

[Lulu54]

Hi student,
The only way we would ever know if anything truly works for our MS is to have an autopsy done on our brain when we die - eveyrone progresses so totally different we can't be sure if something is working or not until much further down the road.  

I for one don't want to take that chance and am taking copaxone.  But I am also doing lots of complimentary alternative treatments too - tai chi. water swimming and aerobics, massage therapy and just started acupuncture.  

I am also a heart patient and have read quite a bit about reversing HD.  You might be interested in reading about the Ornish diet if you are curious about dietary changes.  

I hope you'll let us know what you have in mind with this question when you feel up to it. In the meantime, welcome to the Medhelp MS forum.

my best,
Lulu

[Zacksmomi]

My problem is that the research for this concept can not be properly conducted.  I personally believe it is because there is no money in natural medicine. Pharmacies and doctors aren't going to get paid as much if they tell us to eat certain diets.  They get paid when we take meds.  

I do believe that the DMD's are good but I also agree that learning about what to eat and what not to eat is a good idea and my PCP definately suggested I educate myself about diet.  He does not agree that alternatives such as venom treatments are the smart choice.  He definately wants me on the DMD's.

I have learned that certain food intolerances especially to dairy, yeast, and gluten (my 3 favorite food groups) can be related to why our immune system acts up more than it should.  I am trying to change my diet but am not sure if I can go on a strict fruit, veggie, fish and poulty diet.  I would if I knew for sure it helps as people claim, but holy cow I am so a bread and cheese lover it is ssssooooo hard.

I do think modern medicine has benefits and to utilize what you can, but education can't hurt.  The best thing you can do is take the DMD's if finances allow, and pay attention to what you eat.  

I personally take anti oxidants which I have heard helps with the food intolerance and protecting the CNS.

I hope this helps a bit.

D

[jensequitur]

Everything I've heard has made me very leery of alternative medicine for MS.  If they knew the cause of MS, then alternative methods of treating it would make more sense.

Montel Williams is a fierce proponent of lots of fruit and vegetables, especially raw.  I think he said he was eating 3-5 pounds a day of raw veggies and fruit.  I know when I eat more raw stuff, I feel better, but I'm not sure if it's because it's healthier, or because it's better for the disease.