Conquer MS with Self-Care! Tips and tricks for surviving these Covid Times.

Tips for Surviving 2022 and beyond with MS

For nearly 20 years now I have been battling my multiple sclerosis (MS).  Good days, bad days, every which way days.  I’ve had them all.      I could not walk or see unassisted when the MS struck me.  Now I’m thriving in my own MS way.  It’s not the life I was used to or expected for me, but you know what happens when we have too many “plans”.  Time to let go and let life plan itself. Time to move forward with MS.  My success has been based on a natural, holistic approach to living with a lot of monitoring and help from my doctors. Life skills and stress management have played major rolls in my success. Times like these we can benefit from learning to move forward...read more

TiPS and TRiCKS to stay healthy and cool this Summer: Importance of Making a Plan B Escaping the Red Zone of MS Cooling and Healing Tips for MS Join GWMS on youtube  Radio Show - Tips and Tricks for living better with MS "I'm newly diagnosed with MS - now what?"    MS Living Well Podcast 9: Cognition and Multiple Sclerosis MAY 21, 2020   Barry Singer MD, Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care interviews: Caroline Craven aka The Girl with MS is a certified life coach, writer and motivation speaker. Her writing focuses on articles in health journalism and highly rated blog. Her blog post topics range from personal experiences, research-based articles, recipes, life hacks and resources. Click For Apple Podcasts Click For MS Living Well Podcast    Dave Bexfield (ActiveMSers.org) along with Kathy Reagan Young (FUMSnow.com), Cathy Chester (anempoweredspirit.com) And many more saved this Girl with MS during some really dark times. And that was before Covid. We have so much love and support out there. Reach out and see what there is to learn. Click here to see the full list of helpers/advocates. We’ve got this!     The Rocky Ride of MS and What Helped Multiple Sclerosis is like riding a roller coaster in so many ways.  This past year has shown a lot of love for this Girl with MS.  Some symptoms subdued, others raised their voices.  But top on my list was meeting so many wonderful people living with MS across the country, in person and around the world via the internet and telephone. Despite my good year and pleasant holiday, the MS reared its ugly head with a bad case of pseudo bulbar affect or PBA.  One minute laughing, the next in tears.  I just call it the funk.  And it got a holt of me bad the other day.  The fact it's the end of the year caused a bit of the emotions. Focusing on what did not get done in 2019 led me down a path of quick depression.  Even healthy people have to give themselves a break, but the pressure and disappointment that one can put on themselves can be debilitating.  And that's where I found myself.   You know what helped?  All of these MS advocates and friends Read more... Football season is a coming, not sure what it will look like but I’m getting ready.  Love my Oregon Ducks and Puddles!  #takeTHATms! Take the Self-Care Challenge!  Self-Care is vital in our fight against MS.  What can we do for ourselves?  Life skills lead to better health. One of these skills is to learn to quiet the mind... read more Potential natural treatments for MS  Alternative Therapies for MS   Why me?  managing anger in MS   Surviving the Covid Quarantine Life as an MS patient brings enough uncertainty and stress.  These last five months have created challenges upon challenges. But it’s also provided opportunities.  I started a sourdough starter as did many people. I can’t eat a lot of gluten as it affects my MS in a bad way but it’s been fun making stuff for the family.  More importantly is that I posted two great resources to learn more about living with MS during Covid.  One is by the awesome @CathyChes at The Empowered Spirt and the other by Dr. Terry Wahls and the Wahls Group.  Did you know that elderberry during this time may not be a good thing?  So much to learn....read more...   Take action to potentiate your wellness.  Other natural treatments for MS symptoms.   Keep on Moving if and when you can! It took me awhile to build up my strength after some time off. And this heat will have me down for awhile, but enjoy the little moments and all achievements.   10 Ways you Can Prepare to Age Well with MS by guest writer Anita Fernandes

Conquer MS with Self-Care:  GUT HEALTH Much research has been done regarding gut health and MS.  And let’s face it – our guts are not healthy!  When we take pills by swallowing they have to compete with every other bacteria in your stomach and gut.  This can be a detriment for folks living with MS.      I wrote this article, “How gut bacteria eases autoimmune diseases” as well as this important piece about Probiotics and gut health.

Precision medicine, DNA and MS - Oh just spit in the tube!

What does saliva have to do with MS?  

Many people with MS are inspired to help others with their illness by being part of medical research.  People living with MS can help with research from clinical trials and all the way to the other end of spectrum, filling out surveys or spitting into a tube.  

I am one of those people.  Everyone is different and this is a very personal choice.  One of my goals in life is to help others with MS so my decision was made early on - how can I help MS research and have fun learning more about myself? With this in mind, I decided to use my DNA for research. And I joined the #SanoCommunity.  

Is MS Genetic? 

Is MS genetic?  Is it inherited?  Well, it is complex according to Patrick Short, CEO, Sano Genetics.  But there is a genetic factor that can dis-regulate the immune system.  There are many genetic aspects that can affect ones tendency toward MS.  I cover more of this in my article, "New Research Shows MS May be Genetic in Some Families," originally posted on Healthline.com.    

How genetic is MS?  How much does the environment affect MS?  Many of these answers can be found via Sano and their research.   

Other non-medical conditions become available in Sano's personalized reports.  I found this super interesting, learning about reactions to certain foods, or response to stress, or allergy tendencies.  I'm now curious how my family compares to me!  

By participating in research and sharing your DNA data (totally your choice!) you are helping the researchers better understand the genetic element of conditions like MS   The goal is to be able create precision medicine based on DNA and solid clinical research.  

The Sano DNA Kit Reveal! 

What does DNA have to do with MS and our health?  Time to think of the future folks, time to think ahead and what may become reality.  

I greatly appreciated this interview by Kathy Reagan Young (FUMSnow.com) and Patrick Short (SanoGenetics.com) to better understand DNA, MS and Personalized Medicine:

Privacy is key

Once you sign up on Sano and upload your DNA data (if you have it, it is not essential for signing up) it is your choice to say "yes, share my data" or "no, don't share my data".  The control is in your hands.  Most other groups will sell your data.  Sano uses the data for research if and only if you approve.  

Visit the website to learn more: 

• Sign up at SanoGenetics.com   
• Receive email
• Follow directions
• Send back 
• Receive email
• Log into website and... 

• Check out reports!  

Explore the Sano Blog - Personal stories about living with people living with MS you know and some that are new.   #ArdraShephard @trippingonair and #EliseOsmond from Australia.  Click here for the #SanoCommunity stories! 

 

The 5 "P's" of Personalized Medicine

When I first heard of the five "P's" of personalized medicine, which was just yesterday, I thought, WOW, this is the ultimate self-care tool.  Imagine being able to predict or prevent MS, or make a more precise diagnoses.  Personalized and targeted intervention may not be far in our future.  And all of this creates a more participatory role for patients.  Self-care.  Patient stories. DNA.  An interesting mix.  

Prediction & Prevention of disease

more Precise diagnoses

Personalized and targeted interventions

a more Participatory role for patients

So many questions to ask, things to learn, and eyes to open.  Thank you Patrick Short, Kathy Reagan Young with FUMSnow.com, and everyone at Sano who is rocking the MS world with their hard work and dedication.  

Connect with SanoGenetics, Patrick Short and more! 

• Visit the Sano Genetics website and the page for Multiple Sclerosis
• Listen to The Genetics Podcast  (with Kathy Reagan Young:  FUMSnow.com)
• Connect with Sano Genetics on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

Thank you for joining the #SanoCommunity, engaging, and commenting.  We love to hear from you across platform and look forward to hearing about your DNA experience!   #takeTHATms!  

I was just diagnosed with MS. Now what? Conquer MS with Self-Care

I needed this today.  Time to reNew You!  (Or me in this case).  Anyways I enjoyed reading through here and reminding myself what it means to do some Self-Care.   

New to MS?  or want to feel better with your existing MS?   Time to Conquer MS with Self-Care.

There is so much to cover with this title which is why my new book is in production!   But in the meantime take a look at these comments and tips.  Most tips below are linked to articles that I have written as a Patient Expert, Health Journalist and Life Coach.  Please click on the link to see studies, articles and more.  

Conquer MS with Self-Care

1.  Take a deep breath.  It will all be OK.  You are in for a change, but the levels vary for everyone.  Just know that things will get better and life will continue.  MS hits everyone different.  It will be important to be very compassionate toward yourself and your life as this disease unfolds.    

1.    Find a good neurologist – an MS specialist.

2.    Understand you are going through a change.

3.    Emotional balance may seem to slip away – seek help. 

4.    Talk with your MS Dr. regarding Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs)x more

5.    Love YourSelf!  Its good for MS!
6.  Check out My Favorite Resources Page - full of supplements that have worked for me.  I am not a doctor and these are affiliate links. But this routine has helped me for awhile now.  

 

Listen to my radio shows

2.  Modifiable risk factors:

MRF's are choices we have control over. Things we can start or quit depending upon our needs.  While none of these in particular cause MS, there is substantial proof that the following actions are beneficial for MS patients:

1.    If you smoke cigarettes, quit. 

2.    Reduce, respect or quit alcohol.  

3.    Limit salt intake.

4.    Reduce, respect or quit caffeine

5.    Do not use artificial sweeteners such as aspartame  (excitotoxins)

6.    Take additional Vitamin D(if low)

7.    Take Vitamin B12 (if low)

8.    Talk to your doctor about an NRF2 activator such as Protandim™ to fight oxidative stress. 

9.    Eat a healthy diet.  Nutrition is everything!

10.Eat a diet high in fish

11.Talk your doctor about Taking probiotics– health begins in our gut.  

12.Eat leafy greens

13.Diet and MS

14.High-dose biotin and potential for MS. My FAVORITE high dose biotin is Myetin.  Click to Order. (affiliate link)

15.Creating your own health:  using diet and nutrition to help MS. 

My FAVORITE probiotic:  VisBiome.

3.  Complementary therapies that might interest you:

1.    Yoga - 13 Benefits

2.  Yoga - 40 Practitioners discuss Benefits

3.   Massage

4.  Magnetic therapy

5.  Medical Marijuana

6.  Alternative therapies for MS

4.  You may find these fact-checked articles and “MS connections” interesting:

1.    MS and Epstein Barr Virus

2.    MS and antidepressant

3.    MS and decision-making

4.    MS and Sunshine

5.     MS and stem cell treatment

6.     MS and brain stimulation

7.     MS and horseback riding

8.     MS and laughter therapy

9.     MS and sense of smell

10.  MS and Exercise

5.   Life-skills.  Tips  and articles.  

1.    Connect socially at #BelongMS APP and reach a world of support. 

2.    Start a hand-written journal.  Handwriting is great therapy.  

3.    Build your support team.  Write down who is on your “Team”:  friends, family, doctors, pharmacist, nutritionist, massage therapist, yogi, God, whomever works for you. This list will grow and evolve during your MS.  

4.    How to cope when a loved one has a chronic illness

6.    Why me?  3steps to managing your angerwith MS.

7.    For better health, watch your words.  

8.    Can video games help MSsymptoms?  

9.    8 cooling and healing rituals for summer.

10.Get outside for 5 stress-busting exercises.  

11.Superhero saladrecipe for summer

12.3 recipesto help transition into spring. 

Contact me for any question!

and remember, together we've got this! 

 

Conquer MS with Self-Care