Diet, supplements, alternative medicine

[JonGalt]

Any advocates of the non drug method?  I have read lots of posts and have never heard anyone mention an alternate.   Not that I don't love drugs or drug companies they seemingly get a lot unwarrnted slack. I recently started smoking marijuana I have never slept better in my life.  I relize that there is no medical studies on the effects of joint smoking and MS, however I doubt it is that bad.   Hopefully I am not outcasted as an outlaw!  Just looking for opinions.

[Fluffysmom]

My new MS specialist said that he has nothing against alternative therapies, but they will do nothing to slow the progression of MS, none have proven helpful in that way.

I'm sure that alternative therapies can be very helpful in treating symptoms.  I know of people that swear by medical marijuana for relief, though I would not be interested because of the cognitive issue, plus the fact that I seemed to be allergic, both back in my younger days, and more recently when I tried hemp protein powder.

So would that be connected to my grass or weed allergies?  :o)

Meditation is good, as is eating right.  I always felt better when exercising, trying to do more of that.  

Kathy

[HVAC]

I did acupuncture and massage which did me no good. I follow a good balanced diet with little gluten and lots of fruits and vegetables. I believe in exercise. I have reiki done because a friend does it for free. I do self hypnosis. I do not have to take as many pills.

Alex

[doublevision1]

There was a Canadian study published in the past couple of years which showed greater cognitive decline in MS pts who used cannabis to treat symptoms than for those who did not use.

I tried it for pain with no decrease in symptoms, though it temporarily make me less concerned about it.  I would consider trying again if my pain worsened, but with a prescription and from a licensed medical marijuana supplier to know what I'm getting, and in what concentration, and not mixed with anything harmful --- something not possible to control with street varieties.

The mouth spray Sativex is approved in Canada to treat spasticity and pain in MS, and although it doesn't have some of the other side effects of cannabis, especially from the smoked variety, it too may affect cognition negatively.

[Guitar_grrrl]

I'm taking the "East/West" approach.  Rebif, Acupuncture, Valium for spasms (though I may switch to Baclofen), and every now and then, a little weed.

I believe there are studies in UK on Cannabis for pain, spasms, etc.

Cheers,
Guitar_grrrl

[ErinZoe23]

i find that interesting cause in my whole thing when i was younger i was perfectly fine and i smoked weed and did other things actually and when i quit my symptoms began to show doctor said my use of drugs was hiding it all then i started again and it went away again and then i quit and a little bit later full blown syptoms began again ...so yeah i do find that really interesting maybe it was just hiding it like the doc said but chit i really wouldnt mind it being hidden and no symptoms ever lol they should do a study on it i believe