Does anyone here treat their MS with homeopathic remedies?

[TracyCMT]

I've heard a lot about taking a more "natural" route when it comes to treating MS and it's symptoms.  Can anyone suggest a good book that would take me more towards that type of treatment?  Diet, vitamins, essential oils? Medications are not an option for me and I did look into a few "diets" such as the Swank diet and a few others.  For example,  I've heard conflicting reports that milk is bad for MS, then I read milk is good.  It's pretty confusing, but I need to start somewhere.  
Thanks so much for any help you may be able to give me with this!
Tracy

[Iyad1970]

Hi

A great place to start is this  www.direct-ms.org

Ashton, the owner has done ALL the work over several years. You will be presented with science based facts.I amongst thousands others been following it for years and doing well.

[Lulu54]

if money is the big problem with doing any of the drug therapies, each and every one of the companies offers a patient assistance program and will take care of the drug costs for you. They don't want patients to go without treatment even if they can't afford it.  Let us know which drugs you are interested in and  we can get you more information.  

Yoga and walking are both great for the body and the mind - pick some things you like and are sure to stick with.  

[jensequitur]

The best and most effective 'homeopathic' treatment is simple exercise, rest, and consumption of raw natural foods.  I'm not talking Dr Swank - just a diet that's high in protein and fiber, and low in partially hydrogenated fats.  

The real key here is to fight the brain's degeneration.  MS disease activity works faster than the brain can heal.  You can actively help the brain by exercising, sleeping, and activities (playing games, learning an instrument, doing crosswords, etc.)  The key is to encourage new neurons to grow, and for the brain to cross-connect them with other neurons, which tells the brain to keep them.

I've been on and off DMDs since my diagnosis in 2007.  I haven't really noticed that they improved the quality of my life, but that's not the point - the point is that they're statistically shown to slow progression.  If you're unable to afford them, don't worry - 30% reduction in relapse rate sounds marvelous, but it really doesn't mean much.

[TracyCMT]

The ironic this is that I am a massage therapist and a dance teacher.  I will be starting ballet classes in the fall...i had stopped teaching about 10 years ago and missed very much.  Oh believe me, I am very weary of those so called "miracle cures"....but with no insurance I don't have many other options.  I am also going to start walking a mile or two in the morning..I used to do that but did'nt have a chance over the summer when the kids were home.  I would like to try acupuncture, hoping to find someone to barter a massage with. :)

[doublevision1]

More than anything else, outside of DMDs, my neuro is emphatic about exercise and is especially big on yoga.  Not to halt the disease, but to improve overall health and quality of life, and to relieve secondary symptoms caused by being more sedentary with MS.  So far it's the most effective non-drug thing I've tried to makes me feel better...after I'm done, that is.  Physio has been helpful for balance and coordination.  And sometimes massage helps but again, for secondary symptoms like back pain, not for bunk such as "releasing toxins."  No luck as yet with acupuncture for neuropathic pain but I will try a few more sessions and see how that goes.  $90/HR is a lot if it's not doing anything useful!  I feel better after a pedicure, at half the price. :-)

[Lulu54]

There is nothing wrong with trying the nutritional route and several people here are doing that, but they are also taking traditional MS meds.  There is no scientific proof that any diets work to halt MS, let alone cure it.  Eating healthier, though, is always a good thing.

You will probably have to search the web for more information - be wary of what you read.  There are a lot of snake oil salesmen and women out there who will be happy to take your money for something they swear works.  I just found a 'dr' who offers to be your personal coach and cure you of your MS, for the small fee of just under $5,000 - sounds like quite the bargain if it would work.

Good luck and be sure and let us know what you find out there.
Lulu

[TracyCMT]

Hi Tomas,
Thank you for your response.  I actually am trying to find a MS support group in my area.  I was hoping to connect with some people in my area since I can't travel too far, and hopefully by word of mouth, maybe I can find a nutritionist or homeopathic doctor who specializes in MS.  
The hardest thing is that my "gang" are a meat and potatoes kinda family and do not have any interest in anything healthy!! I know that is not good, but hubby is the worse.  So I really need to find someone who can also educate me on a more healthy lifestyle which hopefully may be help me with my ms.
Thanks again!!
Tracy

[tomas2729]

I guess this site does not like the word I used in the first line........ How about "stinks...." :)

[tomas2729]

Hi Tracy,

First off I am sorry that you have MS. The disease pretty much *****!

In all of the research I have done on MS I have come accross many different "natural" treatment options. Like you mentioned, some of these do confilct. The one thing that I have found in all of my reading is the disease is different for everybody and so is treatment. One thing will work for one person and will not for another.

I have not read many books on the subject at this point..... There is a Dr. by the name of Terry Wahls (I think that's how you spell her name...) who reversed her MS with a hunter gatherer diet (you can see her stuff on youtube.) She eats only berries, seaweed, grain fed meats, etc. She went from being almost totally crippled to almost totally normal in a matter of years. (I do want to be careful in using her for an example because this type of a diet does not work for everyone.)

Is there anyway that you can talk with a nutrutionist? They will be able to tell you the best foods and dietary suppliments for MS. I hope that you find the answers that you are looking for.

Best,

Tom