Hi all
Been meaning to post this question for a long time but wary of the responses I may get; it’s in your head, stress etc! But after 4 years I’m convinced (for me at least) that I’m on to something.
I was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 2014 at the grand young age of 45. Looking back there were signs for years that I put down to age, stress, work etc. My deterioration over the last 5 years has been variable; first 2 years very dramatic then I plat-owed for a years or so, then a few new and unwelcome symptoms. Each time a new issue arises it takes awhile to come to terms with (I’m sure many of you know what I’m talking about). To give you an overall picture I suffer the following symptoms:
Motability - walking, gait and balance issues that vary from not too bad to can hardly walk. Falling has become an art form!
Pain - initially just in legs, nowadays hands and torso. Varying from burning sensations, pins and needles to extreme stabbing pains.
Bladder - intermittent bladder issues leave me vulnerable. So can visit bathroom feel like I’m finished and then 10-15 mins later bladder empties with no warning. Alternatively, have the feeling of wanting to go and can be in the bathroom with that feeling for 30 minutes with nothing happening.
Breathing and Swallowing - when MS is really bad, randomly my throat muscles contract to the point of not being able to breathe. If I’m not mindful when eating I have a tendency to choke.
Fatigue - we all know the MS fatigue issue.
Sleep - I wish. I probably get 2 nights a week where I actually get 6-7 hours sleep.
A few other minor not worth mentioning issues that pale into insignificance.
Finally onto the point of my post (thought it important to give some history). The year following my diagnosis I went to Italy for 2 weeks holiday with my family. With a couple of days my symptoms reduced significantly and remained that way for the duration of the holiday; sadly everything returned to normal (so to speak) almost immediately on my return to the Uk. Discussing this at the time with friends and Doctors everyone believed this was due to being on holiday, relaxing and no stress.And to a point, I thought this was probably the case.
The following year we went on holiday to Sicily (even further south) and its no exaggeration but physically I was even better, and again this happened within a couple of days. My family were stunned when I was running around on the top of Mount Etna! I felt like I was on a high (forgive the pun) at the top of Mount Etna, my body felt amazing! I know there is something to do with electro-magnetic fields around volcanoes and this too has crossed my mind.
Again my symptoms retuned with a vengeance on my return to the Uk. Since my diagnosis I have been to Italy twice, southern Spain, Croatia and Holland. Every time there has been a varying reduction in my symptoms except when we went to Holland (Amsterdam). This got me thinking, and when myself and my partner looked back it appears the further south we travel the better my symptoms. However, when spending a few days in Amsterdam I got no benefit whatsoever, in fact due to the effort of travelling I was probably worst. It appears to me that my MS is affected by the environment.
I am currently under Bristol Brain Centre and when I mentioned this to my consultant (thinking he would poo-poo me) he stated that he had other patients that had stated similar but could offer no explanation. The benefits I get when in Southern Europe are very real; I walk better, my bladder issues are non-existent, I have very little fatigue, a massive reduction in pain and sleep well.
What I am asking you guys is, do any of you experience this phenomena? Or something similar. If so please let me know. I honestly don’t believe this is some form of placebo or mind over matter; it’s a physical fact that further south I go the less I experience my symptoms.
It’s quite a long article and I don’t think I’d be allowed to post on here, but it does go quite a way into explaining geographical differences…so I’ll send it privately. Elaine