Hi there.
I’ve been diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS for four years, and have been relatively ‘lucky’ until recently when a bout of vertigo has realy played havoc with my entire life… I have felt it returning over the last few days, and finally it is hitting home today - feeling sick, headachy, dizzy, tired, bleurgh… Anyway - the point of my post is to see what sort of ‘diets/lifestyles’ people are following? this is something I’m just looking into, but I feel it might be a way for me to gain some control over my symptoms. I recently lost 20lb on Weight Watchers during a ‘remitting’ faze (then promptly put it back on when the fatigue set in a couple of months ago), but while I was eating much more carefully I found a real improvement with my overall wellbeing.
I’d be really interested to see what any of you are doing to relieve your own symptoms? including supplements etc.
Thanks x
Hi, there are certain diets some folk with MS swear by.
I guess they`ll be along to tell you about them soon.
i`ve always battled with weight. 20 years ago, I lost 7 st with WW. I went to work for them and kept it off for 5 years. it started to creep back on du to MS like problems.
Plus I have been a full time wheelie user for going on 9 years now, so that doesn`t help.
I am currently following Slimming World`s diet. I have found it much better than WW. I reckon I have lost about 2 stone, so it is working.
By the way, I dont have MS, but something with similar symptoms.
luv Pollx
There are lots of diets touted on the internet for MS; none have proper evidence to support them.
It makes sense to keep as fit and healthy as possible - making sure that our bodies have the right fuel to heal and protect themselves from MS. But diet alone will not make a massive difference to MS.
As far as supplements go, the only one with evidence that supports its use in MS is vitamin D. Most neuros are now recommending that we take a supplement, but the amount is variable. The best thing to do appears to be to get blood tests and then adjust your supplementation to get to and then stay at about 125-150nmol/l.
I also take vitamin B12 because, although there is no evidence it helps MS, it won’t hurt and just might help with cell repair.
I recommend you get a referral to neurophysio about your vertigo. They can show you exercises that can make a massive difference to some people. There are also meds that can help (e.g. stemetil). Your GP or MS nurse should be able to help.
Karen x
Thanks ladies,
Although they dont really have any evidence to support them, I’m thinking/hoping any positive diet change can only be a good thing… Ive got Stemetil, but they’re taking their time to kick in. Really feeling the need to do anything I can to get back some sort of control of my body…
the neurophysio option sounds good, Im seeing my nurse on thursday so hopefully she can shead some light on this.
Amie x
Hi Amie. I was diagnosed 2005 with RRMS, just had dx changed to progressive. Im very lucky, although things getting worse, I believe I am still relatively mobile due to my diet. I have always followed a diet full of veg, fruit, turkey, chicken etc, the usual healthy stuff, however I am no saint!! My fav tiple is cider, apple or pear, could argue is part of 5 aday!!! The rule I have followed for years is the 80/20 one, good most of the time bad some of it!!! If you want to try a healthy diet & it makes you feel better, go for it. A healthy diet is important to everyone, with or without illness. I do still have the horrible symptoms you describe though, dont think theres a quick fix for it, mind you thats where cider comes in!!! Take care Tracey xx
Hi Amie,
I think that a good diet is very important whether you have MS or not. I can think of two instances where diet has improved my symptoms. I had really bad sinusitis three years ago, had it for three months, felt really horrible every day and had a really stressful job on top of it, scoured the internet for any gems of wisdom and found that milk can increase the amount of mucous, so I cut out milk and my sinusitis got a lot better over the next couple of weeks. I use soya milk. I haven’t had a problem with my sinuses since.
When I had my first bad attack, five years ago, I had seborrheic dermatitis on my face, again the doctors didn’t know what it was, so I had to self diagnose again. I used to use ketoconazole to get rid of it, which works really well. I found out that it is caused by a fungus. Fungus like sugar, so I have really cut down on my sugar intake. I use honey in my tea. The seb derm has got much better over the last few years and I very rarely have to use the ointment now.
I also have developed a wheat intolerance over ythe last few months. If I eat biscuits, my stomach gives me a seriously bad time. I know I have to cut them out but I have such a sweet tooth. 
So, there are times when you can actually help yourself and use your own initiative with some investigative work and make an improvement on your symptoms and general well being.
Hope that this helps,
Adrian x
Adrian, You have hit the nail on the head - finding out what suits you best rather then carrying on eating the same food that is actually causing the harm. Cows milk is known to cause skin problems - especially with children and it makes the body produce too much mucous. And sugary food including fruit and fruit juice can cause a yeast [candida] problem.
l try to stick to the Barry Groves eating plan - the hunter/gatherer way. l eat plenty of protein/fat and very little - and if possible no carbs. Lots of veg/meat/fish/eggs but no grain/bread/biscuits/cakes/cereal - My stomach problems have virtually gone - no more lBS - more energy - and l have lost weight since l added Spirulina to my daily supplements. Cutting out the carbs - has reduced my appetite helped by the spirulina. lf l ate a biscuit or a doughnut l would instantly want to eat the whole packet - and still never feel full.
l do make lots of soup this weather - and l can manage without eating bread with it.
Bacon and eggs or smoked salmon and eggs for breakfast still without bread.
Fx
Good for you F. I feel that I should cut out caffeine as well but I really do like my tea. It is green tea though.
I have porridge for breakfast with blueberries and strawberries with honey. Yummy and keeps me going for hours. I find that salmon really improves my mood and really improves my brain function. I take omega3 but It’s not the same somehow.
I am going try your salmon and eggs in the morning. Sounds really nice. That would go really well with a nice cup of filtered coffee though. Oops.
Adrian x
Adrian, My one ‘luxury’ every morning is a cup of ‘proper’ coffee - not instance. My favourite is from Lidl Bellarom Espresso 100%Arabica. l heat some milk in the microwave and froth it up with my aerolatte gadget then add the coffee that l have made in the cafetier - its easy and quick and well worth doing. Have had several coffee machines in the past but now stick to this simple way of producing really good coffee. l do drink tea - but Redbush - which is naturally caffeine free - and l love the fresh flavour and completely hooked on it.
We have got to have some treats.
Fx