Hey I have had symptoms since late 2019 and diagnosed April 2024. I get so confused with pushing through and training to live more active and having a realistic positive attitude but my body just doesn’t always want to work.
I’ve been up and down but have noticed have avoided days out so have recently invested in a scooter to help with getting around more effortlessly but at the same time feel like a failure or scared of giving up.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar and people seem to have an opinion about you can heal anything which really does confuse me.
I think that setting expectations is important here. Will exercise reverse permanent MS damage? No it won’t. Will exercise let you make the most of your remaining capabilities and help you to live your best life? Yes, it probably will. That’s the way I try to look at it anyway.
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I agree, exercise won’t undo previous damage but by doing regular exercise now, many years after my diagnosis, I feel I am giving myself the best chance for the future. Having said that, regular work at the gym has improved my drop foot to the point where it rarely troubles me but that might have happened anyway.
I just wish I had discovered the gym decades ago. But no exercise is wasted and mostly I enjoy it now. Important to pace yourself and not overdo it.
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Most of us MSers have limited energy, so using a scooter to get around is perfectly good common sense. Better to use your precious energy on maintaining muscle strength, as this will help to keep what you have for longer.
Don’t waste any time listening to the ignorant opinion of others and just trust what your body is telling you instead.
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Morning Haley, I totally understand the feeling like giving up by getting a scooter but I can honestly say it has been the best thing I did.
I can now join the family when they go on walks (I just scoot along beside them).
I can go shopping with them and instead of saying no thanks to various invites over the last few years, I can now go to everything.
MS really does mess things up but continuing to do what you can when you can is my aim.
I tend not to think what I can’t do but focus on what I still can.
Be kind to yourself.
Much love
Maryx
o
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Hi Hayley. My thoughts echo those of the others. Sorry to be blunt ( to the point of brutal) but you cannot heal anything (with the medical right treatment a lot of things can be healed/ cured but there is no cure for MS!!). The best we can do is support our body in dealing with MS and definitely maintaining a healthy body . To me this does not mean ‘pushing through’.
Exercise yes - but don’t overdo it ! As I understand it regular periods of aerobic exercise ( swimming, walking and if you can running ) plus some resistance training is definitely good but again don’t overdo and stress your body.
Along with exercise, following a healthy diet is also recommended ( lots of stuff on this ).
Personally, I also recommend mindfulness/ meditation to ‘calm and relax the mind ‘or just listen to relaxing music , spend time in nature etc Easier said than done but try not to stress and get anxious about MS .
I think that the general guide of ‘what’s good for the heart is good for the brain’ is a something to follow.
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Thank you this is helpful
Thank you this is kind
Thank you this is helpful
Thank you so much
Thanks very much this is a true statement
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