Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmunity disease of the central nervous system that impacts various functions within your body – from your brain and spinal cord, vision and sensation, balance sense to sense of balance skeletal muscular movement and more. It is sadly a very debilitating disease that nearly 2 million people live with worldwide.
These symptoms happen when the brain mistakenly attacks one’s entire nervous system; why this happens is still widely unknown.
Unfortunately, this disease cannot be cured; rather it remains an irreparable lifelong condition which may result in disability and chronic discomfort that impacts on every aspect of life.
Years of research and case studies have taught us that living and thriving with MS is possible, with this comprehensive guide on how to live a fulfilling life while living successfully with MS.
Adopting a Mindset to Thrive under Adversity
Receiving a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis can be devastating for the patient. More often than not, there is very little awareness about this disease as it affects so few people in the population.
Also, since this affects so few people statistically, nobody expects such a thing to happen to them (as they shouldn’t either). So, receiving the news can be a huge blow to the patient’s mindset and psyche.
However, once the initial shock of the news dissipates, we recommend that the patient delves into some inner work on self-care and starts adopting a mindset to thrive under adversity. It requires reprogramming the thoughts that come to mind and not letting them take over your emotions.
You must also reprogram the perspective of how we view life. No doubt, the news is life-altering, but it is by no means a death sentence.
Start by researching life after ‘MS’ online, and look into the mindset that support groups talk about. That would help adopt the mentality that many people live with similar (or far worse) adversities. Try to find what you can learn from them, adopt, and move forward with a more positive life.
Managing Pain
One of the first and biggest symptoms you will notice with Multiple Sclerosis is pain. The baseline for pain and fatigue will be chronically higher in patients with MS.
The pain experienced by patients with MS includes tingling, electrical itching, jabbing, and burning sensations. Consult your physical for effective pain relief medication to deal with this neuropathic pain.
You can also look into medically prescribed cannabis, which is known to be extremely effective in managing chronic pain. With the legalization of marijuana (especially for medical purposes), wholesale THCa flower is readily available to be ordered online.
The use of cannabis is a learning curve, and we recommend you consult with some experts in finding the appropriate dosing, method, and use. You must also consult your current jurisdiction to ensure medical marijuana is legally allowed before you go down that route.
Managing Fatigue
Fatigue is another common symptom of MS that affects one’s daily life. The feeling of lack of energy can be debilitating while conducting the most mundane daily tasks of life – like walking, exercising, cooking, cleaning, grooming, etc.
To manage fatigue, conserve your energy throughout the day and break the tasks you need to do to live independently in small chunks so you can easily carry out small tasks throughout the day without feeling extreme fatigue.
You can also delegate the more energy-intensive tasks to friends and family or neighbors or even delivery services so you can minimize the tasks you need to do daily.
Be sure to get plenty of rest throughout the day with small naps, and ensure you are well rested at night. You must also improve your sleep hygiene.
You can also look into sleep meditations and sleep apps to help you improve your sleep. Some common tips are keeping a consistent sleep schedule, minimizing the light and sound pollution in your bedroom, and removing all distractions.
Fully Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle
One of the key components of thriving with any chronic condition is fully embracing a healthy lifestyle. Your diet should be rich in nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, and whole grains.
The polyphenols and antioxidants in colorful vegetables have incredible cell regenerative and healing properties that will aid in the overall improvement of your physical health.
Healthy fats like omega-3-rich salmon and olive oil will also help keep your neurological system in optimal condition and improve brain health.
Lean protein-rich food will help maintain your muscle mass, while vitamin D and calcium-rich food will keep your bones stronger.
Dieting will play an essential part in maintaining energy levels and functioning vital organs efficiently; but mobility exercises, strength training and cardio exercises like walking will help protect mobility, agility and strength as well as maintain them over time.
Fully embracing a healthy lifestyle will also do wonders for your mental health and give you the mental strength to continue to thrive despite MS.
Making Mental Health a Priority
Living with Multiple Sclerosis will undoubtedly have an adverse impact on your mental wellbeing, so prioritising mental wellbeing must become part of your care strategy to thrive while dealing with MS.
Develop strong social bonds, maintain an engaging social life, and find community support from others facing similar circumstances as you to maintain mental and emotional wellness.
Contacting friends and family and asking them for emotional support could be your first step toward building an expansive social network.
If you didn’t have hobbies before, finding hobbies and activities to stay in a positive mental state will be critical.
Neuroaesthetics is a phenomenon where indulging in aesthetically pleasing art, craft, and activities can regenerate neuro pathways that can drastically improve your neurological and mental health.
Practicing meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can help manage the emotional impact of living with this health disorder, so consider incorporating these activities into your daily routine.
Modify The Physical Environment Around You
Multiple Sclerosis may impede on your physical abilities and have an effect on how you live your daily life, necessitating you to adapt or modify both at work and home environments accordingly.
Installing handrails, grabbars, and mobility ramps around your physical surroundings will help you overcome the mobility challenges from Multiple Sclerosis-related impairments.
Consider some major changes around your home furnishings, and minimize your belongings and clutter. The more simplified your closet, organizers, kitchen cabinets, pantry, and bookshelves are, the better your navigation will be around the home and at work.
Technology has done wonders when it comes to support for those who are physically impaired. Voice-activated commands to close blinds, turn on lights, and adjust your air conditioning can all minimize the number of times you need to get up and physically do these chores.
Try Alternative Therapies
While modern medicine has made tremendous strides over the decades, there is still no cure for multiple sclerosis. You can only manage the symptoms with medications and therapies.
Therefore, it would be wise to research and adapt alternative therapies that may provide more of a relief from symptoms than just medication.
Many patients find much-needed relief from massage therapy, physiotherapy, naturopathy, osteopathy, and even ancient traditional herbal supplements.
Do your research and try out these alternative therapies to see if any of them provide you with some relief from the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Manage Your Goals and Expectations
As your abilities change and the symptoms of MS set in, it is important to journal and manage your goals and expectations.
Finding a sense of accomplishment in successfully carrying out an activity to completion, rewarding yourself for it, and setting your goals to help you get more wins will go a long way in keeping you positive.
This can be a step to embrace the new reality and thrive. Be sure to stay flexible and focused on what you can accomplish as opposed to dwelling on the limitations of what you can no longer do because of MS.
Advocate For Your Healthcare
Last, our final piece of advice is for you to advocate for yourself when it comes to healthcare needs. Stay abreast of current research studies related to multiple sclerosis and conduct your own investigations before communicating with healthcare providers, employers and professionals regarding any needs or concerns that you might have regarding treatment and medications.
Understanding your condition is an incredibly empowering feeling, and being actively involved in your healthcare decisions will help you thrive.
Conclusion
You can thrive and live a full life with Multiple Sclerosis. It requires a multi-faceted approach, from adopting a positive mindset to managing your mental health and emotional well-being and so much more.
You must also explore alternative therapies and advocate for your healthcare needs. The guide we provided will help you live a fulfilling life with MS.
