Can Do MS

As the holiday season approaches, we look forward to fun times with family and friends—and food as the centerpiece to all celebrations. But if just the thought of holiday entertaining seems overwhelming and exhausting, don’t despair. These four simple strategies can help you relax more and stress less.

Many people find fatigue to be one of the most complex and challenging of the symptoms they face with MS. It is often called an “invisible” symptom since it cannot be seen on its own. To make matters worse, friends, family, and associates may not understand the severity of MS fatigue and expect you to simply “push through it.”

Everyone has down days and times of feeling sad or blue, but people living with MS have more than their fair share. In fact, the rate of clinical depression is higher in MS than in the general population, as well as higher than in most chronic illnesses. The numbers are similar to those seen in other neuro-inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease), suggestin...

Living with multiple sclerosis demands incredible patience and resilience in both the person living with MS and his/her support partner. Symptoms may change from hour to hour, day to day, or month to month. The continuous process of adaptation that the disease requires can be both emotionally and physically exhausting, as one is constantly working to achieve the “new normal.” The demand for adapta...

Feelings of frustration, annoyance and outright anger are common occurrences in everyday life. Add MS to the equation, and it’s even more likely that people will have differences of opinion and conflicts. Some examples of these conflicts can be about how things are done, division of responsibilities, activities and making decisions. Under these circumstances, it would be the rare person who never...

Adaptations during exercise and sport can become very useful when living with MS. Often times, we are not able to exercise the same. Maintaining an exercise program with MS is important as research suggests, but it is how one exercises that is imperative. As the saying goes, it is easier said than done. When we think of exercise, many automatically think the gym, but there are many resources that...

Cognition and communication challenges affect approximately 50-66% of those with MS. Impairment can range from mild to severe, but most MS-related cognitive changes fall in the mild to moderate range. However, even subtle changes in cognition can be distressing and can have a significant impact on daily function. Cognitive changes and fatigue are more common reasons for people with MS to leave the...

The words “progressive MS” can set off alarm bells. No one wants to hear that his or her MS is, or has become, progressive. The term “progressive MS” applies to different aspects of the disease, and it helps to know how it is being used.

Are falls an integral part of your MS experience? They don’t need to be. Are you afraid of falling , and therefore, avoiding activities? Do people tell you you’re overestimating your abilities and being unsafe?

Some people with MS fly solo by choice, some by circumstance and others for a combination of reasons. In whichever way people find themselves flying solo with MS, it seems to help if they view this unanticipated life event as a series of challenges (rather than threats). MS provides opportunity (and a kick in the butt) to pursue a healthier lifestyle, plan ahead and exercise more control over vari...

There are few things as discouraging as feeling like you cannot keep up with your daily life and the mountain of “stuff” you have to do. These days, people live busy lives, and people living with MS have even more to organize – such as appointments, paperwork, medication schedules, to name a few. On top of that, MS fatigue can make it even more difficult to keep up. The good news is: There are man...

Managing your MS is more than making doctor appointments, taking medications and using your energy to perform the activities that “should be done”. Making time for the activities that bring joy and fulfillment are important to improve health and overall well-being. Finding solutions that help you reclaim the things you love and enhance the manageability of everyday life can be easy as ABC.

‘Intimacy’ isn’t just about sexual feelings and sexual activity – although that’s one important part we’ll talk about later. Intimacy is about effective communication, trust and respect, shared values and expectations, and a balanced give-and take. Maintaining intimacy can be difficult in any relationship, but the stresses of MS – its unpredictability, progressive nature, complex symptoms, and fin...

Fitness is often associated with exercise. While exercise or physical activity is now advised for everyone, having MS can make meeting recommended exercise guidelines challenging. But is it really that important if someone has a chronic disease like MS? The short answer is. . . YES! Lack of exercise is associated with heart disease, cancers, metabolic diseases, hypertension, low bone density, all-...

Learning how to manage the physical changes you may experience as a newly diagnosed person living with MS can be a major challenge. An important key to handling these changes is to develop the right mindset. Your mindset helps you deal with the changes in your life and your lifestyle. A component of developing a good mindset includes understanding the importance of keeping a balanced lifestyle.

The demands of either MS or parenting can be challenging, but when experienced together, it is not unusual for people to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Add to this, unpredictable and fluctuating MS symptoms that can interfere with fun activities and make it difficult to carry out your daily responsibilities (even disciplining your children). The good news is that there is a lot you can do to limit...

The spring/summer travel season is fast approaching!! What are your plans? Perhaps attending a family reunion, dipping your toes in the surf and sand, or traveling to that “bucket list” location you have so long wanted to enjoy are your summer travel goals? Maybe you just want to relax and “get away from it all” with the family, or use up your well-earned vacation time from work? Wait no longer….....

Have you ever wondered if there was a novel approach to manage one or more of your MS symptoms? Adequate symptom management is key is living well with your MS. There are a variety of approaches to managing your symptoms: prescription and over the counter medications, complementary and alternative medicine, rehabilitation, and other self-help strategies. In this article we are going to explore a fe...

Multiple sclerosis relapses may occur unpredictably, and sometimes, persons with MS aren’t sure whether they are having one. Generally, a relapse is defined as new or worsening MS symptoms that last for more than 24 hours that are not associated with any other illness or infection. It is important to report new symptoms to your health care provider so that the appropriate treatment can be initiate...

Some symptoms in MS such as changes in mood and cognition seem to be more challenging than other symptoms for individuals with MS and the people who care about them. There are several factors that likely contribute to the challenging nature of these symptoms. The good news is that there is much that can be done to reduce the severity of the symptoms and their negative impact and improve function.

Sometimes information communicated to you by your health care providers can be difficult to understand. When you don’t fully understand or are unable to act on information about your health care, you are more likely to develop poorer health. Developing a positive relationship with your doctor or nurse, and improving communication, are two keys which will empower you to live well with your MS. Comm...

Healthy productive communication abilities are not inherent. They are learned and developed. Our life experiences frame the foundation for how we perceive each other and form relationships. Healthy relationships depend on good communication, mutual respect and trust. Communication is far more than the words we speak. The way we say the words and how they are received impact the success of the mess...

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease, which affects the function of the brain, spinal cord and/or the nerves to the eyes. Many patients who suffer from MS look for ways to improve and increase their quality of lives. Good nutrition is among the cornerstones of health-promotion activities. Maintaining a balanced diet and exercising regularly are essential for promoting wellness and well-bei...