Atta boy thread
 

I think we need to step back, take a moment and congratulate ourselves for all we do to try to minimize the effects of this disease.

Let's share one thing that we've done that has made a difference.

The "Melt" method is a self treatment system that involves using rubber ball to massage your hands and feet.

It helped to relieve pain in the bottoms of my feet, re-awaken the sensation in to bottoms of my feet and as a result improved my balance. I can stand now with my eyes closed and not wobble.

Not promoting this is any way, simply sharing one of many things I have tried to positively impact myself.

Let's give ourselves some kudos

Good one Jules.:). I've been, religiously, doing my PT & OT lessons, learned
from my Physiatrist, while in the hospital, over two years ago. I'm not getting
any stronger, but am retaining my regained strength, at the time.

Yes, I am happy with myself. Pat pat pat.:D

“You are free to choose, but you are not free to alter the consequences of your decisions.”


― Ezra Taft Benson

I would have to say that the most beneficial thing over all for me has been meditation. I have been meditating several times every day for 32 years. Sometimes sessions are short and sometimes they are long, but it has become an integral part of my life. While it sometimes does ease symptoms, it always helps to put things into perspective; and not just MS things.

So much so, that meditation is more important to me than eating or sleeping. It is automatic now, and I will meditate, even if briefly, when I first wake from my slumber, before I think about what my next meal will consist of and before going to sleep.

Without those pauses throughout the day and night, I think that I would be a much different person than I am now...and it wouldn't be a person that I would like very much, or would like to spend time with :winky:.

While I am a massive supporter of proper scientific approach and presentation, science has not explained my existence, or my ability to attain consciousness, or many other things; meaning that I am, like Einstein said, "…convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe - a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we, with our modest powers must feel humble."

However, my beloved scientist also said that, "Science without religion is lame; Religion without science is blind."

With love, Erika

I new there was something about that Einstein guyI liked..:D

Exercise, exercise and exercise some more. Try really, really hard to have a better diet

Feeling the positive energy of everyone's efforts- Thank you all for sharing

Doing my own version of PT to strengthen my legs and hopefully help with balance. I have to take a short flight of stairs several times a day. When coming up I try hard not to use my hands on the rails, thus relying on my leg movement. Yes, I take it slow!

What got me started on this is that I'm part of a group planning to hike up Pike's Peak in 2015.

Plus, I really love my chiropractor! I'm walking better and don't experience a painful neck twinge that has plagued me for years, long before MS.

Good thread! :)

Giving up meat and sugar. I eat a plant-based diet and it has helped my overall health immensely. No more tummy aches....acid reflux, etc. It takes some getting used to but it has helped me feel better and helped my food budget, too!

Sugar- I love sugar!! It is one of the hardest things to give up.

My MS friends, you do very well! I am impressed.

I've talked before about what I do, PT, diet.

New thing since October is seeing a psychologist. She accepts Medicare, only one in town who does, and she is an intuitive person, and a kind person. So I started to dream again, and had a good dream last weekend, a very symbolic dream about the Bread of Life and much more. I belonged to a Jungian dream group in Seattle many years ago, and I learned the value of looking at dreams--but it can be difficult, too. So pat pat to me for trying to remain sane until the end, which is my goal, even though I'm not sure I will do so, being so alone without my husband. I have survived over five years without my soul mate.

Mariel,

Though my husband's body passed away 9 years ago, I still talk to him and probably always will. When he was here in the body we were very connected, as such good friends often are. That friendship has remained and although some might say that I am delusional for doing so, thinking of him as being near has helped me through rough patches and many a long night.

To the nay sayers, I say prove it. Of course they can't, just as I can't prove that he is with me in consciousness...so why not believe in the more beneficial option? :winky:.

With love, Erika

Wow. Courage and strength and determination. Thank you.

enjoy this image
 

for a smile and sigh of relief for all we do for our health and life

http://wonderingaround.me/2013/11/13...an-vs-reality/

HAHA, loved it, using it.:D

Erika my parents died in 1998 and 2011. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't talk to them out loud all the time. They will always be with me because I am who I am because of them

Gosh Erika/Doydie

Both my parents died in 2001 (the same year as I was diagnosed) - I have lost count of the conversations I have had with them over the years since. I would even go so far as to call them my guardian angels now - they were beside me when I was wheeled in to theatre for aneurysm surgery in 2004 - and I feel them protecting me even now.

I have learned to accept that I need to use certain tools and equipment (w/c, AFOs. bathroom rails etc). I may not like to use them- but I have come to accept that it helps me in the long run to fight the effets of my MS, as much as possible.

Part of me still believes that denial is a coping mechanism that works for me. When I dwell on the various maladies that MS brings, they seem worse.

My neuro seems to be in denial about what MS has become in my body...still tells me "extremely mild" form of MS. So I go with that and push through whatever MS is trying to do to me...most of the time:rolleyes:

Debbie,

Mild, moderate and severe are relative to what one is taking into consideration. Your doc may be considering a comparison to someone who has what he perceives to be severe disease, while you on the other hand may be considering the level of life-style impact that your symptoms have on you & your life.

You might ask him "Very mild disease compared to what?" or "On what do you base that assertion?"

Its like when advertisements say things like "Our tires stop on ice better." Better than what? A ski? :D

With love, Erika

As long as I can walk (even if it isn't gracefully, and can be slowly and ungainly), speak and be understood, follow some kind of logical plan, clean up after myself, and get to the bathroom in time (at least on most occasions) I will continue to consider myself mildly affected.

If I think any other way, I feel like I have an excuse to stop trying. That doesn't mean I think others should be the same - it's just how I get through from one day to the next. I know that so many of you have it much worse than me and I would never want to discount what you go through.

At the moment, my focus is on PT - getting my back problems right, and hopefully getting stronger and living without falls.

My doctor concedes that the disability scales used are lacking. I told him at my last appt that I felt I was doing much better. He said that he'd still classify me as 'moderate' but that that scale meant less than how I was feeling.

They are useful guides for some things, but how we feel inside is the what matters most. keep on keeping on!