Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

Chocolate has some interesting chemical properties. It has an impact on Mono-amino-oxidase, though I dont think its technically an MAOI. It contains caffeine and theobromine, and a number of other mild drugs. Some people report a worsening of symptoms when they eat any chocolate. A lot of people dont like hearing that, but there is more to it than the saturated fat and anti-oxidants.

If it doesnt affect you negatively, thats great. For those who it does affect, the anti-oxidants and vitamins wont cancel the negative effects out.

Chocolate is good for your state of mind though. I just get instant increase of symptoms when I eat it.

hey everyone :0)
thanks again for your comments and sharing your stories and suggestions.
Happysoul is right in that diet and exercise do help but sometimes they are a struggle! i've been in spots where i can't even walk so...but it pays off when i consistently do (walk, yoga, etc..)
and yeah, we each gotta find what works for us individually.
i am looking into a lot diet/nutrition wise and reading all the posts is great. i am feeling small differences in my body already after a week off gluten, but no, i'm not symptom free. i expect it will take awhile to see/feel the greater differences from the dietary changes i'm making. it's all good.
ah Sentient! sorry you can't enjoy chocolate! i like the dark stuff myself.
hugs and best to all.

I'm just wondering if anyone has ordered gluten free products and can offer recommendations. The stores near me carry very little and my childrens pediatrician told me today that I need to live in California where it's abundent so I know there is more out there.

BBopsmom,

Bob's Red Mill chocolate chip premix with extra chocolate chips added is DELICIOUS. There chocolate cake mix is tastes good too if you add fresca and pudding. It just does not raise as much as a normal wheat flour cake.

Do NOT buy any pancake premixes they are awful.

Brown Rice noodles by Tinkyada are good if you do not over cook and eat them that night. They start to get mushy if used the next day and are not fit to eat after they are frozen.

Baked Corn chips and corn tortillas are good to make taco/salad but good to wrap BLTs, tuna melts etc.

I make muffins with flaxseed meal from Bob's red mill & it had recipe on back. I modify it a bit with Quinoa (non-gluten) flour and brown rice powder instead of wheat flour. I add a crushed nut/B.sugar/Cinnamon crumble to the top. My hubby eats two every morning with coffee for his breakfast. It keeps him regular too.

Best wishes to you in lowering the gluten in your diet. It is healthier for your liver, kidneys, pancreas, GI and over all health.
EP

I have been eating gluten-free for 8 years, because if I accidently eat it now, it is like poison in my body. I get so sick. I have had to cut way back on dairy because I am allergic to it. I feel soooo much better with the change in diet. Diet alone, did not stop my relapses.
I get most gluten-free foods at Fred Meyer (cheaper than specialty health food stores) and through an On-line company azurestandard.com. Tinkyada pasta is great! I like Mesa Sunrise Cereal. Namaste baking mixes are wonderful! I also like Pamela's and Gluten-free Mama's pancake mixes, but I stopped eating Pamela's because it has dairy in it. Gluten-free Pantry's bread mixes are pretty good in a bread machine. Kinnekinick (spelling?) has wonderful frozen baked goods. I used their flat pizza bread to make a wonderful Panini sandwich. They also have things like "english muffins" that I use to make sandwiches or use for burgers and they have decent cinnamon rolls. The thing about gluten-free breads/pastries is if you are going to enjoy them, you need to toast or microwave them. I truly miss my Mom's cinnamon carmel rolls, but I'll take these as the best substitute I can find. There really are a lot of options if you get creative. There are many cookbooks out there now too. Also more restaurants are having gluten-free menus (although I wish there were more)

I haven't changed my diet but I do exercise! The exercise has changed my life so much that some days, I can't believe it. I do strength training and balance exercises. I highly recommend those!!

I went to see a homeopath this morning, largely because I'd seen advice from people on this site about checking what supplements my body required. Then coupled with a recommendation for this person from someone I trust and starting betaferon tomorrow, I thought the time was right to check what's going on.

I've been recommended to take L-glutamine, HCL and B-complex as supplements, to assist with gut health and general health, such as stress levels. (I didn't know this, but apparently people with MS 'can' be susceptible to things like 'leaky gut'). She's looking to keep my gut healthy so I absorb nutrients from the food as efficiently as possible.

She's also going off to investigate suitable homeopathic treatments to aid my energy levels, including a suitable herbal tea.

The above are mostly for a short-term boost and we'll judge my levels in 8 weeks to see if the dosage needs to change or even stop.

In addition, she identified foods that are a problem to me (not necessarily because of the MS) - wheat and dairy being the main ones. One interesting point was suggesting that i increase my protein levels to assist with muscle recovery (still fighting off the recent flare).

I'm not saying I will religiously follow all of the advice ad infinitum, but having paid the money to see her and ask her advice, I'm going to follow it for the next 8 weeks and see what difference I notice. After that, we'll see what happens. Just thought I'd share it as there seemed to be some good general MS health snippets in there.