I started the injections of Copaxone right after my diagnosis in 2011. I did it for 2 years and couldn't really tell any difference. So, I stopped them and tried the Wahls' diet. I feel so much better, stronger and more energy, no flares since. As to the question of whether the meds work, I sincerely have my doubts.

Gentle hugs, Linda

Yeah, I'm with Linda, stopped taking the MS treatment and took up the healthier eating, a lot of the Wahls protocol too. What I've heard about the MS drugs is that they don't do anything for current symptoms but the pharmas tout that they may slow progression. I'd rather not take them. My nurse practitioner agrees with me. The side effects aren't worth it for me.

I felt pretty awful when I was taking Rebif a few years back and I almost started it back up and thought better of it. One of the docs kept on me about it for a while.

What I fear most is not eating a healthy diet or getting exercise. I think we have a lot better chance of feeling stronger and healthier if we take measures of our own for our health.

Awesome that you can still work those kind of shifts. I am planning to get back to work after I get my degree and new training. I think it's very helpful to keep active and be productive.

Lorrieonline- please send me the link for the Wahls diet. Thanks!

Marilyn4342,

From what I read, The Wahl's diet used to be 3 cups green veggies (kale, spinach, etc), 3 cups colorful veggies (pumpkin, peppers, etc) and 3 cups of fruits everyday. Allowing for nuts, brown rice and fish a few times a week.

Her diet keeps changing in each book...so I guess it is based in which one you are reading.

ME..me I think if you have an autoimmune disease you need to get tested to find out what your individual food issues are and avoid them. What do I mean? My husband is IgE allergic to kale and spinach...so this diet would mess the hell out of him.

Getting tested to find out what foods/chemicals increase prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs). As these are the chemicals (PGs & LTs) that cause inflammation and are blocked by steroids. Only in avoiding the foods that cause the problem you don't have to take or deal with the side effects of steroids. A test to find out if foods are causing cytokines like IL-7 that trigger T-cells. You know the cells doing damage to your body. I kind a think these are the foods/chemicals that CONTRIBUTE to your illness that you should avoid to help you. Once you know the foods to avoid then eat the other fruits, veggies, grains and white meat that are really healthy for YOU individually.

Best wishes,
EP

Yes, I've discovered that like EP's husband, there are different issues with different foods. For example, anyone with any thyroid condition need not eat raw kale or spinach. There's not really a link to the Wahls Protocol although there are some recipes on different sites such as this one.
http://www.phoenixhelix.com/2013/04/08/wahls-veggie-protocol-qa/

Tom- I take the meds cuz I am fearful of what it would be like if I didn't take them. I know when I don't take my muscle relaxer baclofen my legs are so stiff I can barely bend them. I supplement with vitamins. Hopefully the combination of prescription and nonprescription find a happy medium somewhere. A positive attitude doesn't hurt either!

I take the meds because I know first-hand that they work for me.

I can attest that the right DMD does work to keep symptoms stable, at least for me. I've been on Betaseron for six years. I went off it once to try Tecfidera, and within two weeks my walking was much worse and my brain had turned to mush. Once back on the Betaseron I was back to my "new normal" within about two weeks.

I also take Ampyra, didn't notice any change until six months later when I took it with 250 mg magnesium. Three days later my walking was MUCH improved. And some days I take an extra Baclofen or two when the spasticity gets to me, and it calms my legs down.

In the six years since my dx, I've gone from being ambulatory without assistance, to using a cane, and now I have an ankle foot orthotic (AFO). Especially with my one experience of not taking Betaseron to try something else, I shudder to think where I'd be if I hadn't been taking Betaseron.

Jill

we are all so different. i was on betaseon and cellcept for years and was fine, then went downhill fast. was in my 30s in and out of a nursing home. then had hsct. i NEEDED the chemo. diet change will not cut it for some of us. if interested my short hsct story....https://vimeo.com/130065935
btw two years post hsct. on no ms med, shrinkage of some lesions and i can walk!