Will not do the drugs...

I have MS. It was "discovered" in2004 but it believe I have had it since my 20's I am now 70. I have taken no medications but have changed my eating and life style. Due to a bad relapse I stopped exercising but am now ready to go back.

[Midgey_Midge06]

I am scared of going back on the ms meds.

[Hidden in reply to Midgey_Midge06]

Don't listen to what other find best for them, do what is best for you.....

[Midgey_Midge06 in reply to Hidden]

True.

[greaterexp]

Welcome to a great place filled with supportive people. I'm glad you found us.

You'll find that this is a varied group who take many different approaches to dealing with our disease. We all try hard to weigh the benefits vs risks of any treatment, whether traditional medicine or other kind.

I'm happy you've found a lifestyle that works for you and that you've joined us here to share more about your experiences.

[Jazzyinco]

Welcome kittin😻 to our wonderful supportive family of warriorz MSers! I do not take the RX either, i am managing & may even reverse it!!💜💙❤👍😻😍 all Naturall! Dr. Teri Wahls Proticol.. Many Blessings---Jazzyinco

[barbaradonnahoe]

I don't take the meds either. I was diagnosed in 07, but hindsight tells me I've had this for a long time. I'm 64 and try to follow Dr. Teri Wahls diet. When I was diagnosed I was told very matter of factly that I would be in a wheelchair in ten years. Well I'm not. I exercise as much as possible and walk as far as I can. Good luck to you.

[Fancy1959]

Hello Kitty and Welcome to our extended family from Fancy1959. I found a place to come and ask questions, seek information, voice concerns, for simply speak to others who truly understand.

Now I would like to talk a little bit about your choice about not taking drugs. It is always a personal choice and are the best advocates for our own health and I want you to keep that in the front of your mind. Now the relapse recovering from was hard enough on you that you had to stop exercising. So it sounds as if it wasn't a small or insignificant relapse. Am I correct? What I want to pose to you, is no matter if you're in your 70s do you see a future for the next 10 or 20 years where you're active and mobile? I see my future and I just turned 59 but I plan to see my future grandchildren grow up and to grow old with my husband well into my 80s and Beyond. The only reason I plan and see that future as a realistic goal now is I have gotten on a new DMT and I've had my first MRI in years were there absolutely no active disease or new lesions! In other words my disability is not increasing and I hope to be getting stronger as soon as I get my knee fixed that is on the fritz. There are new dmts coming out at a never-before-seen rate today. Our DMT, kitten are our safety nets that protect us from the silent sneaky relapses that occur with this monster we deal with and helps to keep are disability in check. Again it's personal choice whether you want to take drugs but ask yourself this question did you enjoy your last relapse? Do you want to continue to have relapses? I know personally relapses tend to scare me because you never know if the new next relapse hits in just the right spot, silently,and takes away my mobility and / or walking ability. Or maybe it will hit my esophagus and take away my ability to swallow. Then there's always the joy of cognitive decline because your relapses are silently in your brain and for some reason you can't figure out you can't remember words you want to say, you can't remember people's names, you forget how to do simple things that you used to do all the time. Kitten I am not willing to go down without a fight. Again it's your personal choice but think long and hard about the possibilities of what might happen if you leave this monster run amok without putting up any type of fight to save your central nervous system.

This is simply food for thought. I am not trying to scare you to death. I just want you to think about the possibilities of what this silent monster can due to our central nervous system if we leave it run amok unchecked.

[Hidden]

My name is KITTIN not Kitty. I am sure my journey was not like yours but it does not mean that our results cannot be the same. I too look forward to seeing Great grand children, if my only grandchild chooses to have any.

I was told that I was lying, faking or just being dramatic by the medical professionals when I first presented my concerns to doctors in my 20's. In my 40's they wanted to probe my brain. I knew nothing about this and refused. This was before MRI was widespread. In my 50's a doctor sent me to a Cardiologist instead of a Neurologist. This was the final straw. I started researching on my own. Got a DX. By then, I was too old for trials, they were usually for people18 to 50 year old. I have never been one for drugs and renewed my commitment after I started reading side effects.

Yes, I had a bad relapse but I have come back. I failed to say that where I did yoga and tai chi were not welcoming places and I choose to leave. I am finding new places to renew my study of yoga and tai chi. This time I will be adding weight training as I need to renew my strength.

I am an artist and just exhibited in the city -wide seniors art exhibit. I just stopped going to art classes as I have developed my own style of painting and do not need the directions on how to develop as an artist. keep my easel up and devoted a section of my apartment to my studio.

I just returned from Nashville. I went to the MS summit. They were talking about the importance of diet and activity along with other treatments. that were EQUALLY discussed.

I am planning a few more trips over the next few years: Chicago, Toronto, London and Paris. I hope to complete this leg of my travels over the next few years. Yes, I have plans....

My safety net is ME. I am the keeper of my health. By studying and keeping up with what is possible I strive on..

The medical profession missed out on learning a lot from me as I am in the fastest growing segment of the population to get MS, Black women...…..

[Midgey_Midge06 in reply to Hidden]

You sound like a strong determined woman. I love it 💜