The Top 10 Things to Know and Do When Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

Originally Submitted on 6/26/2003.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that generally strikes between the ages of 20 and 50. According to the National MS Society, approximately 400,000 Americans, mostly women, acknowledge having MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. Worldwide, MS may affect 2.5 million individuals. There are many things that people with MS are doing that are significantly improving their overall health and well-being. With a positive attitude, courage and a drive to not let ANYTHING stand in the way of living your life, the diagnosis of this disease can be viewed as just a "bump in the road"!

1. When you are initially diagnosed with MS, make sure you get one or more additional expert opinions.

This disease can be extremely difficult to diagnose. The symptoms of MS vary widely (e.g., from numbness in limbs to loss of vision or complete paralysis) and can be similar to many other medical conditions.

If the final diagnosis is MS...

Allow yourself some time to absorb the news, feel all the emotions attached to being diagnosed with a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease. Share what you are thinking and feeling with your loved ones. An initial look of shock or feeling like you have just hit a brick wall is common. Yes, in the beginning you may be scared, angry, frustrated, and unsure of what to do next. But it DOES NOT have to be that way forever. Read on...

2. After the initial shock of hearing those initials (MS), make a decision on how you want to integrate this news into your life. You do have a choice on how you handle it emotionally and what action steps you take.

Your attitude at this time of adversity is a key factor in how you get through this. First, make sure that you do your research. Knowledge is power! You have options! A while ago, a few doctors would have told you to "go home and rest, there's nothing you can do" (that must have been real encouraging!) Well now, this isn't the case. Many doctors are encouraging their MS patients to educate themselves on the disease and to keep themselves healthy by staying active and incorporating an individualized exercise program. There is a lot of information available to you. Here are just a few internet sites where you can educate yourself on this disease and find out how others are dealing with the diagnosis:

www.nationalmssociety.org (or 1-800-FIGHT-MS)
www.mssociety.org.uk (UK Multiple Sclerosis Society)
www.mssociety.ca (Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada)
www.msfocus.org (Multiple Sclerosis Foundation)
www.msaa.com (Multiple Sclerosis Association of America)
www.MSwatch.com (variety of resources, community)
www.msuniversity.com (virtual educational resource)
www.frontiersinmedicine.com/MS
www.LivingwithMS.com
www.MSActiveSource.com
www.MSLifelines.com
www.mspathways.com
www.Spotlighthealth.com
http://nccam.nih.gov/ (Complementary Alternative Medicine)
www.msandyou.org
www.montelms.org
www.band-against-ms.org

3. Stay in the present moment (yes, this is easier said than done) – Here is a perspective for you:

This is a very unpredictable disease that affects each person differently. The top experts couldn't even tell you exactly how the disease is going to progress in YOUR body! So, why waste your energies predicting into the future and coming up with the worst case scenarios you could possible think of when the experts don't even know? There are better ways to use your energy!

4. Live life FULLY.

If you haven't been doing this, start now! If not now, when? You can still feel good, enjoy life and even reach for your biggest dreams … ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! It is amazing the stories you hear of people who persevere and exceed their wildest expectations through adversity. The human spirit and the MIND & BODY connection are powerful forces! Don't underestimate the power that you have within you.

5. Do something that is empowering to you... something that makes you feel real good on the inside and in control of you.

Your self-image, confidence and overall attitude and well-being will sky-rocket if you incorporate some daily or weekly habits that make you feel good about yourself. For instance, do some form of exercise, eat healthy foods, come up with a mantra or a theme song that motivates and inspires you (that's your theme on how you are going to make it through this life challenge), write a song, tap into your creative talents, ...write some positive affirmations on your health and read them every day (a favorite of mine is: I AM A LEAN, MEAN, HEALIN' MACHINE!)

6. Surround yourself with people who support you, love you and are positive influences on your overall mental state of mind.

There are going to be some people who say to you "Oh, I am Sooooooo sorry" and they continually look at you with a sad puppy dog look every time they see you. This is about them and their fears! You can make a choice on how you deal with the people who send out negative and "down" vibes your way. You can educate them on what you need from them... teach them how you would like to be treated and what type of support you really need. Hey, they may listen... and if not... think about altering your "people" environment. It can do wonders for your overall health!

7. Realize that "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE" and that the power of the mind is an amazing thing.

What you focus on can manifest itself into reality! If you are continually focusing on the negative of this diagnosis and the thought of "what may be" somewhere down the road... it just may happen. Stay in the present moment and create a mental environment for yourself that will support you in your overall health and well-being. If you truly believe and feel (the feeling part is critical) that you will overcome this with flying colors, you will!

8. Eliminate STRESS.

Stress has been shown to be detrimental to people with MS, by enhancing the symptoms of the disease. Make sure that you have rituals that keep you centered and at peace (meditation, yoga, reading, exercise, update your support systems and the people you hang out with, surrender and trust to a higher power, design supportive environments, etc. – whatever works for you!). There are many ways to design your life so that stress is no longer an issue.

9. Hire a coach.

A coach can help you to design supportive environments that can enhance your overall health and well-being by assisting you in:

1) identifying and eliminating the things that drain your energy
2) implementing daily habits that make you feel great
3) taking a close look at what's really important to you and incorporating that into your life.
4) executing a Customized Fitness Program for your Mind, Body and Spirit!

A coach can be a wonderful support system and catalyst for you to maintain a positive attitude and feel great.

10. EMBRACE the perspective that this is just a BUMP IN THE ROAD of life.

There is a lot of research going on with this disease and multiple options for treatment. YOU can be your worst enemy or your biggest supporter and motivator. What's more important than what life throws your way, is what you do with it! REMEMBER, you are at choice to take the news of the MS diagnosis and view it as the end of the road OR a blessing to find out more about who you are, what you are capable of and maybe even discover a more rewarding life path that takes you to a place you never dreamed of prior to the diagnosis. There may not be a medical cure YET, BUT there is a cure for our Mind and Spirit and WE ARE IN CONTROL OF THAT!

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About the Submitter

Maria Lesetz specializes in Motivational Speaking, Corporate Wellness Training for employees with chronic health conditions, Stress Reduction, Career Transition, & Environmental Design Consulting to enhance overall health & well-being.

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