Treating Relapses, To Treat or Not To Treat?


Treating Relapses: To Treat or Not To Treat?

Last week we discussed what relapses look like, including those pesky pseudo-exacerbations. This week we will be covering how to treat a relapse. The opinion about such treatment, and more importantly, when treatment is necessary, seems to have changed since I was first diagnosed.

Should you Treat?

Last week I mentioned that at the root of all relapses is inflammation, so therefore the goal of treatment of relapses is to reduce inflammation. But what relapses require treatment? That’s a good question. It seems to come down to quality of life and level of impairment caused by the relapse. If you are experiencing mild* symptoms (sensory changes, mild fatigue), then treatment might not be necessary. But if you are experiencing severe symptoms (optic neuritis that impairs vision, severe weakness that interferes with walking), that interfere with your daily life and ability to go about your daily activities, then treatment might be warranted.
This is an interesting change. When I was first diagnosed, and going through my relapses years ago, it seemed like everything was treated, nothing was left to “take it’s course”, like it is today. If this mentality was around back then, or adopted by my doctor, I may not have treated several of my relapses like I did. 

Available Treatments

Once you’ve determined this is a severe relapse, and you do need treatment, there are several options available.
  • Steroid medications. Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone) is the old standby. This is a 3 to 5 day course of IV steroids usually given in a hospital or infusion center. This medication is so effective because it works to relieve inflammation and it is able to close the blood brain barrier. There are several other types of corticosteroids used during an MS relapse including dexamethazone, prednisone, betamethasone and prednisolone. I’ve had Solu-Medrol three different times and my reaction to it was always the same, it totally wiped me out. I never got the crazy energy, or Hulk like emotions that some people experience. I got quite the opposite, which some people do feel, although not as common.
  • Acthar Gel. Acthar Gel is a treatment in injectable form that is a purified preparation of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex gland to secrete cortisol, corticosterone and aldosterone. With Acthar Gel, ACTH is delivered in a extended release formula. It is given once a day for 2 to 3 weeks and is injected into the muscle or under the skin. It is then absorbed slowly into the bloodstream. This works a little differently then steroid medication by helping the body to produce it’s on steroid hormones that reduce inflammation. This is an alternative option for people that have trouble tolerating corticosteroid medication and their side effects.
  • Plasmapheresis. In layman’s terms, plasma exchange. This is a treatment option for people whose relapse and symptoms do not respond to steroid treatment. It is a difficult process that includes several steps. 1. Blood is taken from the person. 2. Plasma is removed from the blood and replaced. 3. Blood is transfused back into the person. This is been a successful treatment for other autoimmune disease is because it removes antibodies from the blood, but is only considered as a last resort for treatment of MS relapse is at this time. It is also not approved by the FDA as a treatment specifically for an MS relapse.
  • Intervaneous Immunoglobulin (IVIG). This is another treatment that is only used in situations where other treatments have failed. This treatment uses human immunoglobulin, an antibody from healthy individuals, as an injection to help boost the immune response. This is also not an FDA approved treatment for MS relapses.

Long Term Effects

The jury seems to be still out on whether or not treating a relapse will 1, improve the relapse symptoms faster and 2, slow overall progression of the disease. In theory, you would think that treating a relapse with inflammation blasting steroids would improve both the length of the relapse and your overall disease progression. But it might not work like that (how unfortunate). So it’s up to us as patients to decide how we want to proceed when a relapse strikes.
How have you handled your relapses? Have you treated all of them, or have you left some to resolve on their own? Let me know!
*A quick note about mild symptoms. I really hate the term mild symptoms. In my opinion, and experience, even the “mild” symptoms they speak of are quick obnoxious and can interfere with quality of life. When my leg is burning or numb, it doesn’t feel mild, even though doctors consider it mild! 
 
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I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

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5 Underrated Supplements to help MS symptoms 

In no particular order:
• ALA- Alpha Lipoic Acid
• NAC N-Acetylcystine
• Lions Mane Mushroom
• NADH/NAD+
• Pre/Probiotics

Have you tried any of these before??
What has been your experience?

5 Underrated Supplements to help MS symptoms

In no particular order:
• ALA- Alpha Lipoic Acid
• NAC N-Acetylcystine
• Lions Mane Mushroom
• NADH/NAD+
• Pre/Probiotics

Have you tried any of these before??
What has been your experience?
...

8 0
5 things to keep in mind about nutrition and MS

1. Addition before subtraction 
2. Eat your fruits, veggies and fats
3. Think about how you’re eating vs what you’re eating
4. Hydrate!!
5. Consider elimination if needed

More questions on food for MS?
Grab your Eating for MS Guide in my bio!!

5 things to keep in mind about nutrition and MS

1. Addition before subtraction
2. Eat your fruits, veggies and fats
3. Think about how you’re eating vs what you’re eating
4. Hydrate!!
5. Consider elimination if needed

More questions on food for MS?
Grab your Eating for MS Guide in my bio!!
...

10 1
Just a guess…

Did I nail it? Almost? I bet.

I’ve seen the same patterns over and over within my clients (and tbh myself)

Growing up hyper independent..
Possibly not getting your needs met as a kid..
Feeling like you’re in control of it all girl boss style.. 
But unable to say no when asked to do anything.. 

You think you’re just being helpful, or kind, or smart..

In reality you’re keeping yourself stuck and sick.

Babe lemme tell you, there is a way out.

Embodied Resilience gives you that path out from under your unhelpful patterns (that always saying yes thing) and your over stressed life

Comment OUT below and I’ll send you details on the group.. we start next week!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #multiplesclerosiswarrior #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #msawarenessmonth

Just a guess…

Did I nail it? Almost? I bet.

I’ve seen the same patterns over and over within my clients (and tbh myself)

Growing up hyper independent..
Possibly not getting your needs met as a kid..
Feeling like you’re in control of it all girl boss style..
But unable to say no when asked to do anything..

You think you’re just being helpful, or kind, or smart..

In reality you’re keeping yourself stuck and sick.

Babe lemme tell you, there is a way out.

Embodied Resilience gives you that path out from under your unhelpful patterns (that always saying yes thing) and your over stressed life

Comment OUT below and I’ll send you details on the group.. we start next week!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #multiplesclerosiswarrior #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #msawarenessmonth
...

22 2
Stress & MS!!

• How our nervous system should function 
• Why it doesn’t work “right” in todays world
• How to support our nervous system & stress response

Stress & MS!!

• How our nervous system should function
• Why it doesn’t work “right” in todays world
• How to support our nervous system & stress response
...

13 0
First, comment SAFE below and I’ll send you details on my course Embodied Resilience- 
(Maybe the only live round this year) we start March 10th!!

Years and years ago, someone really confused me when they said meditating made their anxiety worse. 

My baby therapist-in-training brain thought, well crap- isn’t that supposed to help???

While yes, it is supposed to, it often doesn’t. 
(Especially if you’ve experienced trauma)

You see, before we get quiet with our thoughts in meditation, our bodies need to feel safe doing so. 

If you don’t feel safe in your body, meditation won’t “work”. 

I see this all the time in my clients:
• they’re going a mile a minute throughout the day..
• thinking 10 steps ahead of what they’re doing..
• ignoring their body all day..

then all of a sudden they sit down to try and meditate and- shocker- they “can’t”

You too? You’re not broken- promise 🧡🧡

Try this instead: 
- Stop what you’re doing and actually sit down (I’ll wait)
- Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and focus on a loud whooooooshing exhale
- Put your hand on your chest and notice what your body is physically feeling (tight chest? Hole in your stomach? Exhaustion?)
- Gently sway/rock your shoulders back and forth
- Open your eyes and come back to your surroundings. Look around the room and name a few objects you see around you out loud. 
- How did that feel to your mind and body? 

If you’ve been trying all the things to help reduce stress + calm your body and mind but find they “don’t work” I invite you into Embodied Resilience. 

This is one of my signature programs designed to help you learn how to actually manage stress in an effective way, so stress doesn’t cause a MS symptom flare or worse- full blown relapse. 

We’re still in pre-sale, so to get the best price grab your spot now!! 

#lissms #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior

First, comment SAFE below and I’ll send you details on my course Embodied Resilience-
(Maybe the only live round this year) we start March 10th!!

Years and years ago, someone really confused me when they said meditating made their anxiety worse.

My baby therapist-in-training brain thought, well crap- isn’t that supposed to help???

While yes, it is supposed to, it often doesn’t.
(Especially if you’ve experienced trauma)

You see, before we get quiet with our thoughts in meditation, our bodies need to feel safe doing so.

If you don’t feel safe in your body, meditation won’t “work”.

I see this all the time in my clients:
• they’re going a mile a minute throughout the day..
• thinking 10 steps ahead of what they’re doing..
• ignoring their body all day..

then all of a sudden they sit down to try and meditate and- shocker- they “can’t”

You too? You’re not broken- promise 🧡🧡

Try this instead:
- Stop what you’re doing and actually sit down (I’ll wait)
- Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and focus on a loud whooooooshing exhale
- Put your hand on your chest and notice what your body is physically feeling (tight chest? Hole in your stomach? Exhaustion?)
- Gently sway/rock your shoulders back and forth
- Open your eyes and come back to your surroundings. Look around the room and name a few objects you see around you out loud.
- How did that feel to your mind and body?

If you’ve been trying all the things to help reduce stress + calm your body and mind but find they “don’t work” I invite you into Embodied Resilience.

This is one of my signature programs designed to help you learn how to actually manage stress in an effective way, so stress doesn’t cause a MS symptom flare or worse- full blown relapse.

We’re still in pre-sale, so to get the best price grab your spot now!!

#lissms #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior
...

5 3
This is where I start all my clients when they want to start working on their:
- stress management and response
- nervous system regulation
- undoing the unhelpful behavior patterns that got us sick (people pleasing, perfectionism etc)

And the first step I’ll share in my masterclass tomorrow, Cultivating Resilience, all about stress + MS.
 I’ll tell you about the rest of the process too. 

Haven’t signed up yet? There’s still time!!
Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems

This is where I start all my clients when they want to start working on their:
- stress management and response
- nervous system regulation
- undoing the unhelpful behavior patterns that got us sick (people pleasing, perfectionism etc)

And the first step I’ll share in my masterclass tomorrow, Cultivating Resilience, all about stress + MS.
I’ll tell you about the rest of the process too.

Haven’t signed up yet? There’s still time!!
Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
...

18 5
More ways my life has changed 
👇🏼👇🏼

- less nail biting
- my tiggers aren’t as loud and I can move through them without shutting down
- I dissociate less when experiencing really hard things 
- conflicts are shorter with the hubby
- I’m able to ask for what I need 
- more enjoyment day to day
- more dancing and fun
- more attending to my own needs 
- putting myself first
- boundaries!!

These don’t necessarily scream “they’ll help your MS symptoms too” 
But they absolutely will!!

I’m hosting a Masterclass all about stress + MS- and how we can help ourselves manage stress more effectively which in turn helps us to manage MS more effectively.

The class is happening Tuesday evening- comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to register so you don’t miss it!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #thisisms #becausems #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #multiplesclerosisawareness

More ways my life has changed
👇🏼👇🏼

- less nail biting
- my tiggers aren’t as loud and I can move through them without shutting down
- I dissociate less when experiencing really hard things
- conflicts are shorter with the hubby
- I’m able to ask for what I need
- more enjoyment day to day
- more dancing and fun
- more attending to my own needs
- putting myself first
- boundaries!!

These don’t necessarily scream “they’ll help your MS symptoms too”
But they absolutely will!!

I’m hosting a Masterclass all about stress + MS- and how we can help ourselves manage stress more effectively which in turn helps us to manage MS more effectively.

The class is happening Tuesday evening- comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to register so you don’t miss it!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #thisisms #becausems #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #multiplesclerosisawareness
...

19 3
Is people pleasing or perfectionism signs of stress?

You betcha.

Not only are they adding to your mental & physical load via ignoring your needs, demanding perfection from yourself, etc etc..

Having less flexibility in your emotions and actions tells me a lot about your nervous system and how dysregulated you are.

When we have less flexibility in our emotions or how we relate to ourselves, that usually means our nervous system lacks flexibility to manage our daily stressors effectively.

Meaning- you struggle to not feel like an anxious, out of control mess
Or like an exhausted pile of mush

The answer is cultivating resilience in your nervous system & body so that you are able to handle the stress without increasing MS symptoms or these unhelpful patterns.

Wanna know my blueprint I’ve used to help my clients finally come out of years of (partially self inflicted) stress? 

I’m hosting a free Masterclass next week allll about stress + MS, and how to live WITH stress, cause it ain’t goin anywhere.

Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to register!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #becausems #thisisms #stressmanagement #multiplesclerosiswarrior #holisticliving

Is people pleasing or perfectionism signs of stress?

You betcha.

Not only are they adding to your mental & physical load via ignoring your needs, demanding perfection from yourself, etc etc..

Having less flexibility in your emotions and actions tells me a lot about your nervous system and how dysregulated you are.

When we have less flexibility in our emotions or how we relate to ourselves, that usually means our nervous system lacks flexibility to manage our daily stressors effectively.

Meaning- you struggle to not feel like an anxious, out of control mess
Or like an exhausted pile of mush

The answer is cultivating resilience in your nervous system & body so that you are able to handle the stress without increasing MS symptoms or these unhelpful patterns.

Wanna know my blueprint I’ve used to help my clients finally come out of years of (partially self inflicted) stress?

I’m hosting a free Masterclass next week allll about stress + MS, and how to live WITH stress, cause it ain’t goin anywhere.

Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to register!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #becausems #thisisms #stressmanagement #multiplesclerosiswarrior #holisticliving
...

18 3
First, save this for later!

Second, what you gotta know about “managing stress” is:
it really matters how you care for yourself in the moment and afterwards

You see, most of us know when we’re experiencing moments of stress, 
but we don’t know how to attend to ourselves to mitigate the impacts.

It all comes down to awareness of:
- Your present moment 
- How that moment is impacting your body 

Once you’re aware of how the stress you’re experiencing is impacting you and your body, THEN you can start attending to yourself and changing how your body handles stress.

👆🏼👆🏼that’s also how we mitigate stress induced MS symptoms or relapses.

Awareness is always the first step babe.

Wanna know more?

Come to my Masterclass all about stress + MS, Cultivating Resilience 

Comment ATTEND below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #spoonielife #thisisms

First, save this for later!

Second, what you gotta know about “managing stress” is:
it really matters how you care for yourself in the moment and afterwards

You see, most of us know when we’re experiencing moments of stress,
but we don’t know how to attend to ourselves to mitigate the impacts.

It all comes down to awareness of:
- Your present moment
- How that moment is impacting your body

Once you’re aware of how the stress you’re experiencing is impacting you and your body, THEN you can start attending to yourself and changing how your body handles stress.

👆🏼👆🏼that’s also how we mitigate stress induced MS symptoms or relapses.

Awareness is always the first step babe.

Wanna know more?

Come to my Masterclass all about stress + MS, Cultivating Resilience

Comment ATTEND below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #spoonielife #thisisms
...

7 1
Yes I had been moving consistently
Yes I had been eating my veggies

But, the big thing that has helped over the last few years is regulating my nervous system.

You wouldn’t necessarily think so right away but let me explain..

You see, working on your nervous system means improving the amount of stress your body can handle.

And when your body can handle more stress, you can do more things (like walk miles and miles)

Stress is one of the biggest triggers for MS symptoms and relapses, so working on your nervous system usually brings MS symptom relief.

ESPECIALLY when you’ve “done everything” and “nothing works”

I’m hosting a Masterclass on Feb 18th:
The MS Stress Solution

Inside you’ll learn my blueprint for nervous system regulation that I’ve used with my clients.

Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #stressmanagement

Yes I had been moving consistently
Yes I had been eating my veggies

But, the big thing that has helped over the last few years is regulating my nervous system.

You wouldn’t necessarily think so right away but let me explain..

You see, working on your nervous system means improving the amount of stress your body can handle.

And when your body can handle more stress, you can do more things (like walk miles and miles)

Stress is one of the biggest triggers for MS symptoms and relapses, so working on your nervous system usually brings MS symptom relief.

ESPECIALLY when you’ve “done everything” and “nothing works”

I’m hosting a Masterclass on Feb 18th:
The MS Stress Solution

Inside you’ll learn my blueprint for nervous system regulation that I’ve used with my clients.

Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #stressmanagement
...

11 6

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