ECTRIMS (European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis) is an annual international conference that is comprised of basic and clinical research on Multiple Sclerosis. It took place this year from October 10th-12th in Berlin, Germany. In February, ACTRIMS (American Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis) will take place in Texas. Almost 1600 abstracts were submitted, over 1000 posters were on view and hundreds of presentations given. Obviously I can’t look at everything, that would take forever! And I think my brain would explode. But, I’ve picked a few to share with you. If you want to check it out for yourself, head here. Just create a free account, and you’re all set.
File this under, #duh. The study: “Vitamin D, smoking, EBV and long-term cognitive performance among CIS patients: 11-year follow-up of BENEFIT” showed that supplementing with higher doses of Vitamin D, or having high levels of vitamin D in CIS patients predicted better long term cognitive function. Shockingly, smoking predicted worse cognitive function. Cognitive function was positively correlated with vitamin D status as well. The higher the vitamin D levels, the higher the chance the patient had of scoring positively on the cognitive tests after 11 years. Similar results were found with smoking as well. The heavier the smoker, the worse the patient scored on the cognitive testing. Epstein Barr Virus was not found to be correlated with cognition.
An interesting side note about this wording used in this study. This study was looking at several “modifiable factors”, and if they have any impact on symptoms. Modifiable factors as you might guess, are things we have control over. They were listed out as environmental factors, like smoking, vitamin d status, sun exposure, obesity, viral/bacterial infections and geographical location. NOT listed was our food intake. One could argue this was listed under obesity, but I disagree. Our daily food intake is one of the BIGGEST “modifiable factors” that we have control over, and one that has the BIGGEST implications on our disease progression. Unfortunate it is not listed.
Several trials were discussed about the efficacy of Sativex in relieving symptoms in patients. Sativex is an oral CBD spray with a 1:1 CBD THC ratio. In these trials, researchers were looking directly at the symptoms of spasticity and bladder urgency. In one of the trials, the largest of Sativex to date, 1650 patients were involved and 80% had progressive MS. After one month of use, most saw a 20% improvement in their symptoms and some even saw a 30% improvement in their symptoms. Although less patients were evaluated after 6 months, they continued to see improvements.
Similar conclusions were found when looking at bladder urgency. Although this study was significantly smaller (14 subjects) 50% of them had improvements in bladder urgency after one month of treatment, and 75% had improvements after two months of treatment.
Unfortunately, Sativex is only available in two dozen countries, mostly in Europe, Canada, Israel and Australia.
This is also kind of a #duh. However, I did want to share it with you as a reminder. In the study “The impact of psychological resilience on cognitive and physical measures of disability in multiple sclerosis” resilience and its effect on disability were measured. Resilience was defined as “a dynamic process of positive adaptation to notable adversity” which the study states results in “psychophysical stability and higher quality of life”. I tend to wholeheartedly agree. As does this study. The results state that higher resilience were positively correlated with higher functioning in cognitive and motor tests, however not memory tests.
Obviously the study states they don’t know why and that further testing is needed. But I’ll take a stab at it. The more resilient you are, the more positive you are, and the more willing you are to keep trying when life kinda sucks. To me, that equals a highly resilient individual, and one that won’t stop when life hands you lemons. Which also means, someone who won’t give up on themselves.
The converse was also seen. Depression or Bipolar disorder was linked to faster disease progression in the study “The effect of depression and bipolar disorder on multiple sclerosis disability worsening”. In fact, it was more highly correlated with disease progression than resilience was correlated with positive improvements. Your mind is a powerful thing.
What do you think about the studies I shared? Agree, disagree? Did you catch any others from ECTRIMS that you also thought were cool? Let me know in the comments below!
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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!!
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
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
Don’t think people pleasing & being a perfectionist with 0 boundaries is adding to your stress?
Think again babe 😬
It’s amazing how different my clients have felt after stopping these patterns-
And having support while doing so is paramount.
Embodied Resilience is that place for support and change.
Comment SAFE below and I’ll send you details!!
Don’t think people pleasing & being a perfectionist with 0 boundaries is adding to your stress?
Think again babe 😬
It’s amazing how different my clients have felt after stopping these patterns-
And having support while doing so is paramount.
Embodied Resilience is that place for support and change.
Comment SAFE below and I’ll send you details!!
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
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
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
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
It’s a bold statement, but I stick by it.
Countless times I’ve seen my clients improve their symptoms when they change their diet, add supplements etc.
But nothing changes you, your MS symptoms & progression more for the better than working on your mindset, stress management and how your body tolerates stress (all parts of the same coin)
THAT is how you’ll find that one day you aren’t:
• An anxious mess in the morning..
• Having trouble saying NO when you really mean it
• Doing all the things to help everyone else BUT yourself
(Which I know you struggle with- and that’s keeping you sick still babe)
You can do hard things..
#lissms #stressmanagement #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #thisisms #becausems #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing
It’s a bold statement, but I stick by it.
Countless times I’ve seen my clients improve their symptoms when they change their diet, add supplements etc.
But nothing changes you, your MS symptoms & progression more for the better than working on your mindset, stress management and how your body tolerates stress (all parts of the same coin)
THAT is how you’ll find that one day you aren’t:
• An anxious mess in the morning..
• Having trouble saying NO when you really mean it
• Doing all the things to help everyone else BUT yourself
(Which I know you struggle with- and that’s keeping you sick still babe)
You can do hard things..
#lissms #stressmanagement #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #thisisms #becausems #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing
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
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
Get in MS girlie, we have stress to manage 💅
But seriously… stress management is the KEY to symptom management when you live with MS or any autoimmune disease or chronic illness.
You see- STRESS is where our autoimmune diseases alllll started.
Either due to emotional stress, physical stress, environmental stress… you get the picture, stress is the problem.
And unfortunately- it’s never going away, we can only learn how to manage it better for ourselves and our bodies.
Totally lost on how to do that? I got you!
I’m hosting a free masterclass all about how to manage stress in your daily lives- and in a way that doesn’t add a ton to your already packed to-do list.
Wanna sign up? Duh..
Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #stressmanagement #seasonaldepression #healingmultiplesclerosis
Get in MS girlie, we have stress to manage 💅
But seriously… stress management is the KEY to symptom management when you live with MS or any autoimmune disease or chronic illness.
You see- STRESS is where our autoimmune diseases alllll started.
Either due to emotional stress, physical stress, environmental stress… you get the picture, stress is the problem.
And unfortunately- it’s never going away, we can only learn how to manage it better for ourselves and our bodies.
Totally lost on how to do that? I got you!
I’m hosting a free masterclass all about how to manage stress in your daily lives- and in a way that doesn’t add a ton to your already packed to-do list.
Wanna sign up? Duh..
Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!!
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #stressmanagement #seasonaldepression #healingmultiplesclerosis
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