When I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis I was only 24 years old. Nearing the end of graduate school, about to set out and find a “real job”, MS didn’t quite fit into that life picture I had envisioned for myself. But I guess that’s how that works, right? You’re never expecting anything that blindsides you.
When I was diagnosed, I didn’t know anything about the disease. When my neurologist talked about what I could potentially have on my initial visit, I had to go home and do some googling. Sure, I had heard about it, but I didn’t know about it.
After I was diagnosed, I was still in the dark. I read a lot of factual articles. Symptoms to look out for, things that could potentially be in my future. But I didn’t know what would make a difference or not. All I got from my neurologist was “choose a medication, and get started”. Naturally, I thought that’s all that mattered. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
MS is an individual disease, as we all eventually find out. When I researched MS, I found stories of disability, pain and struggle. I also found stories of triumph. The dichotomy left me somewhat confused. But I should have known that it didn’t matter what I read, it just mattered what I lived. My symptoms were mine, and no one else’s. Just as someone else’s symptoms were theirs, and not mine. What I read about someone else’s struggle might never come true for me. As hard as it is to not imagine the future, it didn’t do me any good. And still doesn’t.
At one doctors appointment, I remember asking my neurologist if anything else besides medication mattered, like what I was eating (this was before I knew better). He said he didn’t think so, but a Mediterranean type Diet wouldn’t hurt. Now I know that diet, and lifestyle changes in general, make all the difference in the world. It’s hard to choose which have the biggest impact, since they all seem to intertwine together. Diet lowers inflammation, stress management lowers inflammation and can increase quality of life, sleep lowers inflammation (among other things). I can’t pick just one that is most impactful.
This is one I’m still learning about daily. Your brain is a powerful little organ. If you think something is going to suck, most likely, it’s going to suck. If you think something is going to be great, most likely, it’s going to be great. Funny how that works. My husband has actually helped me out with this a great deal. I remember being at the hospital in the middle of a relapse, waiting for steroid infusions, hurting, not being in the mood for anything, let alone fun, and he is trying to make up games to play. Anything to get my mindset shifted and away from what is actually going on. Weird, it worked. Your brain is the most powerful tool you have, use it wisely.
Right now, almost 10 years after my diagnosis (yikes!) I’m feeling the best I have in my life. (knocking on every single wood surface around me). Life has definitely unfolded differently than I thought it would have, but then again, isn’t that how life works? Yes, I do some things differently because of MS, I know where every public restroom is, take it slower on hot days and head to the hospital once a month. But I also am living life regardless of my MS diagnosis. I run my own online Holistic Nutrition Coaching Business, I’m a wife and furbaby mom, and I still do many of the activities I did years ago. Life may look different, but it kinda doesn’t, all at once.
Some days are a-ok! Some days are totally not. Both are bound to happen, and both are ok. Even though I may feel ok at the moment, I still have those times where my imagination gets the best of me. Where I think about the future and envision the worst. The tears usually come, I let them flow through. They pass, my fear subsides, and I return to “normal”. Truth be told, this is a scary disease. Random symptoms pop up at the most random times, leaving me wondering “is that MS?” “is this a relapse?” “is this THAT TIME??”. That’s all scary to think about. But giving myself time and space for those emotional moments in between has been making a difference.
These things aren’t the only things I’d wish I’d have known.. just the biggies. I’m curious, what are somethings you wish you would have known when you were diagnosed? Let me know in the comments!
follow along on Instagram:
First, comment SLAP and I’ll send you my morning exercise that is great for waking you up and helping you feel better in your body.
Second.. The actually doing something day after day after day is the hardest part!
Most people think consistency means daily- but that’s not true! Don’t fall into that perfectionist trap.
Set an alarm on your phone a few times a day.
When the alarm goes off- don’t turn it off and ignore it- do the thing!
And you’re done!
How do you help yourself remember to be consistent?
#lissms #slapittomapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms
First, comment SLAP and I’ll send you my morning exercise that is great for waking you up and helping you feel better in your body.
Second.. The actually doing something day after day after day is the hardest part!
Most people think consistency means daily- but that’s not true! Don’t fall into that perfectionist trap.
Set an alarm on your phone a few times a day.
When the alarm goes off- don’t turn it off and ignore it- do the thing!
And you’re done!
How do you help yourself remember to be consistent?
#lissms #slapittomapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis.
There are SO many tools that we can use to help improve our bodies functioning- which can in turn improve our MS symptoms.
The biggies that have helped me? 👇🏼
🥗Nutrition
🏋🏻♀️Movement
🧘🏻♀️Stress management
Want my most favorite, super short exercise that can help MS symptoms??
Comment: SLAP and I’ll send it to you!!
#lissms #SlapittoMapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis.
There are SO many tools that we can use to help improve our bodies functioning- which can in turn improve our MS symptoms.
The biggies that have helped me? 👇🏼
🥗Nutrition
🏋🏻♀️Movement
🧘🏻♀️Stress management
Want my most favorite, super short exercise that can help MS symptoms??
Comment: SLAP and I’ll send it to you!!
#lissms #SlapittoMapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!
Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?
It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?
Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!
Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?
It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?
Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!
Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?
It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?
Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #betterbrain
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!
Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?
It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?
Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #betterbrain
It’s an easy exercise with a silly name, but it actually packs a punch and can really change how you feel.
Imagine measurably more energy and feeling more stable and balanced- and even improving a few MS symptoms here and there too?🤷🏻♀️
Your possibilities are endless!
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short video about how to do it!
#lissms #slapittomapit multiplesclerosis #thisisms
It’s an easy exercise with a silly name, but it actually packs a punch and can really change how you feel.
Imagine measurably more energy and feeling more stable and balanced- and even improving a few MS symptoms here and there too?🤷🏻♀️
Your possibilities are endless!
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short video about how to do it!
#lissms #slapittomapit multiplesclerosis #thisisms
Take a time out for a literal minute.
It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to care for your body and nervous system.
#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation
Take a time out for a literal minute.
It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to care for your body and nervous system.
#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation
First year flower garden needed a post. Already looking forward to next summer, maybe a little less yellow? Can’t wait for the zinnias to bloom!
😂🌼💛
What are you growing??
#lissms #cutflowergarden
First year flower garden needed a post. Already looking forward to next summer, maybe a little less yellow? Can’t wait for the zinnias to bloom!
😂🌼💛
What are you growing??
#lissms #cutflowergarden
Thankfully I haven’t heard any of these in a while.. maybe that means I’m getting my point across 🤷🏻♀️
But if you’re new here, I value holistic lifestyle medicine (snake oil 😂) but ALSO conventional medicine, I utilize it all after all.
Yes, what we do as an individual matters for our health.
But so does the health systems we as individuals operate in.
Tomorrow is my MS-aversary, 16 years of having this disease. my newly diagnosed 24 year old self would be pretty shocked that I’m 40 (like in general lol) and also not in a wheelchair.
Here’s to many more years defying what I initially thought to be true about MS.
Comin with me? Hope so.
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #lifewithms
Thankfully I haven’t heard any of these in a while.. maybe that means I’m getting my point across 🤷🏻♀️
But if you’re new here, I value holistic lifestyle medicine (snake oil 😂) but ALSO conventional medicine, I utilize it all after all.
Yes, what we do as an individual matters for our health.
But so does the health systems we as individuals operate in.
Tomorrow is my MS-aversary, 16 years of having this disease. my newly diagnosed 24 year old self would be pretty shocked that I’m 40 (like in general lol) and also not in a wheelchair.
Here’s to many more years defying what I initially thought to be true about MS.
Comin with me? Hope so.
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #lifewithms
I’ve tripped a few times in the last few weeks.. nothing crazy, but I noticed.
And I noticed my thoughts… is this a “THING”??
Oh the constant wonderings of an MSer…
is this a regular life occurrence?
Or is this a new symptom? 😂😂
When was the last time you had this thought process??
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosiswarrior
I’ve tripped a few times in the last few weeks.. nothing crazy, but I noticed.
And I noticed my thoughts… is this a “THING”??
Oh the constant wonderings of an MSer…
is this a regular life occurrence?
Or is this a new symptom? 😂😂
When was the last time you had this thought process??
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosiswarrior
When you’re living with MS, it’s not that you don’t want to feel better…
It’s just that life keeps interrupting the plan.
Stress, symptoms, fatigue — they throw you off track.
That’s where support, structure, and accountability change everything.
That’s exactly what my membership is for.
✔️ Evidence-based strategies for MS
✔️ Real community and support
✔️ Gentle consistency that actually works
Only the waitlist is getting access as a Founding Member.
Comment WAITLIST and I’ll send you the link to add your name
#lissms #MultipleSclerosis #MSwarrior #MSsupport #ChronicIllnessHealing #MScommunity #HolisticHealing #NervousSystemHealing
When you’re living with MS, it’s not that you don’t want to feel better…
It’s just that life keeps interrupting the plan.
Stress, symptoms, fatigue — they throw you off track.
That’s where support, structure, and accountability change everything.
That’s exactly what my membership is for.
✔️ Evidence-based strategies for MS
✔️ Real community and support
✔️ Gentle consistency that actually works
Only the waitlist is getting access as a Founding Member.
Comment WAITLIST and I’ll send you the link to add your name
#lissms #MultipleSclerosis #MSwarrior #MSsupport #ChronicIllnessHealing #MScommunity #HolisticHealing #NervousSystemHealing
But seriously.. this isn’t too far off 😂
Life handed me a lemon that was a MS diagnosis at 24.
Life handed me a lemon that was multiple relapses and MS progression by 30.
Then I snatched those lemons, made some healing lemonade, and feel night and day different than I did 10 years ago when my symptoms were at their worst.
I could do it, my clients are doing it, I know you can too.
That’s why I’m so passionate about doing what I do. I know it’s possible for you to feel better in your body and be able to do the things you want to do.
Like go for a walk or hike with your spouse, say yes to a spontaneous night out with friends or get up and down off the floor playing with your kids.
That’s why I want to invite you to the waitlist for what I have coming.
Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things.
Comment WAITLIST below and ill send you the link to join the list
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #becausems #thisisms #communityheals #mscommunity
But seriously.. this isn’t too far off 😂
Life handed me a lemon that was a MS diagnosis at 24.
Life handed me a lemon that was multiple relapses and MS progression by 30.
Then I snatched those lemons, made some healing lemonade, and feel night and day different than I did 10 years ago when my symptoms were at their worst.
I could do it, my clients are doing it, I know you can too.
That’s why I’m so passionate about doing what I do. I know it’s possible for you to feel better in your body and be able to do the things you want to do.
Like go for a walk or hike with your spouse, say yes to a spontaneous night out with friends or get up and down off the floor playing with your kids.
That’s why I want to invite you to the waitlist for what I have coming.
Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things.
Comment WAITLIST below and ill send you the link to join the list
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #becausems #thisisms #communityheals #mscommunity
I have a saying about dealing with MS (and any other autoimmune/chronic illnesses) that inevitably comes up in my work with clients:
“You don’t get it, until you get it”
Meaning, you don’t understand living life with MS (or any of the above), until you live in a body that has it.
Which is why living with MS can be so tough and lonely, because its hard to find people that truly understand what you mean when you say you’re exhausted, or brain foggy or “fine”.
This is also why I believe that having a community of others who get it is invaluable.
I’ve seen countless times over where someone new to one of my groups is able to feel fully seen and heard for the first time, and that is priceless for them and their healing.
They walk away feeling validated, understood and at home, which are hard to come by at the doctors office 😂🙄
You’re not too much
You’re not alone
You’re not lazy
You’re just talking to the wrong people.
If you wanna talk to the right people, I’m creating something for you..
Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things..
BUT- only the waitlist is going to hear about it. So- if you want to be notified and involved in creating whats coming, comment WAITLIST and you’re in
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiscommunity #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosissupport
I have a saying about dealing with MS (and any other autoimmune/chronic illnesses) that inevitably comes up in my work with clients:
“You don’t get it, until you get it”
Meaning, you don’t understand living life with MS (or any of the above), until you live in a body that has it.
Which is why living with MS can be so tough and lonely, because its hard to find people that truly understand what you mean when you say you’re exhausted, or brain foggy or “fine”.
This is also why I believe that having a community of others who get it is invaluable.
I’ve seen countless times over where someone new to one of my groups is able to feel fully seen and heard for the first time, and that is priceless for them and their healing.
They walk away feeling validated, understood and at home, which are hard to come by at the doctors office 😂🙄
You’re not too much
You’re not alone
You’re not lazy
You’re just talking to the wrong people.
If you wanna talk to the right people, I’m creating something for you..
Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things..
BUT- only the waitlist is going to hear about it. So- if you want to be notified and involved in creating whats coming, comment WAITLIST and you’re in
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiscommunity #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosissupport
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