When I think back on my life pre-MS, pre-autoimmunity, I was sick or hurt a decent amount of the time. Not like 24/7 or anything like that, but something always hurt, or I was sick. This increased as I got older, and especially through high school. I used to joke that my body was revolting and that it was attacking itself.
Damn. How spot on I was.
Little did I know that I was foreshadowing something epic. My little joke would become not so funny in the not so distant future. And that future? Would be changed forever.
Thankfully, I was diagnosed rather quickly. I started experiencing weird symptoms at the beginning of the summer of 2009 and by the end of August, I had a diagnosis of Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS). The first stage of an MS diagnosis; when you’ve only had 1 episode of symptoms, and your doc isn’t quite sure yet of how you’ll progress. So you get thrown into no-mans-land. A waiting game of will I or won’t I. Will this be the appointment where it all comes crashing down? Or will I squeak by until next time.
I didn’t make it that far into no-mans-land.
I got the “official” MS diagnosis soon after. To make things easier, I just count the original CIS diagnosis date as my MS diagnosis date. It was already happening, already set in motion, why confuse things even further.
I had my medication chosen. Reluctantly I began to learn how to inject myself daily. This was the new normal, I guess.
Over the next few years, I went along with life as “normal”. Or as normally as any young 20-something could, while shooting myself in various parts of my body daily. Dealing with the lumps, divots, aches and pains that it brought. Whenever anyone asked how I was doing, I gave the standard answer: I’m Fine. With and emphasis on fine. Almost like an annoyed teenager talking to their parents.
I was angry. I wasn’t letting the gravity of the situation sink in. I didn’t want to. I hated anything orange and any mention of chronic disease or autoimmunity. I felt like it was a direct attack on me. I didn’t want help (do I ever?) and I didn’t want this disease.
Thankfully, I was still able to do all of the activities I was previously doing. Including running. I enjoyed running races and ran several half marathons. This led to a few run ins with blisters, which led to a few infections. You can’t really be on immunosuppressant medications while fighting infections I suppose. Gladly, I took a break from my MS meds while clearing the pesky infections.
The rub? I never really went back.
I was rather inconsistent with Copaxone after that. I had stock piles in my fridge, only injecting on the rare occasion. It wasn’t until I met my then boyfriend, now husband that I went back to a more consistent schedule. However, as before, the damage and inflammation were already set in motion.
My neurologist doesn’t blame MS for my first relapse, he blames me. Which, to be honest, is totally fair. I stopped taking my medication cold turkey with no other interventions in place. What was I really expecting? To be magically cured by stubbornness alone?
This set off an almost 2 year period of relapses, symptoms and uncertainty. I went from being symptom free, being able to live life relatively normally to not feeling an entire side of my body overnight. Yikes. Talk about scary and life being flipped upside down.
It took me a long time to get back to where I was. And even then, I’m not sure if I was ever 100% “back”. Heat now affected me, I got fatigued easier, I felt numb/tingly/burny at random times. I started to feel like I actually had MS.
I’m not sure how exactly, but at some point after all of these relapses, I found a few articles about the Autoimmune Protocol. I remember reading about it for the first time and having mixed feelings:
The struggle was real.
I shared my newfound wisdom with a few people, who immediately called me crazy. Part of me agreed with them, TBH. But after enough time, I said enough.
I have to feel better, and medication alone ain’t cutting it.
I embarked on my AIP journey in January of 2016. Fueled with the frustrations of incredible pain, overwhelming fatigue and uncomfortable sensory symptoms.
It was not easy. But nothing that is worth it ever is.
I struggled without my chocolate and coffee, like whoa. I found out that nightshades (includes tomatoes), that I practically lived on as a kid, were one of my biggest offenders. And I realized, that yes, I can learn to like veggies. So sorry mom, for all the pain I put you through.
Eventually the pain subsided, the fatigue lifted and the sensory symptoms calmed. Was I “back to my normal, pre-relapse self?” Not really. But was I better? Hell yea.
I slowly crawled out of my relapse hole. I started being more active. Bringing back more foods as my symptoms calmed. I started living life again.
Was it scary? Absolutely. I felt like at any moment I could wake up and not feel a part of my body, or move a part of my body. But that’s how this goes. At any point, anything could happen. To any of us, really. But I try not to live there. In the “unknown”. Because that’s all it is, unknown. If I know that I’m doing as much as I can for myself, then that’s all I need. The rest will shake itself out.
How am I doing now? I’m doing pretty damn good for someone who has had MS for 10 years, if I do say so myself. I’m proud of everything I have done, everything I have accomplished. All the work I have put in to improve my health.
My MS has changed over the years, for sure. It’s gone from almost silent, to frickin LOUD, back down to a dull murmur. A question I get frequently is: Am I totally 100% symptom free? As improved as I am, I’d have to answer that with a big Nope.
I still have trouble with the heat, I feel weird sensory symptoms now and again and my bladder? Oy vey. That’s a story for another day. But, I’m able to mostly get through a day without being derailed by MS. And that’s a big Win, in my book.
Sometimes my brain gets the better of me when I think about the future and what it holds. But I remind myself all I can do, is what I’m doing. The rest is up to God.
If you’re into healing lifestyles like I am, I’d love for you to join my new FB group, The LissMS Healing Lounge. We talk about all things healing lifestyle, from nutrition, to sleep, to stress, even pet friendly indoor plants. I’d love it if you came over and joined the discussion. Join here.
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Leg Weakness (reader question)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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