A month or so ago we asked the readers of our Facebook page MultipleSclerosisTalk to share their answers to the question “Have you any advice for somebody who has just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis?”. The results were so successful we decided to share then om a VoxPop blog called Water and Walking.

A couple of days ago we decided to follow up the blog post with another asking People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) what tips they would like to share about living with MS with our readers.

The results were incredible so we decided to share a few with you. We have got nearly 500 so far so can’t include them all. It would be great if you wanted to share your ideas and suggestions in the comments section below.

Christina’s was the most popular when she said “Take a deep breath and always look forward never backwards. Times will get hard occasionally but you must be grateful for the good times. Never give up and fight for your independence and never ever give up. You got this, even if you think you don’t.” Traci supported this saying “You are stronger than you think you are”.

Laura emphasised the need to take control through research 2Research, research, research. Avoid the DMD’s because they don’t work! MS can be controlled by diet. Food is our medicine! Check out Swanks diet for MS. I have been following this for 9 months and I’m feeling great. I also take LDN and supplements. Recovery and healing are possible if you take the right road. A strong positive mindset is also key….”

Isla said “find yourself a holistic doctor”.

Jackie was very practical “Heat is your enemy. Try to stay cool. Your body will start to feel better once you cool down.”.

Sharri had lots of great ideas “Don’t feel bad for feeling bad. Keep your sense of humor. Increase your sense of humor. Join an MS / chat group, local support group and fun www.meetup. com groups.
Nutritional supplements also help you feel better and the meds to work better. Eat the fish and spit out the bones of what people say who do not have MS. Nurture and do kind things for yourself.
Know that you will have good days, great days, bad days and horrible days. ”

Like many of our readers Christina felt we should listen to our bodies ” Don’t let MS change who you are! Biggest challenge was learning to listen to my body, cognitive issues, and the MS Fatigue (which is not the normal fatigue people have) If you can learn to listen to your body, eat healthy and exercise and most important stay true to who you are and maintain a positive attitude (you may have MS but MS does not have you or define you) then you will see MS becomes more of the “Ah” that is why I feel this way or that makes sense now and can move forward. I took it as a positive when I was diagnosed (March 2012) as I honestly thought I was losing my mind (cognitive is bad for me) and I did not understand the fatigue I was having. It was a relief to know there was a reason for it and now I know what to do to help with these issues. Attitude is the key to MS success (as with any illness). I find if I keep moving I’m fine. It is when I give in to MS that I get bad. It is a choice you have to make every day if you are going to get up or let MS win. I REFUSE to give in to it. There are many days I forget I even have MS and again, that is a choice I make. Make sure your family and friends are aware that you are still you and that YOU will let them know if you cannot do something as only you know how you feel and your limitations (which you learn as you go but always try). I have amazing support with all of my family and friends. I asked them to not treat me any differently and I promised I would let them know if I needed help (which I admit is hard for me to ask for any help, I’m very stubborn) but there are things you will need to say “hey, my body does not react well if I did this, can you help”. You will be amazed by taking one day at a time, one breath at a time how well you will be able to handle your MS and live life just like you did prior to your diagnosis. Research the different types of MS and make sure you understand which level you are diagnosed. Unfortunately, there are more severe cases of MS and I pray for those with the more severe cases. So we cannot dismiss what we have but we can listen to what our body tells us and make the right choice to get up and live! Prayers as you begin learning your new path in life.”

Finally Georgia went the other way and said “Don’t listen to other people’s “advice” that don’t have MS and have absolutely no idea what you may be going through! Only you know your body, no one else does!”

So what do you think about these tips? Do you have any you would like to share? If so please do use the comments section below to add your ideas.

Thanks very much in advance.