Early Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis to Healing MS

A story of overcoming paralyzing symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

The battle to overcome paralyzing symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (and Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and more) and how it changed my life. - Diane McLaren

Your health affects everything ... when you feel good you never give it much thought, when you experience symptoms of some sort, you believe they'll pass ...

For many people, symptoms of illness arrive so slowly , they don't notice change because the process is so slow e.g. months & even years.

One day the early symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) did not pass for me without a very significant difficult journey, a life changing journey  ...

I had an experience while attending McGill University in Montreal majoring in my first passion,  music. The experience shattered my dreams, left me unable to play my beloved piano and forced me to take stock of myself, my purpose and mission in life. 

 

Through that long, lonely journey, I discovered each of us has an incredible power and unlimited ability to chose our own futures.

I had no guide so it took me a long time to regain my health, re-define my future and those experiences motivated me to help others avoid the confusion, pain & disappointments addressing their own personal, sometimes significant health challenges.

We all have many quality of life choices available to us ... if we look for them

I found out the hard way that we do have many choices ...  while I'd had the undiagnosed early symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), doctors could never figure it out though eventually, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

 

I landed in the hospital ... paralyzed by an unknown disease

1982 was the year I landed in the hospital, paralyzed from my shoulder to my toes on the right side with extensive speech loss due to facial paralysis, pain, little colon/bladder function and 90% vision loss in one eye. 

Initially my doctor's did not know why, and that was just the beginning of a 10 year journey!

• I had no idea I would face so many challenging years just to reclaim my health

• Eventually the discouraging prognosis of the doctors, neurologists, psychologists & psychiatrists was a possible 50-70% recovery to a cane(s), no children, restricted mobility, limited career options and so on.

• During the initial years, I would regain some degree of health but only for short periods, I could never stay healthy for any meaningful length of time. 

• Doctors said "it was simply the nature of the disease…so just accept it".  I did not!

• During my last and final crisis (1992) there were too many weeks where I could not drive my car, walk properly without holding to walls, could not climb the stairs, … feed myself, get dressed on my  own , you name it. 

• It took me another long painful 18 months where even after 12 months, I had still not made any real progress, I was ready to give up many times ... but I did not quit.

 

If the doctors did not know ... what could I possibly do

I was trying everything that western medicine had to offer, the meds, procedures and more, but nothing provided lasting results.

The medical reasoning & diagnosis as I experienced it

• Initially I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis but because I was much more tired than the typical MS patient ...
• Then Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was diagnosed
• Because I had tremendous pain and according to doctors, MS is not painful ... Fibromyalgia was diagnosed
• I pointed out to my doctors that 8 out of 10 people in the waiting room were in pain and asked … "who said MS is not painful!"
• They diagnosed several more including Erythema, Nodosum, Sarcoidisis
• With each new diagnosis came medications and treatments aimed at the individual diseases, the allopathic method of western medicine
• I remember asking one specialist “could there be a connection between the 5 diseases, because I simply could not believe that somebody could be so doomed” and I was told “No, no connection at all – that is the way it is”.

By the 5th disease, I’d had it with the medical system and got very angry and frustrated with the continuing lack of any solution that lasted.  

 

If western medicine couldn't help me get my life back ...

That was when I began to question western medical wisdom because surly there are cause and effect relationships to be drawn when a series of events happen!

• In the early days, paralyzed in the hospital I hated depending on others for just about every human necessity
• Several years later I remember refusing the offer of a handicap license because for me, accepting it would have meant I gave up all hope of recovery. 
• I was so scared that I would never come back, I consciously decided never again
• I consciously chose not to be at the mercy of these diseases ... living with the fear that some mornings I could not walk, drive a car or even hold my child.

I vowed to fight back, no matter what

 

Finding solutions in alternative health modalities

The anger and frustration lead me to begin researching eastern philosophies, nutritional strategies, herbal medicines, nutritional health supplements, mental visualizations and many other alternative health therapies. 

The more I studied and applied them, the better I understood the complex relationships of our body systems acting in unison.  My health finally returned to me and in the process, I discovered a new life passion.

• My family doctor was and remains a big supporter. At the time she observed the changes & simply said “whatever you’re doing Diane, don’t stop!”
• My neurologist, after assessing my case for years finally threw up his hands and said check-in annually so I can document this unprecedented recovery!
• Over the years I have become a Registered Nutritionist, Certified Iridologist,  Herbalist, Reflexologist and trained in many related natural health modalities.
• The formal knowledge coupled and combined with my own experiences enabled me to develop an effective methodology that offers reasonable solutions to help others.

 

Options and choice are a powerful combination

When I was ill, I promised myself, (and family though they didn’t know), I would not be living like that. Once I would come back (walking and all), I would do everything I could to stay healthy.

• I had finally decided to take ownership for my own recovery!  

Did you notice?   

I did not think or say if … I said once I would come back ... this is a very important point and I believe crucial to successfully fighting any illness or disease (or goal for that matter). You see, in my mind and in my heart - there were no doubts. 

• I did not know how long it would take
• I did not know what I would have to do
• My one burning desire was to get well, then stay well. 

I wanted to enjoy life without depending on others - I wanted and still want to do everything I choose, when I want, as long as I want and I still do whatever it takes.

 

Anybody can heal, I see it work daily in my Wellness Centre

Of course there is a lot of resistance to the notions and science of alternative health and when someone learns of my personal experiences, quite often I'll hear words like ...

• “what did you do to get well”
• “you are so lucky, you got well”

 Then when I tell them what I did to get well, many will say,

• "Oh no, I cannot do that"
• "Oh no, it is too much for me"
• "I can't do that because my  <husband/wife/partner> would never let me" 

 

Solutions born from need

Thanks to my many positive experiences (and some not so positive) with doctor's, Holistic Health Practitioners, Herbalists, Nutritionists and access to modalities like Iridology, Reflexology and Applied Kinesiology; with absolute determination and the internal belief that I could, I have been symptom free for many years now. 

• I had always visualized my goal = “What good health would look, feel and be like for me” and that's why it's an important part of my wellness programs. 

As a result of my training and experience, I'd discovered and have since developed a unique methodology focused on a holistic approach that helps people take one small step at a time, and get results.

• No one needs to endure the journey I've had to achieve & enjoy good health

The years of nutritional support I required to get my body functioning normally included a clean diet with lots of whole foods plus large quantities and correct formulations of herbal medicines and nutritional supplements. 

• Through trial and error with a number of herbal product lines, I eventually found the correct formulations in Nature's Sunshine Products and today, they remain a part of my maintenance program.
• I owe a debt of gratitude to Nature's Sunshine Products for my recovery and ongoing good health.  They have put the science, research and quality into an exceptionally complete line of herbal products which is why I recommend Nature's Sunshine to others. Used appropriately and properly, their various nutrient dense all natural plant sourced herbal products simply work. 

 

Enjoying good health is a proactive individual choice

The human body requires basic elements consistent with its long evolution yet western society imposes inconsistent and incompatible influences on our ability to be and stay healthy. 

While I recognize there is an essential place for modern medicine and technology in saving lives, I also believe that as natural beings, good health today requires people to take a proactive preventive approach to maintain wellness, not the typical reactive response to treating symptoms (not the causes) of illness after they have arrived.

Today I'm playing the piano again, have 2 healthy children and as a Holistic Health Practitioner, I am continuing my education and pursuing my passion of helping others avoid what I had to endure through my Wellness Centre counselling and education programs. 

If you'd like help addressing a personal health challenge, my consulting, counselling and wellness coaching services are available in French or English from my Wellness Centre in Mississauga (Toronto), or across Canada & the USA by phone. New clients welcome. 

I have a monthly natural health & wellness newsletter you may find of interest ...

To your lasting health and wellness,

 

Diane McLaren

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. - Carl Bard

Read Diane favourite deep and meaningful quotes for inspired living ...

 

Please call for more information on a personalized natural approach to Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fertility, Weight, IBS or any health concerns you'd like to address naturally.