I seem to be allergic to multiple sclerosis
The immune system is made up of a complex and vital network of cells and organs that are created to protect the body from infection. Their entire purpose is to defend the body and keep bacteria, viruses and fungi out, and to destroy any infectious microorganisms that try to invade the body.
Growing up I never had an allergic reaction to anything. Food, bug bites, hot or cold weather, animals, dust mites, pollen, or drugs. The only thing I was allergic to was poison oak. It always seemed to spread by me just looking at it. I didn’t have to actually touch it… or in my childs mind I didn’t. Once I had gotten such a bad case that spread all over my face even causing my eyes to swell shut for a few days. After a visit to the doctor, some meds and lots of calamine lotion, all was well.
Since multiple sclerosis has taken up residence in my body, I have discovered that certain foods cause me to have increased symptoms like expanded weakness, spreading of numbness beyond the normal residual symptom from my initial MS troubles years ago, visual disturbances that have a tendency to keep me from being able to properly read emails without double vision, dizziness that meclizine doesn’t seem to help with. For me, over time, I have discovered those foods and know which ones to avoid. Each person has to find their own foods to avoid. It will always be different person to person.
I have also discovered my difficulties in balancing. I fall over trying to sit up. I can no longer do as my mom always said… ‘sit up straight and keep your elbows off the table.’ I simply can’t seem to do it unaided. I have cognitive problems too unlike anything I had before. I used to be able to read an in depth computer manual and be able to code computer programs based on what I had read without difficulty. Now I can’t put a line of code down without constantly looking at every cheatsheet available.
It just seems like every new symptom shows up out of nowhere and has a tendency to hang around for a long, long time… sometimes forever. I have also discovered certain drugs now give me an allergic reaction and I have to be watchful of them. My body just doesn’t seem to want to cooperate with my own body.
One thing I told the doctor is that I found I was allergic to ice packs. They always turn my skin red…(grin). I can’t get through a summer without them. They help me survive the heat. I’m also allergic to a lack of humor. There’s not enough smiles, giggles and laughter in the world of the chronically ill. You do know that it’s okay to laugh, don’t you?!
Over the years I have found that I need to take things slow and listen more closely to my body. It always seems to talk louder than I wish it would but thankfully it speaks up. Sometimes it’s the only reason I feel as good as I do. My body isn’t perfect. I fall down too much, pain visits way too often, confusion happens and brain fog seems to have taken up permanent residency. And although I wish life was different, it’s still mine and I refuse to give up.
You can’t give up on your life either. MS makes things complicated but not impossible. Impossible says it all… I’m possible.
Just like you. You’re possible too.
1. Simplify your life.
Great article! Through all our challenges with MS, we need to keep moving forward with our lives and learn how to adjust to the difficulties and laugh at the more absurd ones. I actually have a good laugh at any of them on a given day. You’re right! Laughter is wonderful for the spirit! Laugh, adjust, live!
Thanks Christie. You are so right. Laughter does the body good. xoxo
I don’t know where these originated from and it really seems to not matter as long as you remember to “turn that frown upside down” and never forget (despite MS memory issues or as I call them – brain farts lol) that “Laughter is the best medicine!”
; ) -that’s an old school wink and a smile before fancy emoji smiles came into existence
Sometimes MS turns me upside down to help me out when I can’t seem to turn my frown upside down. But it always ends up with lots of laughs anyway.
Thank you Penelope for turning the lights on for so many MSers who may have forgotten the laughter that goes with the smile.
🙂 Thanks Janet.
Something that has struck me about Multiple Sclerosis is the different unique effects people suffer beyond those commonly listed. The Medical Profession are reading the same literature as suffers, but we are unique in also have in-depth understanding of symptoms, which can be used for developing more nuanced treatments or even inform a cure.
I also programmed computers starting at 14yo in 1980, and do a lot of electronic circuit design, need being the mother of invention.
I will use electronics to explain a serious flaw in General Information provided by Multiple Sclerosis Medical Profession.
When I buy electronic components or even a house hold item like Fan, they are rated at meeting the given specification at a certain temperature. For most house hold equipment this is now about 25C because the majority of People live in air-conditioned houses.
I don’t have air-conditioning so the standard BigW item is a lot shorter lived.
A similar problem exists for professions documented advice on Multiple Sclerosis.
The advice doesn’t give any consideration for a person living rough with poor food/water quality and without air-conditioning or basic services. Hope that I can contribute to help change this in future.
I have recently made a list called “Multiple Sclerosis” that got 4 followers directly after, not to say others will find interest but thought I would share it here: https://twitter.com/i/lists/1625972797754478592
Cheers,
Gary
You are so tight my dear Penelope 🙂 People must learn to smile and laugh ALOT cause yes this disease sucks but it comes down to how you handle it 🙂 I will keep laughing because I know I’m winning at this NoT MS!!!!!!! 🙂 Thanks for the reminder MS WARRIOR LEADER 🙂 🙂 🙂