just been diagnosed

hey again d'awsome and gary: you both keep bringing up points that matter to me enough to want to address in one place under a new topic/discussion as it relates to ms - its taking me a little time to put the words together in a non-rant, non-offensive-to-others way...plus a flare up so my fingers aren't cooperating..maybe by tomorrow or the next day.

anyway...i don't claim to be an expert by any means, but i do have a background in exercise/fitness including proper diet. was first introduced to it as a teen to address anorexia and found this approach effective both physically and emotionally. lucky for me as others i know found therapy programs to bring negative attention and focus to their struggle. i returned to exercise/fitness in my 20's for weight control, vanity, and self-confidence...it worked well. from age 25-30, i weight trained very seriously which required alot of attention to proper nutrition (yes, bodybuilding - but natural, always retaining my femininity). at 30, i had my first attack....the last thing you want to do is hold a weight over your head when your body is completely numb (almost ate a few pounds of metal....which has no nutritional value!!!!!). i had to completely stop lifting. not having this outlet in my life, i began to notice the benefits i'd taken for granted:
- appearance, weight control (w/o having to stress or think about what i ate)
- energy level, ability to sleep/quality of sleep, attitude (exercise actually releases chemicals in the
brain -- the body's own natural anti-depressant).
- physical therapy -- a car accident when i was 25 caused back/neck injuries. had tried pt, chiropractic,
acupuncture, cortizone injections and medication any/all of which offered only temporary relief.
exercise provided a more permanent solution (other muscles strengthened to help support body / body
balanced (right/left) to alleviate strains caused by favoring one side).
- MOST IMPORTANT relating to ms...muscle memory. my first attack (lesion in neck) caused my entire
body to go completely numb from just below shoulder height down - without my eyes, couldn't tell if i
was holding/touching things, couldn't tell what position my hands or legs were in, etc. i lost my
coordination, but maintained more mobility than if i had not been in good shape.
at about 35 (am 42 now) i figured out that i don't have to go to the gym/weight train and started doing pilates and yoga at home...i wish i'd thought of it sooner!! not only do i feel better about myself/
everything else and require fewer meds, but my balance and muscle stability are better when i do have flare ups.

so the point of this long narrative...in addition to above, have also trained others. because i have neck, shoulder and back injuries (car accident) as well as limitations from the ms, i've become quite good at adaptive exercise for myself and others. i've found that often personal trainers or yoga/pilates instructors can be scared of those of us w/disabilities tending to "dumb it down" to protect us/themselves and physical therapists look at only the body part assigned even when someone wants to work the whole body. i've never worked with a physio therapist because insurances (of course) don't cover that.

if you'd like help putting something together, plse email me (added email address to my profile) - will need yr specifics. again, am not an expert and this is not in person...so plse use yr judgement in whatever i may forward.

melissa