Stress and Multiple Sclerosis

By Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D.,

Stress and MS Relapses

While there have been few studies examining the relationship of stress and MS symptoms, MS patients often report that stress causes their symptoms to worsen. Because stress interacts with the immune system, it could be possible that stress may trigger a worsening of MS symptoms or a relapse.

In a 2006, Australian researchers conducted one of the first studies to seriously examine the relationship of stress and MS relapse. This study followed 101 people with MS for 2 years and asked about their stress levels and stressful events every three months. They found that the greater number of acute stressors that a person reported predicted relapse. They also found (not surprisingly) that people who were having a relapse reported more stress. Chronic stress and stress severity did not predict relapse, only the number of acute stressors. Individuals who used social support (friends and family) to cope with stressors reduced their risk of a relapse.

Stress and MS Symptoms


Many people with MS note that their symptoms seem to worsen during times of stress. This makes sense from a physiological viewpoint. During times of stress, certain hormones are released in the brain. These hormones slow down the activity of the sections of the brain responsible for reasoning and decision making. It is logical that for people with MS, this “slow down” would result in an increase in cognitive symptoms. However, no researchers have proven that this is true.
Stress from MS
While there isn’t clear proof that stress can cause MS symptoms, there is no doubt that having MS is stressful. There are many emotional, physical and even financial challenges in having MS that contribute to both chronic and acute stress. Some examples are:
• The unpredictable nature of MS
• Appearance of new symptoms
• Concerns with health insurance
• Concerns with employment
• Needing help from others
• and many more
Every person with MS should develop a proactive system for coping with stress.
Coping with Stress from MS
There are many ways of coping with stress. Here is a sample of some stress-reduction approaches that people living with MS should consider developing:

• Social Support: When a relapse occurs or symptoms worsen, you may need help to get to your doctor’s office, fulfill your responsibilities or just make dinner. Cultivate your network of friends and family. Keep close ties with the people you can depend on. Let them know how important they are in your life. When you are feeling good, try to help them.

• Relaxation: Relaxation is the best way to combat stress in your body. When you are under stress, your body releases certain stress-related hormones. By relaxing, you can reverse this process. A breathing technique known as the relaxation response has been proven to reverse the effects of stress in your body. You can also learn meditation, yoga or gentle stretching. Anything that relaxes you is great – a lukewarm bath, candles, music or whatever works for you.

• Planning: We don’t like to think about times when symptoms worsen, but having a plan in place will make everything go easier. Think about what would change in your life if you were having a relapse. Who would take you to the doctor? Who would watch the kids? What about work? Go through your typical day and consider how you could deal with each complication. Talk to the people you would need to depend on before you need them. Set aside a little ‘relapse fund’ for takeout, massages and anything else you might need. Creating a relapse plan for MS can make a big difference when things are difficult.
Stress as an MS Cause

A study in Denmark used national health registry data to examine if stress could be a cause for MS. This study found 21,000 parents who had child that died. They compared them to almost 300,000 other parents. In the group that had lost a child, 28 people (or 1/750) developed MS. In the comparison group, 230 people (or 1/1300) did. The people who had lost a child were 1.5 times more likely to develop MS. If the child was lost unexpectedly, the risk increased to more than twice as likely to develop MS.

This doesn’t mean that the stress of being stuck in traffic can cause MS. The type of stress the researchers studied was a very specific and deep stress. The loss of child can profoundly impact parents. Researchers were not able to assess how the parents coped with the loss of a child. There was no data on depression, grief duration or coping methods. The interesting finding here is that the emotional impact of the loss of a child increases the risk of MS. There is something more complex than simple physiological mechanisms impacting MS risk.

Sources:
Brown RF, Tennant CC, Sharrock M, Hodgkinson S, Pollard JD. Relationship between stress and relapse in multiple sclerosis: Part I. Mult Scler. 2006 Aug;12(4):453-64.
Brown RF, Tennant CC, Sharrock M, Hodgkinson S, Pollard JD. Relationship between stress and relapse in multiple sclerosis: Part II. Mult Scler. 2006 Aug;12(4):453-64.
J. Li, MD, MSc, C. Johansen, MD, PhD, H. Brønnum–Hansen, MSc, E. Stenager, MD, N. Koch–Henriksen, MD, PhD and J. Olsen, MD, PhD. The risk of multiple sclerosis in bereaved parents. NEUROLOGY 2004;62:726-729


I think the article should be called Stress and Disease or Stress and Health.

All of us, whether ill or not should develop coping mechanisms.

I personally try to reduce the stress in my life by simply avoiding what causes me stress.

I always need order around me; so slowly and steadily, everything in my life has been organized and arranged the way I want it. When things are not in order, my stress levels are heightened. Therefore, as much as possible, I am surrounded by order and the lack of chaos.

I avoid bad news. My day starts by listening to the classical station on the radio. It is on through out the day and even in my car. I used to listen to the news talk stations but found that I got too wound up in the debates and discussions. I do not read newspapers and do not listen to the news. There is too much bad news and negativity in them.

Meditation , yoga and spiritual therapy are of the greatest help to maintain a calm, sane mind. I do my yoga and breathing exercises every morning as soon as I wake up and meditate soon after I have finished with my yoga. During the day, I am constantly praying or having a conversation with the Divine (whatever that may be, whoever that may be),
It is important to feed the spirit so that the spirit can help carry the burdens of the world. I should say volunteer work and the fulfillment that comes with it, falls under this category.
I cannot do as much volunteer work as I would like to but I still do my share while a keeping my limitations in mind.

Retail therapy, which is one of my favorite therapies, also helps. I love browsing and sometimes I will just go into a store and go around browsing. I do not have to buy, I just enjoy looking. This takes my mind of everything else that is bothering me. It really is like a meditation!

Reading and music also play a huge part in keeping my stress level to a minimum. Whether it is spiritual music, classical or New Age, the genre does not matter. It just relaxes me. I read short stories because my attention span is short. Writing that make me think and ponder are of great help in keeping me sane. Puzzles help keep my mind alert. I enjoy sitting in my back yard and reading while listening to classical music. The birds, squirrels and the light rustling of leaves, the chimes, all help keep my sane.

Finally, there is the happiness therapy. I surround myself with love and laughter. I watch TV shows that make me laugh, I read jokes in the Reader's Digest when I am in the bathroom (there is nothing else to do there anyway).
I am lucky to be surrounded with people who love me, be it friends or family. A hug here, a kiss there and a gesture of kindness, all help.
Talking to my loved ones keeps me from constantly pondering on thoughts that would otherwise, increase my level of stress.

It is important to find what heps reduce the stress in your life and keep these close to you, always. Do not become a victim of circumstances. Change the circumstances where and when you can.


The only limits in our life are those we impose on ourselves.
- Bob Proctor

Gratitude is an attitude that hooks us up to our source of supply.
And the more grateful you are, the closer you become to your maker,
to the architect of the universe, to the spiritual core of your being.
- Bob Proctor

We come this way but once.
We can either tiptoe through life
and hope we get to death without being badly bruised
or we can live a full, complete life
achieving our goals and realizing our wildest dreams.
- Bob Proctor

Choose today to break through whatever limits that are holding you back from living your greatest life.
Whether you live with MS, another illness or any other mental, physical, emotional or spiritual challenge, you can introduce small changes to your lifestyle to learn to live with pride, joy and acceptance. It is these small changes and coping mechanisms that will be intrumental on your journey toward healing.
I know they were and continue to be for me.

If for any reason you falter and fall off your wagon, get on it again and again and again.

Thought For Everyday.............................

Fill every thought with determination,
Every step with courage
and every word with love.

A new attempt at healing my body...........

I have started a new treatment – Colloidal Silver (Ionic Silver)

It is made by taking 2 silver electrodes and placing them in 100 % pure water (distilled water) and passing a current through the water. Microscopic particles of silver go into the water and as long as it’s pure, they stay in that tiny particle size.

Silver has the property of not combining with organs or tissues of the body. It just passes through it. While passing through it, the ionic silver will kill any single celled organisms it comes in contact with.
The ions of silver are positively charged and they only adversely affect single celled organisms, like viruses, bacteria and fungi. When the silver ions come into contact with these organisms, it discharges their negative property, therefore killing them.

In order to ensure that the good bacteria in the intestines are maintained, I take pro-biotics twice a day. This is not the pro-biotics in the ‘belly dancing causing’ yogurt that takes two weeks to work, but actual pills that are strong enough to work almost instantaneously.

The intention is to kill any and all one celled things in my body. This will then enable my body to start healing itself. There is a theory that viruses or bacteria are responsible for MS as well as many other ‘incurable illnesses”.
Once the organisms in my body are dead, I will then begin a regimen of intravenous hydrogen peroxide in small doses, (administered by a knowledgeable Doctor) so as not to harm the body by over-dose. This will provide extra oxygen to my body so that my cells and organs can get stronger, and then repair whatever damage has occurred in my body due to illnesses and toxins ingested over the years.

Hydrogen Peroxide is water with an extra molecule of oxygen. When delivered intravenously, the hydrogen peroxide breaks down to water and oxygen. This enables the cells to be oxygenated and promote better healing.

I have started with 2 glasses of colloidal silver water each day. This is in addition to the alkaline water I take regularly.

Before the intravenous hydrogen peroxide treatment starts, I will be adding drops of hydrogen peroxide to my colloidal silver to help break down the particles of silver even more. This will enable the silver to reach more areas of the body.

In this way, I try new treatments that make sense to me to keep me on this road to better health and improved life with MS.

Do I know if this will work? No but I keep my fingers and everything else crossed.

March 23rd Appointment

I had my Live Blood Cell Analysis yesterday.

The blood work was good.
The cells are formed well and the clumping is still there but a lot less. This clumping is as a result of not digesting proteins well.
The blood work also showed that the white cells were strong and healthy and also that the organs were doing well.

However, the tingling in my feet has increased over the past three weeks and something has caused it to worsen. We could not pin point what has changed. I thought it was because of my exercise. I have a strict exercise and weight training routine for every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I thought that the exercises, however vital, were too much and causing my tingling to return. Dr. Chang did not think so and she said to continue with the exercise as it was very important to build muscle mass, especially with the MS.

I have been off all my supplements for over three months since I started the alkaline water and my mineral count showed as low. This is probably to do with the digestion of protein and am taking a supplement - Wobenzyme, to help digest the protein and break it down. I have just started this today.

Overall it was a good report. Keep doing what I am doing with extra care to eat more proteins, more legumes, organic vegetables and less carbohydrates.

I was quite pleased.

Things are not looking up but, they are not looking down either and the 'no change' is better than 'worse'.

The good thing about my treatments is that when a symptom comes back, instead of prescribing a pill to camouflage the symptom, my doctor asks, "Why is it here?" and "What is causing it to re-appear?".
Since I already know how there is a cause and effect to everything in my life, the effect is my tingling and all I have to do is find the cause.

This way, my treatment progresses with exact answers to why, what and when. It is not left to the imagination or explained as the natural progress of the illness. It needs an answer and we will not stop till we get it.

We are also entertaining a new idea - Hydrogen Peroxide treatment. There are nothing but good things about Hydrogen Peroxide treatments and Dr Chang said it would be worth a try. There are some negative effects - hyper oxygenation but I do not know enough to write about it yet.

Right now, I am content with the progress.

In the mean time, I still continue to teach Adult Literacy classes every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, story telling for kids on Fridays and a religious class on Saturdays.
This is what keeps me occupied and fulfilled.

It is all very rewarding, especially when I see a light bulb go on in my students' heads.

Whenever one sun sets, another rises................................... somwhere.

I Have Good News and Bad News is a part of my life...............

I have just returned from a follow up appointment with my Naturopath.

I had another blood test and there was a drastic improvement as compared to the previous one. The blood cells were not clumped like the last time. The blood showed a marked improvement. I am still off all the pills and despite that, there is a drastic improvement.

This is good news.

Yay to the Magnesium Citramate and the Alkaline water.

Now I have to maintain this. My blood has not been this good since November of 2009. It took over a year to get it to where it was because of toxicity, my trip to the West Coast, overdoing it emotionally, mentally and physically.

Back to the great care, recognizing limits and thanks to the alkaline water, things are back to where they were.
It has been a long journey but well worth it.

The bad news is that I cannot travel in the near future because it will only set back the progress made so far and I was so hoping to go to Kenya to visit my family.

Life continues as must I. The striving toward better health despite my Multiple Sclerosis is a journey, not a destination and the journey is ongoing.

I can speak to my family on Skype instead. I know they understand.

GRATITUDE

The struggle ends when the gratitude begins.
- Neale Donald Walsch

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, Thank You, that would suffice.- Meister Eckhart

Gratitude is the memory of the heart.- Jean Baptiste Massieu

Appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy, however stale these experiences may have become to others.- Abraham Maslow

Never let frustration or disappointment tarnish your appreciation for all that is good in life. Every day say Thank You to the source of all that is good.

Latest Update.......... I Have Good News and Bad News

My last appointment with my Naturopath was a little disappointing.

While I continue to relentlessly maintain a gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, egg free and chemical free lifestyle, I have also recently added alkaline water. I already had a reverse osmosis water filter. The alkaline water was in addition to the reverse osmosis water.
It ended being another good news bad news scenario (It seems this is the story of my life).

Apparently all my supplements plus the alkaline water were giving me a much stronger dose of minerals than my body could handle and I suffered a severe dose of diarrhea for over four weeks. My already compromised immune system was weakened and I caught a cold. These were some of the bad news.

This led to my blood cells drying out and my latest blood analysis showed that there is a lot of clumping in my cells

I have since stopped all pill vitamins and everything seems to be quite normal. This, ironically is also good news.

Despite being off most of my pill supplements for over three weeks , I am feeling quite well. This was the best news.

My hands and feet get cold and that can only be because of the quality of my blood and therefore, poor circulation. This was another bad news.

I am now trying to improve my blood by sipping my water instead of drinking a lot at a time. Maximum intake of a half a glass every half an hour.
This gives the body and the blood cells a chance to absorb the water rather than have it just flow right through me.

In a week, I will introduce a fruit juice and/or Magnesium Citrimate to my water to encourage absorption.

The blood did show an elimintation of heavy metals. (This can only be as a result of the alkaline water). This was another good news.

I have another test in three weeks and I am hoping to turn this around. In the meantime, more water and more greens to help with elimination and hopefully the blood test will show some positive changes.

Here's hoping......................................