How is everybody doing? I am almost at the end of my first month of Rebif and besides the stinging and the adorable (not) little red circles on my body where the shot was given, it's tolerable. Next week I go from 22 to 44 mcg though, so we'll see what happens. This week I am going to jump start with some liquid/pudding diet stuff I have, plus some Slimfast. I just want to get to under 200 and stay there. My doc says that would greatly improve things.
A shout out to all of you who do water aerobics *YaY*. I don't walk very well/fast so I had to find another cardio method. I work part time at a fitness center so I have a free membership. Water exercise outdoors is awesome! You can do so many things in the water that you can't do on land.
As for diet, I found a thread here on the boards about "The No S Diet" ie: No Snacks, No Sweets, No Seconds except on days that start with S. Google it and see.
It has been a wee while since I checked in this thread. I was diagnosed with MS in 1999 since then I have just trundled along with life. Looking back to what I was able to do I have deteriorated slowly but no specific point in that time I could name that was the cause for this. I was diagnosed with secondary progressive MS recently.
I unfortunately about 6 weeks ago had an exacerbation but I tried to treat this time as maintenance. I have been unable to exercise due to my sensory symptoms and being so unsteady on my feet. During this time I gained and lost the same pound so I was really pleased. I am now on the road to recovery and able to exercise a little so this week on the scales on my weekly weigh in I had lost 2lbs
Despite having MS I have steadily lost weight over a period of 15 months, maybe not as quick as others but I am pleased at my achievements never the less.
shootingstar - there is hope! the reforumlated Rebif has been available in Canada since early 08.. the stinging is almost non existant and the red welts are waaaay less too. Hang in there!
I've been really struggling with fatigue because of the summer heat.
My neuro says my weight loss is the major factor in managing my MS (I thought it was the Rebif). we can do this kim
Thanks Val for the lovely words but you also have done FANTASTIC. I have just seen your new avatar it is a beautiful picture of you and shows wonderfully how slim you look.
I am not on Rebif shootingstar but from my knowlegde it normally gets better over time like Val explained. So just hang in tight over the rough period and hopefully you will soon have the benefits from this medication.
Fatigue is a major factor with many MSer and even worse in warm climates. I am fortunate that I live in a much more cooler climate. If it gets so bad Val the fatigue that all you seem to want to do is sleep try discussing your options with your doctor that may help.
My name is Shoshie and I have Multiple Sclerosis. I am 38 years old and I live in Australia. I am on Rebif.
I have had two major attacks in the last year, and have had to stop working.
I had a lap band inserted in 2007. I am glad that I did now as my MS is slowly getting worse.
SHOSHIE ~ we have a PHYSICAL CHALLENGES thread in this forum that has two other MS'ers in it; maybe you'd like to come by and chat with us there. Everyone in that thread and this forum have some kind of physical challenges to deal with while trying to lose weight and keep it off.
There is also a SURGERY thread/forum here that you might like to check into; both places have very supportive folks in them. Glad you found us.
I was diagnosed in 1998 after bouts of leg and feet tingling and then double vision. I am on Avonex. I take Neurontin for leg pain and provigil for fatigue.
I had to stop working as a teacher. It was too exhausting. So now I work in an office. The heat also wipes me out. So I try to stay in the air conditioning all summer. I initially lost weight when I was diagnosed, trying to stay healthy, but I started feeling sorry for myself and those little hersehy kisses made me feel better. Now I am paying the price with being overweight. Let's try to stay in touch on this site. Any ideas??
Ditto on the Provigil, it has worked wonders for my energy levels, just be careful if you are taking BC pills, my neurologist forgot to tell us that Provigil affects hormonal BC, boy were we lucky to find out sooner than later. I want kids just not yet!
Shoshie to the thread. I am glad the weight loss tool of the lap band has helped you with the progression of the disease of MS.
I am glad I have lost the weight as well as my MS has deteriorated over time but I am sure that my mobility would have gone altogether had I not lost the bulk of my weight.
I was diagnosed in 2007, after a bout of optical neuritis. I believe that's what they called it. I haven't had any major relapses since being diagnosed. I am on Rebif now steadily (I stopped for about a yr). I hate the boo boos from the injections and side effects. However, I am grateful for my luck thus far. I only really experience the fatigue symptom on a regular basis.
From time to time I get moody, not sure if that's the MS. Oh, and I will never let this disease win! I love that you all are fighters, and all seem to have the same mentality about MS. I know that diet and exercise can greatly improve MS symptoms, which will be a plus to losing the rest of this weight.
Thanks for sending me over here. Oh yes, MS can make one moody. I am heat sensitive too. Someone asked me once if heat affected me. My reply was, "No... It just makes me CRANKY!!!"
I have learned quite a few tricks over the years to stay cool or cool off quickly.
I wonder why MS doesn't seem to make me hate pizza?
so this week on the scales on my weekly weigh in I had lost 2lbs 
She's done so well!
SHOSHIE ~ we have a PHYSICAL CHALLENGES thread in this forum that has two other MS'ers in it; maybe you'd like to come by and chat with us there. Everyone in that thread and this forum have some kind of physical challenges to deal with while trying to lose weight and keep it off. 
hi shoshie!
Shoshie to the thread. I am glad the weight loss tool of the lap band has helped you with the progression of the disease of MS.
