The MS Recovery Diet by Ann Sawyer and Judi Bachrach

Hi there everyone. I've been on the diet for seven months now and am still experimenting with my foods. I'm on a pretty strict version at this time. I've seen some improvements but have some ways to go yet. One of my problems is depression and anxiety. The depression comes and goes, but sometimes it's quite prevalent. I've been toying with the idea of taking an anti-depressant to help me through it a bit, but I hate to take anything that messes with my mind! especially since I've worked so hard to clear my body of any bothersome inputs. So, I wanted to know if others out there have found help in anti-depressants, and, if so, have you found it to impact your MS symptoms at all? As for the anxiety, it's two-fold. . .there is the anxiety that comes in the middle of the night, where I worry excessively. I'm working on some spiritual healing type thought processes for this. Reading the book "you can heal your life" by Louise Hays seems to offer some great ideas for this. The other form of anxiety is that very uncomfortable feeling that I'll get when I'm in a social situation and I feel like what I'm saying isn't making any sense but I can't stop myself from talking! And then I feel like everyone is looking at my like I'm crazy, because I'm clearly not making any sense! It's a horrid feeling! UGH! It's a direct symptom of the MS for me, but it can really make a simple outing feel very uncomfortable--particularly if my mind just isn't working well that day. So, I wondered if others have found relief from the diet in this area? Any ideas/guidance are appreciated. I wonder if my healing would go more smoothly if I took something to help my mind smooth out. . .or, perhaps, I have to wait until my healing is further down the road and then this will all just take care of itself?!?

Spelt and Kamut flour both seem to be a form of wheat yet they are listed as acceptable flour in the book. I tried rice flour and it does not work well at all for baking. Also the book uses aquave for a sweetner, I always read that honey is one of the most easily digested foods. How come we can't use honey? Finally any suggestions for nuts? I know we can't eat peanuts so I bought cashews only to discover they are processed in cottonseed and peanut oil. All of the nuts seem to be processed on machinery used to process peanuts. Is that a small enough exposure; to eat nuts that are processed on machinery used for peanuts?

I forgot to mention that along with turkey and chicken, I eat every kind of low mercury fish as well. Thanks. 56sweetpea

I was diagnosed in 1988 with RRMS. I had my first attack of optic neuritis in 1977. Between 1977 and 1988, I had a whole host of symptoms including fatigue, weakness, numbness, tingling, bladder and bowel problems, optic neuritis in my other eye and vertigo, to which the Neurologist blamed on stress, virus, etc. In May 2000, I went on Rebif and am still on it today. My Neurologist says it has changed into SPMS (no relapses but a steady decline in symptoms) I developed a weakened left side and a limp. I started using a cane 3 years ago and progressed to a walker 1 year ago. I have been on supplements including Vitamin D, COQ10, Multi Vite, B Complex, EFA's, Selenium, Probiotic and a Digestive Enzyme. I kept getting worse, until February 1st 2009, when I started the Recovery Diet. Within the first month, I noted less fatigue, I was able to do10 minutes on the slowest speed of the treadmill(everyday) much more energy, more strength, clear head, no slurring, fewer cognitive problems (word retrieval, memory, concentration) I was so excited, that I increased my time on the treadmill and did quite a few things that set me back a bit. Fatigue is still at the back door if I overdo, and I still limp and use the cane when I go out. I try to get rest each day as well as deep breathing and eliminate all stress. My family is very helpful and my daughter who has Celiac Disease and is a Vegan is our family cook. Going through her ordeal has made it so easy to stick to no eggs, gluten free foods, no dairy, legumes and yeast. I also have eliminated sugar, corn, caffeine, saturated fat )(less than 15 grams) and no red meat. I eat lean chicken and turkey (white meat only) all veggies, fruit, and grains ( millet, teff, quinoa, chia, buckwheat) almond butter, rice milk, flax seed and hemp oil, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and pecans. I have kept all my gains so far to the 3 month and 1 week period. I can hardly wait to see what happens in another month. The gains are slow but I am very hopeful and optimistic. I'll keep you posted on my progress and good luck to all.

Hey I've only just been diagnosed with MS and don't actually know what type or anything at the moment. I initially just had an area of inflammation in my spine but it left me weak in my left side with some slight sensory symptoms on my right, it was pretty severe. I responded well to IV steroids luckily and started getting better but then just last week I got optic neuritis (pain free luckily) and then my sensory symptoms came back in my right side and my left side started to get weak again. So I've got loads of questions to take to my neuro in a few weeks time when I go to see him but want to start doing what I can to look after myself before then.

So I started researching and came across a few diets (this, Swank and Jeneilik). From what I've read on this website it all makes sense and I've ordered the book and am waiting for it to be delivered. I've had an intolerance to lactose for years and other foods such as pitta and some feta cheese and wholemeal pasta which I've learnt about through cutting things out of my diet. I love cheese, chips, lamb, chocolate and pizza and it will be hard for me to cut those out but before I got sick I was exercising 5 times a week and felt really good and want to feel that health again and I'm only 25 and a control freak and want to be able to enjoy my life.

I'm slowly starting to change my diet this week. I've gone and chucked out the sugar, cheese, butter and my porridge oats and replaced my porridge with gluten free porridge.

I've a few questions really:

Do you take supplements and what should I be looking for when in the pharmacy and buying my supplements?
Can I drink decafinated tea?
What about Squash? I love Robinsons lemon squash (no added sugar).
Are there any of you from the UK? It would be good to know of people who are managing to buy the right foods in the UK.

Thanks

Louise