Functionality and multiple sclerosis (MS) are fast becoming opposites unless we pay close attention and intervene. This disease has been baffling scientists since 1868 and patients are left fending for themselves. As a patient, diagnosed with multiple autoimmune syndrome, including SPMS, I was told that the inflammatory markers are through the roof, the approximately 30 lesions in my brain are concentrated in the cerebellum thus making movement almost impossible. Today I feel blessed to be walking, driving, and dancing again. My world of pain, depression, discomfort, and dependency has shifted.
When I realized that the pharmaceutical industry is trying its best for the last one hundred and fifty-three years with no results, there must be something wrong with their approach. I was right. When it comes to medical research, on average, it takes at least 15 to 25 years for a new medicine to complete the journey from initial discovery to the marketplace, with clinical trials alone taking six to seven years on average. The average cost to research and develop each successful drug is estimated to be $2.6 billion. The hidden triggers in MS are not something the pharmaceutical industry can research in order to regain their massive investment. Here’s why! Which board member will agree to a research project that takes 20 years and over two billion dollars just to inform the MS patient that they should avoid the heat, bright lights loud sounds, gluten, dairy, meat, sugar, alcohol, and stress as these are the deadly triggers that are ruining our lives. For me, I am so grateful that the penny dropped.
While the scientists and neurologists say the jury is still out as to what is causing MS, I am making huge strides to get my life back on track. Our doctors’ hands are tied by the Health Professions Council of South Africa which is a statutory body, established in terms of the Health Professions Act and is committed to protecting the public and guiding the professions. For as long as the pharmaceutical industry does not produce the research, our doctors and neurologists are obligated to stay off the topic like food for example. I am so grateful for my background knowledge and the fact that I live in a home that is surrounded by pharmacists and a naturopath. My journey to figure out what the medical industry is incapable of doing has brought into my world a new level of functionality and quality of life.
While my doctors and MS colleagues still ponder on my results, I am having the time of my life. I live a highly disciplined and purposeful life. Instead of sitting up and being hopeful, fellow patients have accused me of being misdiagnosed because there is no way I should be so functional with my diagnosis. Initially, I considered my diagnosis so dangerous that I had four specialist neurologists(two of which are professors) examine me. They all came to the same conclusion. I had just entered a space of severe pain and debilitation according to my blood reports and MRI scan. In spite of this, I am choosing to find that beautiful space where I can enjoy pain-free days and mindful conversations again.
I have done intensive research on myself. Using water fasts as a tool, I was able to figure out all the inflammatory foods that were igniting an inflammatory immune response and hurting my body. I had to give up so many of my favorite foods when I learned that they hurt my brain. This was initially so challenging until my son pointed out how insanely foolish my behavior was. I had the unique opportunity to stop my relapses and yet I was falling prey to my food cravings. I was choosing between brain function and chocolate cake! I was choosing between brain function and having fun outside on a hot summer’s day! I was choosing between brain function and socializing and partying like I used to! I was fast becoming aware of the many ways I could actually bring back functionality into my body.
I had to change my terms of engagement with my body and mind. With this new attitude, I was back in the driver’s seat of my life and it felt so good. This new way of being is only challenging when I forget that I am protecting and saving my brain cells when I choose to be vegan, gluten-free, and nightshade-free and live in temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees celsius surrounded by Indian classical music.
In order to have any chance of living a wholesome life once diagnosed with chronic conditions or autoimmune disease, we have to have a shift in consciousness. The same level of thinking that caused the problem cannot solve the problem. I have discovered that when I change the way I look at things, the things I look at change. I am learning to embrace the new me and celebrate how much functionality and quality of life I have given myself even though medical science said I couldn’t.