October 27, 2010

Dani Hay, another MSer, sent this  to a site where I spend quite a bit of time - http://ccsvi-ms.ning.com/  All the points are important but I have bolded point #4. In this 'Just Add Water and Stir" world, it is good to be reminded that not everything is instant - no matter how we wish it were. And - Some things are worth waiting for.


To those friends and relatives who do not have MS themselves:

As I understand it, a lot of the changes are not immediately obvious to anyone but the patient - feeling the numbness leave one's hands, hearing sounds long forgotten because the brain ceased to register them, seeing any amount better than previously and etc. So while a few may be able to get off the operating table and dance immediately, more will have to work their way up to dancing mode. Here is the letter Dani sent:

    I got this info from a fellow treated MSer. I thought it would be helpful info.a Post Angioplasty Tips
    Here's a great email I got from a friend of mine:
    1. Some people take to 2 - 3 months after the angioplasty to BEGIN to see improvement.
    2. There are definitely ups and downs as you are healing. This is NORMAL for you to have good days and bads days. But rest assured the Bad days are still nothing like before and you bounce back
    3. You can experience improvement for up to 18 months after the procedure.
    4. It took Mrs. Zamboni 18 months to feel "normal".
    5. Some people feel more improvement when they raise the head of their bed because it improves circulation when they're sleeping. It's called Inclined Bed Therapy.
    6. Drink lots of water! Being dehydrated can bring on MS symptoms. So much water your eyeballs float!
    7. Make sure you exercise because your body may need to "re-establish" nerve pathways and build up muscles that have atrophied from disuse. Seeing a good physiotherapist is essential in recovery.
    8. Watch your stress levels. Try relaxation techniques to calm down if you feel you are getting stressed as this is NOT GOOD for your health when you have MS. I try to remember nothing is worth me getting sick over.
    9. Make sure you are still seeing your Doctor for follow up care.
    10. I take no medications now for my MS have haven’t since my procedure. I went to research what natural supplements I should look into and recommend a free website that gives a lot of very good information about this topic at ccsvi.org
    11. Sometimes the improvements are so small on a day to day basis that you don't realize them, but one day you wake up and find that you ARE getting better!
    There is going to be a lot more progress in the months and years to come. Welcome to the “Awesome Zone” of Proper Blood Flow and please pass these tips onto other MS friends who would like them it helped me so pay it forward I say.

    Michelle Walsh


Hope this helps everyone!