The day may have been bright and sunny in Vancouver, but there were clouds above my head as I stepped out of the office tower of Dr. Hashimoto’s office. The day was a little more gray. It was dull. I had trouble seeing any colour or any of the surrounding beauty. As I left the doctor’s office I thought about our closing conversation, and the treatment options to control relapsing-remitting MS. Dr. Hashimoto explained there were not a lot of current options, but he is excited about a crop of new drugs being researched that will soon be introduced to the market. He gave a 10-year timeline for a cure.
The drugs made for an interesting part of our conversation. I just have numb legs and I’m told the numbness may subside over time. I questioned why I would start a drug when I don’t even like taking something for a minor headache? The cure part is what I’m more hopeful of.
He mentioned the current approved drug lineup – Avonex, Rebif , Betaseron and Copaxone – all are options for relapsing-remitting MS. He then mentioned he was excited about a new drug called Tysabri. However, he followed up, it’s introduction to the market has been temporarily put on hold because of a recent death – the death attributed to complications with the drug. He said the manufacturer has been looking into the problem, and speculated that it’s most likely related to a previous condition with the patient.
Well that’s a comfort.
Take a drug to help your condition, then die. I’m not that desperate. In order to enroll in any of the current lineup of drugs I would have to attend the MS clinic at UBC. Sounds like more time away from work and family. Nope, I’m not ready. I’m going to take my chance on fixing this without drugs. I’m going to let my new diet do the work.
This will go away.
The four-hour drive home was a blur. I arrived home and wondered how I managed to get there. I was driving, but my mind wasn’t focussed on the journey.
I spent the next few weeks online doing research on MS and diets. I changed the way I ate – I initially subscribed to the theory of the caveman diet. Cavemen lived healthy lives I speculated – and they had great teeth. I got a little goofy about my diet. Everyday I came to another conclusion about the food I ate. I got rid of highly refined foods. Everything has to be fresh. I tore shelves apart, and either threw away or gave away food that I deemed to be unhealthy. I read somewhere that wheat products are bad for me. I went on a quest to buy wheat alternatives. I bought flour from sources I had never heard of. I bought Amaranth and rice flours, along with a variety of others. I bought chocolate cake packages that are gluten free (don’t know if they’re any good). I bought buckwheat in a large quantity to have hot breakfast cereal. I bought packages of gluten-free healthy hot cereals to replace my morning oatmeal. This is expensive, but I’m determined.
I had quit dairy several months ago with surprising results. All my symptoms of seasonal allergies went away. For as long as I can remember, I would spend spring and a good part of summer, as a red-eyed, runny nose, sniffling fool. I had constant headaches (likely from all the sniffling). I took oral allergy medication and I was on a prescription allergy med that I snorted up my nose. All those symptoms disappeared within weeks of not drinking milk (I still eat cheese but in limited quantities).
I bought vast quantities of diet-related self-help books. The lightly read books are still sitting on shelves around the house collecting dust. All have different takes on eating for good health. Some are even useful. One book I found very good is “Eating Alive” by Dr. Jonn Matsen, N.D. It’s an interesting partial read, but the best part is its recipe for guacamole.
I sought alternative healthcare. I made an appointment with a naturopathic doctor in Kelowna. After telling the ND of my diagnosis, the ND said I have to change my diet, and gave me some changes to think about. I inquired about food allergies and told him of the positive results I‘ve had from quitting milk. He appeared a bit excited as he told me of an instrument he has to measure my sensitivities to certain kinds of foods. From his excitement I thought it would be a great idea to follow this through. I agreed to be tested. He had an assistant take me to another room.
I quickly surveyed the room. Welcome to Frankenstein’s lab. There was this odd-looking machine propped up against the wall. It looked like something out of the 1950s. A piece of equipment from a low rated sci-fi movie, or the captain’s deck in Star Trek. The testing began after the instrument warmed up. The assistant gave me a probe to hold on to, then pulled out a box of marked vials. The vials were marked with names of a variety of foods and food types. She then took a different probe, picked a finger on my opposite hand where she rubbed my fingernail as she placed different vials on the instrument. If the dial goes wonky – presto I’m allergic, or, sensitive. What really became sensitive was my fingernail from all the rubbing.
“Is this for real,” I questioned the assistant. She gave me some well-rehearsed answer. I looked around to see if there were cameras in the room. Somebody is putting me on. Very non-scientific tests that I’m paying big bucks for. I think I’m a little more educated than this. Food sensitivities are done through blood testing not from weird diagnostic equipment. The only thing I took from it is I’m sensitive to tomatoes, and I’m broke. I am not swayed by a machine that gave me a sore fingernail.
I had time to think on my way home. Upon reflection of my day, I decided I’m going to quit coffee.
I love coffee.
My legs are still numb.
On The Road With MS 