Category Archives: Illnesses

Thoughts in my mind

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When I was younger, politics was never a topic I had any interest in following. It was not clear to me when and if any politician was being sincere, truthful, or had the best interests of anyone besides themselves in mind. As I have gotten older and slightly less blind or ignorant to the way our political system operates, the only thing that appears crystal clear is the vast majority of our political leaders have forgotten what it means to be honest. It does not matter what the party is, they all have one general thing in common, and it is not the best quality, as it is complete and utter dishonesty.

Political rhetoric has been an overwhelming and toxic predicament in the United States for far too long. These issues should never have escalated to the extreme levels it has over the last several years. It seems unheard, of that, anyone can either agree or at least agree to disagree on many of the HOT topics flooding the country. None of the differences of opinion should create turmoil and animosity, especially among family and friends. Life is too short, and tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone, so we should avoid disagreements that offer no resolutions and only endanger feelings.

We will always encounter people that have different opinions, and we should not feel like we cannot have a normal and civilized conversation with these people. Chances are, you are already aware of the opinions of your family, friends, and even though it may be forbidden to discuss at work, your co-workers as well. Understanding things like this in advance can help you avoid any topics where a potential debate is inevitable.

I think everyone must understand that there is nothing sinister about being friendly and accepting of those from an opposing political party. It is natural and normal to have beliefs, and even feel strongly about those beliefs. It will not be a surprise to anyone that has read my previous posts, I am not and never will be a supporter of Donald Trump. I do not agree with the way he behaves or his treatment of others, but that is who he is and who I am. I also do not care much for the current President. It is 2023 and we need to learn to be more accepting and not continue to behave the same as many did decades ago. With the years comes change and therefore, I believe we are in dire need of someone younger and more accepting of the changes.

To get away from politics, I have so many questions that I do not believe have answers. Why are people so scared of those that are different? Should people not be free to love, even if they love differently than others do? Why should a woman not be the ONLY one with rights to her body? Why should the government or state have control over a woman’s body? Why in the richest country in the world do we have so many that are homeless? Why in a country that believes they have rights over a woman’s reproductive system, are there so many children without a family, food, or everything else every child deserves? Why, in a country that says they have the best medical schools in the world, does mental health go unnoticed? Why is there limited help for those battling addiction and more opportunities to become addicted? Why in a country with supposedly the topic ranked scientists are cures for diseases not progressing?

I do understand that some people reading this post will not agree with me because of their beliefs, and I can accept that. I can respect others’ beliefs as long as they can respect mine. Even though I do understand, many disagree with abortion, I would like to understand why. If a woman is raped, why should she be forced to keep her rapist’s baby even though adoption can be an option, why should she be forced to carry the baby for 9 very long months? Why should anyone feel shamed for loving someone of the same sex? Who cares, love does not damage anyone else’s life. I have hoped for over 20 years for a cure for Multiple Sclerosis or cancers that have taken people I loved away from me.

I hope you have enjoyed your weekend. Yes, I already know how incredibly short it has been and it is slightly upsetting that the workweek will begin again tomorrow, but maybe the upcoming week will be promising. Next week is going to be a little longer because I have a follow-up appointment with my pain management doctor and I will be working longer days to make up the time I will miss, but I do hope it will be a good week.

Thank you for visiting my site today. Whether you agree or disagree with me, I would still enjoy reading your comments and I will respond as quickly as possible. Today is another rainy day where I live, which always makes my pain my higher. Unfortunately, where I live it rains a lot and I know I just need to deal with it the best way that I can. I hope your last day of the weekend is enjoyable and relaxing. Please never forget that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love, comfort, support, and MANY positive vibes!

Always, Alyssa

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First day of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

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Not only are we halfway through the week today, but it is also the first day of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. Of course, I am thrilled we are halfway through the week and that much closer to the weekend! How has your week been? I know there are still a few days left before the weekend returns, but is there anything you are looking forward to this weekend? This is out of character for me because I do not like or endorse violence, but there is a UFC fight happening on Saturday that I am looking forward to! The two fighters I am interested in watching are Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane. Of the two men, I am hoping Ciryl Gane wins because Jon Jones has allegedly hit his wife, and I cannot support anyone who does this!

Normally, I enjoy writing about things during the awareness months because it is interesting and provides useful information to those reading, but this one is a little harder for me because it is not just one month out of the year this affects me. I must deal with Multiple Sclerosis 365 days a year, and it never gives me a break. It would be amazing to get a break from this disease, even if it was just for one minute, but it is something that refuses to take a break. Honestly, I do know it could be worst, and I have an easier form of it, but for lack of better words, it still sucks!

Anyone that has been following my blog for any length of time, already knows that I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when I was 19 years old, which was over 20 years ago. It was a difficult diagnosis at such a young age, but in a way, it was better because I was able to start treatment early. Regardless of when I was diagnosed or how thankful I should be that I was able to start treatment early, it was terrifying because I knew next to nothing about the disease. This is just my first post of the month about Multiple Sclerosis and I plan to do more each week with the information I have learned during the years having lived with this not-so-fun and unpredictable disease. I do hope you will find the posts I shared with information useful!

Thank you for visiting my site today. I hope you enjoyed what I have shared and I look forward to reading your comments. Please know that I will respond to all comments as quickly as I can. I hope you have a wonderful day and remember that anything that does not get done today, tomorrow is another day. Please never forget that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love, comfort, support, and MANY positive vibes!

Always, Alyssa

Pick-Me-Up Thursday

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I try my best to never miss work, especially considering I work from home, but I did have to miss work yesterday. I have been dealing with increased pain and dizziness for several days, which I am assuming has to do with the constant weather changes because my body takes time to adjust so when the weather changes too frequently, I do not have time to adjust. The weather changes tend to wrack havoc on my body and make me miserable, but I should be used to this after over 20 years of living with Multiple Sclerosis.

It has always been difficult for me to call out of work sick because I end up beating myself up about it and think I should have just pushed myself a little harder. Missing work yesterday took a lot for me to do, but I will say I needed the time to take care of myself, which has never been something I was good at doing. I am much better as the caretaker of others than I am at taking care of myself. Even though I hated missing work, I will say that my amazing supervisor was understanding and a few of my co-workers even sent me messages to check on me. I guess you can say, I work with some incredible and very caring people😊!

We have made it through the majority of the week and only have a couple of days left before the weekend returns. With that said, I think we could all use a little pick-me-up to help us through the final part of the week! I hope you will enjoy the quote that I am sharing with you today and that it provides you with the fight to get through the last part of this week! The worst thing we can do to ourselves is to be an obstacle and get in our way of success because we are better than that and deserve more. We are strong and amazing individuals with much determination and strength! Of course, we all need a reminder of this!

Thank you for visiting my site today. I hope you have had a good week and you are feeling well. I hope you enjoyed what I have shared today and you found the quote helpful to get through the rest of the week. I am looking forward to reading your comments and I will respond as quickly as I can. Please never forget that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love, comfort, support, and MANY positive vibes!

Always, Alyssa

20 Plus Years….

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For the past 20-plus years, I have been forced to live with an incurable illness, Multiple Sclerosis. There have been various challenges I have encountered during the years, but the most frustrating has been how extremely unpredictable this illness is. It does not seem to matter if I follow my doctor’s recommendations and take the necessary medication daily, things can still go wrong. I do realize that I am one of the lucky ones living with this illness as it has not caused me to be disabled and required to use a wheelchair or a cane, but it has caused me many issues.

Of course, I have learned to deal with the pain that I feel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year as much as anyone can. Lately, the issue that has made me nervous is the increase in dizziness. This is an issue I have dealt with randomly before, but it has been way too frequently over the past few weeks. I have not let my doctor know about the increased dizziness and not sure that I am going to unless it gets worst. After all, I already know what this could mean and do not want her sending me for an MRI or pushing me to take steroids because both make me miserable.

In the past dizziness was a sign there were new or active lesions on my brain. I think to avoid increased levels of stress. I would rather not have a doctor tell me what I already feel like I know because all that would do is make my stress skyrocket and then cause even more issues. Considering I have lived with MS for so many years, I know the most important thing to do now is to, limit and reduce my stress levels, which will hopefully make things better with the dizziness.

I think taking the right steps to reduce stress is going to be the best course of action. I recently did a post about the benefits of journaling, so I am going to try doing this daily and still blog. Writing is a great way to reduce stress and express positive thoughts and vent negative emotions. Now that the temperatures are cooler, I am going to start crocheting again because this has always been relaxing for me. I would love to be able to donate the blankets I make to those who need them to stay warm.

Do you have any specific things you do to reduce stress and relax? We are all unique and have different ways to handle issues in life, but they are all important. No two people are the same, which is what makes the world so interesting. I believe if we were all the same, the world would be boring and not at all interesting. It would be great if we could all learn to accept our differences and still be kind and understanding to one another because this would make the world a better place.

Thank you for visiting my site today. I hope you enjoyed what I have shared, and you are enjoying your weekend. I am looking forward to reading your comments and I will respond as quickly as I possibly can. Thankfully, we do still have one day left to enjoy the weekend and I hope you can do so safely. Please never forget that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love, comfort, support, and MANY positive vibes!

Always, Alyssa

Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month Part 2

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March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and as I said in my post on March 3rd, I want to do a post about MS each week during the month. I know some information I have shared previously, but I do want to explain again what this disease is and the symptoms one might experience with this unpredictable disease. I also want to do my part in providing knowledge about Multiple Sclerosis to as many people as I can because it can easily be misunderstood or confused with other diseases. Please be advised that I am not a medical professional, but I am someone that has lived with MS for 21 years and has done countless hours of research.

Multiple Sclerosis is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. With Multiple Sclerosis, the immune system attacks the myelin, which is the protective sheath covering nerve fibers and causes communication issues between the brain and the rest of the body. In time this disease can cause permanent damage or deterioration of the nerves. Unfortunately, at this time there is no cure for MS, but medication can decrease the rate of progression.

The signs and symptoms can be different from person to person. No two people will experience the same signs and symptoms at the same time. Some symptoms that target movement are numbness and or weakness in one or more limbs, typically on one side of the body at a time. People may also experience an electric-shock sensation with certain neck movements. Others may suffer from a lack of coordination or unsteadiness.

A common complication with Multiple Sclerosis is vision problems. The issues with vision can vary from partial or complete vision loss, typically in one eye at a time. Others may have prolonged double vision or blurry vision. I remember when I was diagnosed with MS, I went to my eye doctor because I had lost vision completely in my left eye. Imagine being 19 years old going to the eye doctor thinking you are going blind and finding out the vision can be repaired, but you have a lifelong, incurable disease. It was a shock to my young mind, but I guess it was good news in a way.

Even though everyone experiences MS differently and deals with different symptoms, some common symptoms are slurry speech, problems with sexual, bowel, and bladder functions, fatigue, dizziness, tingling, and or pain in parts of the body.

I still have a few other posts I will be sharing about Multiple Sclerosis this month. I will be sharing a few reasons I get frustrated with this disease. I try my best to not get overly frustrated with others who do not understand or cannot comprehend the struggles I deal with, but I am only human and do get aggravated sometimes. I will also do a post to explain the different types of Multiple Sclerosis, so please stay tuned if you are interested.

Thank you for visiting my site today. I hope you are having a great and safe week. We have almost made it through this entire week and will be able to enjoy the weekend soon. Do you have any plans for the weekend? Whatever you do this weekend, please remember to continue to stay safe. I also want to remind everyone to continue keeping those living in Ukraine in your prayers. Unfortunately, the battle they are enduring is not over yet, but hopefully, they will find peace and safety during this tragic time. Please never forget that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love, comfort, support, and MANY positive vibes!

Always, Alyssa

A Never-Ending Journey

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As I continue to look for another work from home job, that is the right job and not a crapshoot it becomes more and more frustrating. Considering a few things, I know about myself are working later hours and cold calling people do not work for me and my personality. I do not want to have to be overly picky, but I also do not want to start a job and must resign a few days later. Thankfully, my husband is 150% on my side and does not want me to accept something I hate just to have a job. He continues to tell me that I deserve more and I do not have to accept the first thing that comes along.

The reason working later hours is a problem is because I tend to feel better the first part of the day and the pain, and neuropathy gets worse as the day goes on. Working after 3:00 or 4:00 is manageable, but normally after 5:00 or 6:00 I feel terrible and cannot function as well. How do you explain something like that to a future employer? I cannot think of a way another person would understand, so I am trying to find something that is a work from home and first shift. I do not mind working weekends because we do not do anything anyway, but the hours are not negotiable for me.

I do not know about you, but I detest sales calls. I do not appreciate being called and asked if I am interested in purchasing something because if it was something I wanted, I would be the one calling the company. And, I do not have a desire to call people trying to sell them life insurance. It is not in my nature to call people trying to force them to buy something and when they ask questions force me to not be 100% honest. If I were going to be paid to be a liar, I would have become an attorney or a politician. Of course, not all attorneys lie but most are not completely forthright.

The reason I am looking for a work-from-home job is not that I am demanding or difficult, but with COVID and my immune system, it is not for a want to work from home as much as a need to work from home. Somehow, I have gone through these past two years of COVID and not gotten sick with COVID. The way I view COVID, and safety are a little unusual and maybe I take it to an extreme, but I must view it as if I get COVID, it is basically the end for me, and I may not survive. Do people with MS and on the medication, and get COVID and survive, sure, but I am not a gambling kind of person.

There are enough problems in this world, and I want to feel good about what I am being paid to do. Most people do not want to work and only do so to have an income to support their families. I do want to work because I enjoy having a schedule and something to do during the day. I love and enjoy staying busy, which I know is not necessarily normal, but I never claimed to be normal and prefer to just be me!

Not accepting the first job or jobs that were offered has not been an easy decision for me to make. There is a part of me that feels guilty for not working, but I am trying and will not stop until I have a job that is a good fit. I know there is one out there, but good things take time and I need to learn to be more patient. Patience has never been my strongest quality, but at this point, I do not have a choice but to learn!

Thank you for visiting my site today. I appreciate your continued support and love reading your comments. I will be responding to all comments as quickly as I can. I hope you are having a great and safe week so far and you are looking forward to the upcoming weekend! Please never forget that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love, comfort, support, and MANY positive vibes!

Always, Alyssa

How to overcome Omicron stresses

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No matter what state or country you are living in, we have all been living through the fears of COVID. This has been causing stress and worry for two excruciatingly long years. The isolation, social distancing (which I like), Zoom meetings, concerns about the safety of the vaccines and which one to take, and the wellness of ourselves and our loved ones have been exhausting.

We have already endured several COVID variants before the latest one, Omicron. Obviously, Omicron has come along with various new issues of stress and even more uncertainty. Omicron has created additional levels of fatigue, hopelessness, depression, frustration, and annoyance.

Everyone around the world has watched the previous COVID surges on the news. Sadly, the Omicron variant has ingrained thoughts thought we will never regain a normal life again. The feelings of hope one moment, only to feel hopeless another can cause stress hormones to consume our bodies. This mostly leads to mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion.

Making it past the current surge and any others we may face in the future means protecting your physical and emotional health. The following steps I am going to share with you are a few ways to weather the storm.

Keep everything in perspective

Even though every day feels like Groundhog Day and things we were looking forward to are canceled or postponed due to an increase in infection rates, progress continues to be made daily. Omicron is extremely contagious, but those that are fully vaccinated have caused fewer hospitalizations and deaths than the previous variants. Also, those that are vaccinated and get COVID get much more mild symptoms.

Never stop looking forward

It can be frustrating and disappointing when something we are looking forward to is canceled or postponed, but the one thing the pandemic has taught us all is to be flexible. The truth is, we have all learned that moments of joy make eliminating Omicron crucial, and we are willing to do what it takes. Understanding an attitude of flexibility is critical and helps when we continue scheduling times to celebrate. Being flexible and at peace with acceptance are a necessity until we are past the COVID surges.

Think in smaller steps

It is easy to get caught up in our negative thoughts, such as things are never going to change, everything is so difficult, or I am so overwhelmed. It might be better to focus on the smaller concerns we are having. Once we are feeling more confident with our coping abilities, we can work on the bigger concerns we are experiencing. Maybe instead of trying to plan a get-together with the number of people we once did, try inviting one of two people to an outdoor activity. Most of us are used to Zoom meetings, so maybe connect with your friends in a group Zoom or Facebook call. This allows you to stay connected without the fears of COVID.

Remember self-care

A nice warm bubble bath can help to escape feelings of being anxious and overwhelmed. Taking time for yourself to rest and relax is crucial during these stressful times. You can take 30-45 minutes a day to get lost in one of your favorite books. This would be much-needed time away from hearing anything about the virus. Too much talk and thinking about the virus can create an overwhelming amount of stress and cause other health issues. 

I know things with COVID have been weighing on many minds and it is good to not focus too much on it and let it consume our lives. However, I did feel the information in this post was important and something we all needed to read. I hope everyone is being careful and follow the advice we all heard from the experts. This is NOT a political thing, it is a matter of life and death. I think we have already lost way too many people and it needs to stop. Unfortunately, we all know at least one person that has been sick with COVID and many have lost someone they care about. We need to stand together to put an END to COVID!

Thank you for visiting my site today. I hope you had a nice, relaxing, and safe weekend and you are ready to tackle the week ahead of us. I hope you enjoyed what I have shared with you today and that it was helpful. I do look forward to reading your comments and will respond as quickly as I can. Please never remember that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love, comfort, support, and MANY positive vibes!

Always, Alyssa

How you can stay comfortable during colder months

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Multiple Sclerosis is a unique and frustrating illness to live with. When you add in the effects different temperatures can create, Multiple Sclerosis can become three times as frustrating. Each season seems to be followed by different challenges. Of course, the heat acts like kryptonite for Multiple Sclerosis and can cause symptoms to worsen. Unfortunately, extreme heat can also create new symptoms to be exposed. When someone with MS is exposed to heat, they may experience fatigue, numbness, blurred vision, tremors, confusion, weakness, and balance issues.

When the seasons change from hot to cold, those with MS are forced to battle with other issues. Cold weather causes people with or without MS to become tense. The increased tension of the muscles can cause increased spasms, muscles feeling tighter, and difficulties moving limbs.

I have lived with Multiple Sclerosis for over 20 years, and I live in an area that seems to only have two and a half seasons. This may not make sense, but I say this because the temperatures are either insanely hot for about nine months, slightly chilly for about one month, and mildly cold for two months. Some people are fortunate enough to have four true seasons and hopefully experience at least one season where they are comfortable.

When seasons bring on various challenges it is crucial to discover ways to stay well and as healthy as possible. First, we need to allow our bodies time to adjust to the differences, especially when going from extreme heat to bitter cold. This is something that cannot be rushed and will play out according to how it does.

For anyone that lives with the same medical issue as I do, Multiple Sclerosis, I am going to share a few tips that can help you stay both comfortable and warm during the colder months. If your symptoms worsen with colder temperatures, please know this should be short-lived discomfort. The following tips may be helpful for you even if you do not have MS and deal with another medical issue. I have experienced issues with temperatures more than I care to admit, but these tips helped me stay as comfortable as I can.

The first tip I have, please understand will not always be easy. Sometimes when we make simple alterations, it can make hard tasks a little easier. Even when it seems impossible, try to keep moving. Try simple and moderate physical activities, such as short walks or stretching. This tip helps you to burn energy and keep you warmer.

The second tip might take experimenting with different types of clothing. Dressing in layers helps you to stay warm and allows you to remove clothing when you get too warm. The challenges involved in determining the right clothing will be how many layers is not enough, too much, or finally just right! Wearing a hat will keep your head warm. Wearing lined boots or socks will keep your feet warm. Hats and socks will not allow heat to escape from your head or feet, which assists with keeping the rest of you warm.

The third tip I am going to share is that it is important to keep your hands and feet warm. For those of you with Multiple Sclerosis, doctors believe that MS causes blood vessels in the hands and feet to overreact to cold temperatures. To protect your hands and feet from negative effects from cold temperatures, try using hand warmers or a heating pad. REMEMBER to use CAUTION when using a heating pad and to avoid blisters, do not apply heating pad directly to your skin.

On a side note, if you do have MS, you may be at risk for Raynaud’s phenomenon. This is a condition that causes your fingers and toes to lose heat. This can cause your fingers and toes to turn from white to blue to red as the blood starts to flow again. With this condition, you may feel numbness, pain, or feel as though someone is sticking you with pins and needles, which is an awful feeling.

The fourth tip to staying comfortable during the colder months is to warm your insides. During colder months it is easy to have a hot meal, such as soup. Plus, you can sip on hot drinks like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and pour whatever your preferred beverage into an insulated mug. This will keep your drink warm longer and reduce trips to the kitchen to warm your drink.

Lastly, even on those crisp fall days or bitterly cold winter days, getting sunshine can warm you up. Simply walking outside for a short time to soak in some rays from the sun can be beneficial. Getting a little such sunshine can warm you up, allow your body to absorb some much-needed Vitamin D, and may boost your mood.

I am sure there are many other ways to stay warm and comfortable during the colder months, but these are the ones I know work for me. I would love to read any other suggestions you may have of things that have helped you. It is not too cold where I live, but I am sure it will happen in the next few months. Honestly, the temperatures are comfortable right now, if only the rain would not come back. Even if it is not cold, the rain always makes me feel terrible!

Thank you for visiting my site today. I hope you found the information I have shared helpful, and I am looking forward to reading your comments. I promise I will respond to all comments as quickly as I can, but it will probably be once I am out of work. Please continue to do everything you can to stay safe from the virus that continues to plague the world. I do know the numbers are decreasing as more get vaccinated, but it is still a little terrifying. I hope you never forget that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love, comfort, support, and MANY positive vibes!

Always, Alyssa

Pain Awareness Month

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Since 2001, the ACPA declared the month of September as Pain Awareness Month. Considering pain is something I have lived with for many years, I thought it would be a good time to explain more in-depth what I go through daily and raise awareness for others suffering from it. Pain is something you can learn to deal with, but it does not mean that it gets any easier. For myself, the pain has become part of me, and I thought it was best to embrace it because it seems like it is never going to go away completely, and I do not think dwelling on things we do not have control over is a healthy way to live. Even though some days are worst than others and some parts of the days are more intense, I refuse to allow the pain to dictate my life. Throughout this post, I am going to explain the different types of pain there are the causes of these types of pain, and ways to discover relief.

Acute pain comes on suddenly due to something specific, such as surgery, broken bones, dental work, burns or cuts, labor, and childbirth. Typically, this pain lasts between 3 and 6 months. Acute pain tends to be a sharp, throbbing, burning, stabbing, tingling, weakness, and numbness pain.

There are several ways acute pain can be treated including resting the part of the body in pain, apply heat or cold to the area, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen, physical therapy, massage, and relaxation practices that can help with acute pain.

Chronic pain is continuous and long-standing pain that lingers past the typical recovery time or is accompanying by a chronic health condition. This pain normally lasts longer than six months, which sometimes may be on strongly, then off with no pain felt, or incessant. This pain can affect people to the point they are unable to work, eat properly, partake in physical activity, or enjoy life. The areas of pain can include the back, joints, mouth and face, muscles and bones, or neck. The pain might feel like pins and needles through the body.

Approximately, 25% of people suffering from chronic pain will go on to another condition, referred to as chronic pain syndrome (CPS). When people end up enduring CPS, their symptoms are more than just pain and may experience other issues, like depression and anxiety that interferes with their daily life. Treatments for chronic pain include nerve medications, acupuncture, stress management, and relaxation techniques, electrical stimulation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and massages. Personally, with the pain I deal with daily, stress management would be very useful because stress only intensifies the pain.

Neuropathic pain is commonly felt as shooting, burning, stabbing, tingling, numbness, and the pins and needles sensation. The pain can be felt in the feet or hands and can extend into the legs and arms.

The common causes of this pain include nerve pressure or nerve damage after surgery or trauma, viral infections, cancer, vascular malformation, alcoholism, neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, and metabolic conditions like diabetes. The ultimate goals for treating neuropathic pain are to treat the underlying disease, provide pain relief, and improve the quality of life. There are some common medications used to help this pain that includes anti-seizure drugs such as Gabapentin, Pregabalin, Topiramate, Carbamazepine, and Lamotrigine. There are also topical treatments available such as lidocaine or capsaicin.

Nociceptive pain is caused by damage to body tissue. This can occur when there is something that caused harm to the body, such as chemicals, hot or cold temperatures, or physical force. Nociceptors can sense physical damage to the skin, muscles, bones, or connective tissues in the body. This type of pain can feel sharp, aching, or throbbing.

A few common causes of nociceptive pain include bruises, burns, cuts, fractures or broken bones, pain created by repetitive or muscle overuse, and joint damage. There are also several conditions that can cause this pain such as alcoholism, diabetes, HIV or AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis, and joint problems in the spine.

The treatments for this pain include physical therapy to assist in strengthening and stretching affecting the muscles and joints, over-the-counter medications (OTC) such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, hot and cold therapy, and surgery.

RADICULAR PAIN AFTER CAR COLLISION

Radicular pain is a form of pain the radiates from the back and hip into the legs through the spin The leg pain can also include numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. The pain that radiates down the back of the legs into the foot is known as radiculopathy or sciatica. The pain can be deep and consistent but might worsen with certain activities like sitting or walking.

There is various cause for spinal compression that can lead to radicular pain, which includes herniated disc, foraminal stenosis, diabetes, nerve foot injuries, and scar tissue from spinal surgery. Treating this pain involves treating the underlying condition or discovering the best-suited combination of pain management strategies. A few non-surgical treatments include physical therapy and epidural injections.

Pain is not easy to deal with and if you are experiencing pain, please know you are not alone. One in five Americans suffers from pain issues in the United States. Pain can be isolating and make us feel alone and misunderstood, but there is help for everyone. Of course, I have had Multiple Sclerosis for twenty years, but I have not experienced pain the entire 20 years. Yes, during the last fifteen years the pain has been increasing steadily, but I will never surrender to the pain, and I will defeat it someday.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my site and read this post. I hope this was helpful and gave you a sense of comfort because I can understand the pain and what I struggle it can be to handle. I wanted to let you know if you ever need someone to vent the pain to or need anything, I am here for you! I am only a message away and will respond to all as quickly as I can. Please remember that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love, comfort, support, and MANY positive vibes!

Always, Alyssa

Multiple Sclerosis Triggers and Ways To Avoid Them

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Multiple Sclerosis can be a challenging illness to live with, but there are often ways to manage the difficulties. Many things can trigger symptoms, but there are also ways to avoid many of these triggers. It takes time to understand what exactly triggers your symptoms and then to discover the best way to avoid them. Just like each person experiences MS differently, each person will have different triggers and ways to combat those triggers. Of course, please remember that I am not a doctor or medical professional, I am just another person living with MS, and have researched the topic. Today, I am going to share 10 triggers and ways to avoid these triggers.

1. Stress: We all experience stress in our life but having a chronic condition like Multiple Sclerosis can create an entirely new source of stress. Other types of stress can be a result of work, personal relationships, or financial struggles. Too much stress for anyone can cause difficult times, but too much stress for someone with MS can contribute to the worsening of symptoms.

Ways to avoid stress might include finding a relaxing, stress-reducing activity that takes your mind off stress. This activity is anything you find enjoyable because this is for YOU and YOUR health. A few things that may appeal to you are yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises. These practices can help you to relax and obliterate risks for causing symptoms to worsen.

2. Heat: Any form of heat whether it be from the sun, sauna or, a hot tub can be too extreme for people with Multiple Sclerosis. This can often time lead to an exacerbation of symptoms. From my own experience, heat is the enemy which is difficult because I love the beach. I think my saving grace at the beach is the ocean breeze!

It is not always easy to avoid the heat, especially where I live in the south. The best way to avoid this is to keep your house cool and purchase extra fans. Also, on days when there is extreme heat avoid direct sunlight, wear light loose clothing, and stay in the shade as much as possible. Steer clear of saunas, hot tubs, and those hot yoga studios.

3. Childbirth: Many women with MS experience a relapse after giving birth. As a matter of fact, 20-40% of women endure a relapse in the period of time after giving birth. Thankfully, my husband and I do not have children, so I have not experienced this issue. Of course, no one can prevent a relapse after childbirth, but this would be a time to take some steps to reduce how severe the impact is. During the immediate days after childbirth, lean on family and friends to assist with your new bundle of joy so you may get rest and take care of yourself. This can help your body recover more effectively.

4. Becoming Sick: Certain types of infection can cause a relapse and MS can create certain types of other infections. Infection such as the flu or even something as simple as the common cold may cause MS symptoms to worsen.

Avoiding sickness can be challenging, especially with COVID spreading like wildfire. Even with the numerous challenges involved with avoiding getting sick, living a healthy lifestyle can help with preventing infections and other illnesses. It is also helpful to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds multiple times a day and distance yourself from anyone that is sick, especially if you are experiencing a relapse.

5. Some Vaccines: While most vaccines are safe and recommended for those with Multiple Sclerosis, certain vaccines contain live pathogens, which can create the risk of exacerbating symptoms. If you are experiencing a relapse or taking certain medications, consult with your neurologist before getting any vaccines because it might be in your best interest to postpone the vaccine. Your doctor will know the best way to handle this and will advise you regarding vaccines.

I will be completely honest with y’all with the medication I take for MS, Gilenya, I was advised years ago to not get vaccines. Of course, that was 20 years ago and so many changes with medications with additional research. I had always been leery of getting anything and it was not due to the needles, I just feared for negative interactions. However, my current neurologist told me things with the Gilenya had changed over the years and the only vaccines that were not safe were the ones that were live vaccines, and I was able to get the COVID vaccine and I can get the flu vaccine if I decide I want it. My neurologist did highly recommend I get the flu vaccine, but I am not in any rush to do this!

6. Vitamin D Deficiency: At least one study discovered that people with lower vitamin D levels have an increased risk of relapse than someone with adequate vitamin D levels. It has been suggested that Vitamin D can protect against developing MS, but even more research that revealed Vitamin D affects the disease as it is needed.

The best way to prevent the issue of Vitamin D deficiency is to make sure your doctor regularly checking your Vitamin D levels. There are supplements available, some foods have high amounts of Vitamin D, and safe sun exposure can help increase and maintain your levels. However, while supplements may seem safe and legit, it is best to discuss any supplements with your doctor before beginning them to ensure there are not any negative interactions and they will provide suitable results.

7. Inadequate Amount of Sleep: Sleep has an important role in our overall health. The body utilizes sleep to repair the brain and restore other areas that have been damaged. When we do not get sufficient sleep, our body does not get the necessary time to rest and rejuvenate. Too much fatigue can trigger symptoms and/or make symptoms worsen. With muscle spasms, pain, and tingling, MS can make sleep rather troublesome.

Considering how vital sleep is for our health, it is crucial to discuss sleep issues with your doctor. Bring the issue to your doctor’s attention can help determine if any other conditions causing the sleep struggles.

8. Poor Diet: A well-balanced and healthy diet, along with regular exercise can be beneficial for avoiding relapses and/or reduces Multiple Sclerosis symptoms. A diet considering of processed foods will not supply your body with the nutrition that is required.

To avoid developing a poor diet habit, working with a dietitian to discover the best healthy eating plan you can carry on with could be extremely helpful. Although, research is not clear as to the best diet is for people with MS, eating healthy foods can have a positive impact on everyone’s health. Concentrate on good sources of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates is one of the best ideas.

9. Certain Medications & Stopping Medications Too Soon: The truth is some medications that can make symptoms worse. Your neurologist will need to monitor all medications you are taking to ensure there are no interactions that can trigger symptoms to worsen. Even though some medications can have negative side effects, this does not mean you should stop any abruptly. You should always consult with your neurologist before starting or stopping all medications as to not increase your risk of a relapse.

The 10th Trigger Can Be Pushing Yourself Too Far & Too Hard: As already stated, fatigue is a common symptom for those living with Multiple Sclerosis. With that said, if you have MS and continuously push yourself to go with too little sleep and/or overwork yourself physically and/or emotionally, you might face ramifications. The combination of overexertion and fatigue can trigger a relapse or make a relapse last longer.

The best way to avoid a relapse due to pushing yourself too hard is, be easier on yourself or at least listen to the cues your body is telling you. Start slowing down when you become tired. Rest as much as possible when you can. Understand that pushing yourself to exhaustion, the recovery will take that much longer. It is important to know that our body does know when it has had enough and when it needs to rest and take a break!

I hope the information provided in this post will be beneficial whether you have MS or another chronic condition. Living with any chronic condition can be complex and I am only way too familiar with Multiple Sclerosis, and with March being Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, I wanted to be able to share as much useful information as I could.

Thank you for visiting my site today! I hope you have a nice and safe weekend! I am looking forward to reading your comments and I promise to respond as quickly as I possibly can! Please never forget that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love, comfort, support, and MANY positive vibes!

Always, Alyssa