Self Treatment

One of the things I like best about multiple sclerosis (how's that for a positive opening?) is that once you kind of learn the ropes and understand the disease processes, you can self-treat through common sense measures, thoughtful research and intuitive experimentation. In the US, of course, one would get regular MRI studies, but one has to wonder how useful those are anyway. One discovers, per the imaging, whether his disease has progressed or not progressed, but one probably already knew the answer to that simply through an awareness of what symptoms he is or is not suffering. One can get an MRI here in Indonesia, too, but of course they are very expensive, and I think the machinery they use is nothing more than a modified Etch A Sketch. Add in the fact that the doctors, blissfully unaware of MS, don't know what they're looking at anyway and ... yeah, you get my point. 

We become aware, through research and through practice, which medications are effective for the various ills associated with MS, we are able to study and treat our own symptoms. In Indonesia, this may often mean seeking medications of the same basic composition under different names, and for this, one seeks a helpful local druggist who is willing to forgo bothersome matters such as the need for a prescription and such-like. 

For the persistent neuropathic pain in my neck and shoulder, I have experimented with exercises and massage, in addition to certain medications, taken mostly at night. We are often inclined not to perform movements that are painful because 1) they are painful and 2) we fear that they might worsen the condition. But pain is sometimes necessary to encourage the strengthening and relaxation of targeted muscles. I have found that the pain experienced when turning my neck to the right can be gradually released by turning to the right anyway while working the muscles with a kneading of the fingers along with some kind of warming oil (called minyak gosong here in Bali). One can actually feel the tight cord of muscle in the neck that has stiffened and become inflexible as a reaction to the initial injury (the damage and destruction of nerves in the area). As I press and massage this area, the muscle begins to relax.

I discover as well that simply sitting in the sun is quite helpful, both for the localized pain, and for the MS condition in general. We know, of course, that natural vitamin D comes from the sunlight, and I reckon that the burning, intense sunlight in Bali must be absolutely packed with the stuff! And while you're sunning, a swim in the warm sea is also helpful, as there is no bed more cozy than the salt-heavy sea.

In short, the wonderful thing about MS is that there is no cure. There is only symptomatic treatment, and you can manage that on a sunny beach or a mountain cabin or whatever setting you find most peaceful. Peace, that's another key, isn't it. Acceptance. Adjustment. Diversion. Joy. And lots of coffee.