How to handle those darn MS Symptoms!

I have many people with MS tell me that it is easy for them to be more positive when they don’t have any symptoms. Makes sense … if you are physically feeling good, it’s easier to feel more positive. But, those same people tell me that as soon as they feel something like a sensory feeling or weakness in the leg or cognitive slowness, their mood changes “on a dime”.

Let me tell you a story about me. The past few days I have been experiencing more sensory feelings … my legs have been “buzzing”, I feel that occasional butterfly on my lip or cheek and I wake up in the middle of the night with my hands and arms all “pins and needles”. Now, I am the type of person that tries to figure it all out. I ask myself the following questions:

1) What’s going on here?
2) Why am I feeling these symptoms more now?
3) Does it have to do with what I am eating?
4) Is it the change in weather from extreme colds outside to the heat inside?
5) Is it a hormonal thing?

As you can see, I give my brain a workout! But being a Motivational Speaker & Life Coach has helped me to recognize when I am doing this and “nipping it in the bud” right away. So yesterday, I reminded myself that continually focusing on the sensory symptoms was not going to make them go away – matter of fact, it was only going to bring the sensory symptoms more to my attention and make me recognize more and more little things.

So, what did I do? I snapped myself out of it. I refocused my thoughts on things that made me feel good. I watched a great movie with someone I love. I blogged and wrote about things that I am passionate about. I reminded myself that by focusing on all the questions that I had in my head, I was not going to accomplish anything.

Look at the questions again … do you think I was able to answer them with any accuracy? No, of course not! It’s not something I can figure out. It just “is what it is”. Why rack my brains trying to figure out “What and Why”? It sure wasn’t making me feel better!

What are YOU focusing on lately that keeps you in a rut or makes you feel even worse? Stop focusing on the things that don’t make you feel good or that make you crazy (by trying to figure it all out). Focus on the things that serve you – the things that make you smile and bring you some joy. Say to yourself “It is what it is, and now it’s time for me to move on and to start focusing on the things that make me feel good!”

One thing I have learned about myself, being diagnosed with MS, is that I can’t figure it all out, life can be very unpredictable and that there is a benefit associated with the unpredictability. Yes, a statistician is actually saying that “predictability is not all it’s cracked up to be!” What would life be like if everything and everyone was predictable? Not very exciting, if you ask me!

Create a wonderful week for yourself, where you are focusing on all the things that benefit you by bringing a smile to your face. Disregard the thoughts and feelings that just make you feel worse – they have no purpose! They do not ADD to your quality of life. They just take away from it.

P.S. Check out my Spectacular Holiday Sale on all my Lovin' Life Products (up to 50% off!):
Lovin' Life CD Packages: http://www.marialesetz.com/lovin-life-holiday-sale.html
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Warmest Regards,
Maria C. Lesetz, Maria@MariaLesetz.com
Lovin' Life
Motivational Speaker & Life Empowerment Consultant
Statistical Consultant
(541) 686-1326
(541) 484-4146 FAX
www.MariaLesetz.com

America's #1 Motivational Speaker & Life Coach for People with MS!
AND "America's #1 Certified Life Coach for Doctors with Health Challenges!"

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Effectively Communicating with your Neurologist

Many people who I speak to don't know what to ask their doctor after they have heard the words "You have MS". They are in a state of shock or feel "a bit" (to say the least) overwhelmed by the news!

It definitely can be very "mind-blowing" to hear any news of a diagnosis of a chronic health condition but it is EXTREMELY important that you get ALL your questions answered by your doctor. The relationship with your doctor is very important. If you do not feel comfortable with the answers you are getting or the way you are being treated or addressed, speak up or find another doctor! Get a second or third opinion. Take an action step that is going to make you feel satisfied. This is your life ... you need to arm yourself with all the information that will help you to live fully, even with a chronic health condition.

Doctors are people too. Sometimes, patients have that "white-coat" syndrome. They are afraid to ask their doctor a question or two. Many of the people I speak to always take their doctor's word for it (because he or she is the expert), WITHOUT asking any questions (even if their gut is telling them that something doesn't feel right)! YOU are ultimately in charge of your life. Yes, medical experts are a very important part of our overall health and wellness. However, YOU are the ultimate decision maker. If something does not feel right, say so. The doctor is not living in your body --- YOU ARE.

When I was diagnosed with MS, I composed a list of 23 questions that I had for the doctors. I asked all the questions to ALL 3 Neurologists that I saw. I made sure that I got all my questions answered by multiple doctors before I made any decision on how to proceed with the treatment of the disease.

If you are choosing to go on a drug therapy, it is very important to pick the drug that fits your lifestyle. I chose a drug therapy that had the least side effects and would ensure that I could maintain my usual HIGH ENERGY lifestyle.

Whatever you do, do not be afraid of asking the questions that you have. If you don't have any initially and then as the weeks and months go by a few questions arise, just write them down and bring them the next time you visit your doctor OR do what I did ... I typed up that list of 23 questions and faxed my questions to my Neurologist. He actually wrote all his answers on the document I sent to each and every question I asked. I must admit, initially I thought "yeah, right, like he's going to answer these questions real soon" ... but... I chose to send the questions to him, despite my doubt and HE ACTUALLY ANSWERED ALL OF THEM! Now, I am not saying that all doctors will do this. But, hey... you never know. If not, make an appointment JUST TO ASK YOUR QUESTIONS.

Empower yourself! Gather all the information that you need to make the best decisions for you.

FYI … I will be one of the guest speakers, along with a Neurologist from New York University, at a teleconference hosted by Shared Solutions on December 13th (8 PM EST) and December 14th (9PM EST). The topic of the teleconference will be on “Communicating with your Neurologist”. If you are interested in registering for this FREE teleconference, call 1-800-823-1880.

P.S. Visit my website at www.MSJustABumpInTheRoad.com and download the questions I asked my Neurologist and use them as a starting point to figure out what the most appropriate questions would be for your specific situation. (You can find these questions under the Resources section of my website.)

Warmest Regards,

Maria C. Lesetz, Maria@MariaLesetz.com
Lovin' Life
Motivational Speaker & Life Empowerment Consultant
Statistical Consultant
(541) 686-1326
(541) 484-4146 FAX
http://www.marialesetz.com/

America's #1 Motivational Speaker & Life Coach for People with MS!

And SOON-TO-BE "America's #1 Certified Life Coach for Doctors!"

Lovin' Life's mission is to inspire & empower people with Multiple Sclerosis to reach for their full potential in every aspect of life and to LIVE LIFE FULLY... NOW!

Specializing in Stress Reduction, Career Transition, & Environmental Design Consulting to enhance overall health and well-being.

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