Category Archives: MS

Relapse-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: The New Diagnosis

Well, almost 9 years have gone by since I was diagnosed with Clinically Isolated Multiple Sclerosis. After having my first large attack, I am officially in the relapse remitting group. I’ve had symptoms on and off over the years if I get overheated, but have never had a full-blown flare since my diagnosis.

My first MS flare since my diagnosis started back in February of 2023. It has been similar to my first attack that led to my diagnosis back in 2014. However, this flare lasted a lot longer than I expected and I’ve had new symptoms that I’ve never had before. After 5 months of trying to take care of myself the way that I usually do I finally asked for a steroid treatment in June of 2023 to end the attack.

My Symptoms

This time the flare affected the right side of my body as it did initially. My body started to go numb and tingling from my right hand all the way down to my right foot. However, this time the numbness also spread across my abdomen to the left side. I also had Lhermitte’s sign again, so every time I looked down what felt like electric shocks would go down my spine. And last but not least, I had a few weird instances where I would put on a sweater and my forearms from the elbow to my hand would go completely numb and I couldn’t use them. For me, that was the scariest, because the fear of losing the ability to use my arms has been hard to contend with.

My Mind Freaked-Out

What if I lose all use of my arms?

What if I lose all use of my legs?

What if I end up in a wheelchair?

What if? What if? What if? What if?

I thankfully have a really great husband who keeps me grounded in reality.

“You haven’t lost all use of your arms.”

“You haven’t lost all use of your legs.”

“If you do, I’ll take care of you.”

“Stop with the What ifs! They don’t serve you.”

Sometimes I need a kick in the pants to get my monkey brain out of doom and gloom spiralling.

And so began the exploration into why my health sidekick decided to become known again in my body. I began new research and doubled down on the 6 pillars of health to take care of myself and looked into new ways as well.

It’s been a frustrating 5 months and I’ve wanted to share and process things on the blog but I was in the thick of it and didn’t want to share anything I hadn’t properly processed or learned.

Struggling With My Overall Health

I shared that back in April of 2022 I had been dealing with restoring my liver health. Unfortunately, after 2 rounds of TUDCA, I went off of the supplement and my liver enzymes went back up. After making some dietary changes my liver enzymes reduced to healthy levels over the summer of 2022. I went in for routine bloodwork in March of 2023 and my liver enzymes had shot back up. I decided to take 2 supplements that I know are supportive for my liver; dandelion detox supplement and Liver SAP. I was also drinking different supportive teas for liver health in the evenings and getting back into a routine of castor oil packs every other night. This seemed to help and brought my liver enzymes back down by May 2023. Needless to say, something is going on with my liver and I’ve been trying to figure that out alongside dealing with this MS attack. It’s been a lot on the body and mind which has caused me a lot of stress. Let’s talk about stress…

Stress

I’ve gone through all the reasons why I might be having a flare and it kept coming back over and over again to stress. I had originally read “When The Body Says No” where I experienced an epiphany that the stress of calling off a wedding and leaving a toxic relationship in 2012 was a huge catalyst to my body becoming confused and me developing MS (which I was genetically prone to in addition to having contracted EBV when I was younger – more on that later). It was exactly 2.5 years from that stressful time in my life to the time of my diagnosis. Cue 2020, pregnant with twins, a plandemic, giving birth to twins, hemorrhaging, PTSD from birth trauma, postpartum depression and anxiety, being ostracized from society, not having community support, and the list goes on. And then 2.5 years after, I’m experiencing my first flare in 9 years. So my inability to process stress or just the build-up of stress contributing to this attack makes sense. The stress of the last 2.5 years has been a lot. So I’m giving myself grace and know that it’s going to take a while for me to take care of my nervous system and learn how to re-regulate again. Ok, let’s go back to EBV…

EBV

Alongside liver health, and managing my stress I also dove into the research around EBV which started surfacing and making itself known to me. In January of 2022, the “Longitudinal analysis reveals high prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus associated with multiple sclerosis” was published on Science.org. The link between having EBV earlier in your life and it how it is linked as a causation for MS blew my mind. “They” had finally figured out a key trigger. I still believe it’s a multitude of different factors that will contribute to someone developing MS since not everyone with EBV has MS, but now we know a little bit more about why T cells in MSers’ bodies are confused when they encounter B cells with EBV in them.

And thus began my research into EBV, EBV reactivation and if I could get rid of EBV in my body naturally.

I say naturally because, after one month of the MS flare, I decided to contact my family doctor and the MS Clinic at the Ottawa hospital to ask for steroid treatment to halt my attack. This meant brand new MRI scans and meeting a new neurologist. I will say that the new neurologist was great and really pleasant to talk to but immediately started pushing one of the latest disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) on me. With the advancement in science, the DMT no longer affects your entire immune system but simply acts on eradicating B Cells in your body. The ones where EBV lies dormant in. However, I’m still not sold on the drug and am currently weighing benefit vs. risk. And as I have functioned for the last 9 years successfully always considering natural remedies before something synthetic.

During this time my frustration with Naturopaths also began. I have always been a huge fan of them in the past and have always sought out their help before conventional doctors. I had to start working with a new Naturopath when we moved back to Ontario from BC in 2021 since my former Naturopath had decided to specialize in fertility. I began seeing one at BioHeal Ottawa and received a few recommendations on supporting my liver health. She was the one that had recommended TUDCA so I went back in to see her to discuss if I could naturally get rid of EBV in my body. I was put on a few tinctures and sent on my way. However, something didn’t feel right. I was simply being put on more supplements and I didn’t feel like they were addressing the root problems in my body. I also felt very rushed and dismissed in my last appointment with them.

I was battling with a lot of exhaustion, depression, and a lack of motivation and energy during the summer of 2022. So I decided to start working with a nutritionist who was talking about things like iron overload in the body and how it stresses the liver. Some light bulbs started to go off for me since I had received iron transfusions after giving birth to the twins. And I thought that maybe my liver hadn’t been able to handle the extra iron and was protesting.

The nutritionist was successful in helping me combat exhaustion and depression but had also urged me to go off of my vitamin D supplementation and had put me on a desiccated liver supplementation which another naturopath had questioned if I should be on based on the iron overload issue in my body.

I decided to go back to a clinic that I had been at before and started seeing a new Naturopath. After the initial 90 min intake appointment I received a bunch of recommendations I was already doing and one new supplement. So I went on that supplement and then found out I shouldn’t be on it long-term.

Thus began my search for another Naturopath. And this time after the initial 90 min intake appointment I received no information and was told I needed to book another appointment to receive any recommendations or a protocol. I had since reported that Naturopath to the Ontario college since I truly have never encountered any Naturopath who works that way.

I have yet to find a Canadian Naturopath who specializes in EBV and EBV reactivation. When seeking support and help from my IG followers, someone mentioned I should look into Dr. Kasey Holland and while going through her website and profile I discovered bits and pieces of information that led me towards new research. She mentioned that there could be several things that contribute to an EBV reactivation such as dealing with parasites or mould. More on that later…

Parasites

So after diving into EBV information with Dr. Holland and seeing an IG reel from the_detoxmama showing a video with Dr. Lee Merritt talking about autopsies on MS parasites showing a prevalence of parasites in the body… I decided to dive down the wormhole of MS lesions in the brain actually being caused by parasites.

Here are several references for you to look into as well.

LDN Research Trust and F1000Research and Dr. Lee Merritt: found that in a recent autopsy study, 10 out of 10 patients had nematode small worms in the brain. Thus began the line of questioning: Are the lesions in my brain caused by inflammation or parasites?

After months and months of frustration with practitioners and naturopaths, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands with guidance from Melissa Ramos for Sexy Food Therapy. I’ve registered for her Sexy Autoimmune Academy and will be doing an intensive GI-map test to see if we can discover parasites in my stool. If that’s the case, then I’ll be doing a parasite cleanse to support my body in getting rid of them as my next step.

Mould

Additionally, I’ve been diving into research around mould exposure causing EBV to be re-activated as well. So since I know that I’m positive for EBV I’d like to understand if that is also potentially causing this recent flare. I’ll give you an update once I’ve figured out the testing and share the results.

Lifestyle Routines

There are a few things that I’m really good at. Creating lifestyle routines that work for me is one of them. And I know I needed to get strict with some lifestyle routines to support my body in getting out of this flare. However, breaking habits that don’t serve me well is definitely a struggle.

While I’ve been really good at waking up at 5 am, tongue scraping, oil pulling, meditating, journaling, drinking lemon water with a pinch of salt, eating a meat stick for protein intake before working out, getting in a morning workout, showering, doing a facial massage all before my first cup of coffee. I’m also really, really good at staying up just a bit too late watching trash TV on my phone or in our bedroom.

My evening routine has really suffered over the last few years. I find myself desperate to escape into TV which really doesn’t serve me and I’m still in the process of undoing these bad habits.

So in the last month I’m being religious about my evening routine:

  1. Having an Epsom Salt bath with added Boron 2 – 3 times a week (I’m deficient in Boron so I’m adding a bit of Borax powder to my baths)
  2. Head into the Infrared Sauna (dry brush before w/ essential oils) 2 – 3 times a week
  3. Hot Yoga one evening a week, then a cold shower
  4. Date Night one evening a week

Other things to note:

  • Lights off at the latest by 9:30 pm
  • Installed a timer on our modem/router so wifi turns off at 9:30 pm (that way I don’t have an excuse to still watch TV later)

Vitamin D

Last but not least, we know that a vitamin D deficiency is linked to those who live with MS. Unfortunately, the data is not conclusive around causation but there is correlation to MS flares and low vitamin D. After working with the nutritionist last summer she had urged me to go off of my Vitamin D supplementation. I have no idea if that was a contributing factor in the flare. Since February of 2023 I’ve been tanning 3 times a week to produce Vitamin D in my body. And now that it’s nice out I’m trying to get at least 1 – 2 hours outside during the day. I’ll use the D Minder app to track my time and based on the sun’s position it will calculate how many IUs of Vitamin D I’ll be able to produce based on the sun’s presence.

That all being said there is a lot going on. There are so many puzzle pieces I’m trying to figure out lately and it’s been taking a toll on my mental and physical health. I’m finally ready to share where I’m at as always to help anyone else in my position and also use this blog as a form of therapy for myself as I process everything that’s going on. I’ll keep you updated as I move along this healing journey.

Autoimmune Disease Thriving Mindset

I was asked the other day to share what has been involved in developing my autoimmune disease thriving mindset. I’m not about just surviving this disease or getting by. I want to thrive as I live with an autoimmune disease.

If you’ve been hanging out with me for a while online you know I’m obsessed with definitions in my blog posts. So I always love looking at the root of a word. So when I think about mindset, I’ll share the attitudes I’ve created for myself after my MS diagnosis.

Attitude #1: Living with Multiple Sclerosis is not a death sentence

I refused and still refuse to look at the average life expectancy of someone living with MS. Because unfortunately, I will not become just another number. And by the way I take care of myself I am expecting to have a life expectancy greater than the average. I’m also focused on increasing my healthspan and not just my lifespan. I want to live a full life and be healthy during my last few years. I don’t want to live them out in an assisted living facility stuck in a bed. It’s why I’m taking steps to improve my metabolic health in addition to caring for a body that has a confused immune system.

Attitude #2: I GET to take care of myself differently than I did before

While many things may have contributed to me developing MS, I can now take care of myself differently than I did before. I don’t think I’ve ever actually shared the science behind the correleations to developing MS or the research that is now coming out around EBV and causation. But needless to say I believe it to be several factors:

  • Vitamin D Deficiency
  • Emotional Health & Being In Poor Relationships
  • Stress Management
  • EBV
  • Digestive Health
  • and More

That all being said some of these things relate directly to how I take care of myself or how I move through the world. So if I can identify correleation or a gut feeling around correleation then I can take steps to improve how I’m living my life now.

Those have included:

  • Healing Digestive Health Problems
  • Nourishing My Body With Nutrient Dense Foods
  • Taking Supplements Based on Deficiencies
  • Moving My Body In A Way That Supports My Nervous System
  • Managing My Stress Responses
  • Getting Quality & Quantity of Sleep
  • Reducing My Toxic Load

I also avoid language around taking better care of myself than before (because then that discounts my entire life). This is simply a case of when you know better, you can do better.

Attitude #3: I can’t do it all, but I can do something every day

While the list of things that I do for myself is really long if I tried to do everything every day. However, each day, I get to choose from the list and do a few things or even one thing a day to take care of myself. Some days I have a ton of energy and I am up to incorporating a bunch of self-care tools into my routine. And then some days, I’m exhausted and the best I can do for myself is an epsom salt bath and getting to bed early so I can sleep at least 8 hours.

Attitude #4: I can heal myself

The first time I walked into Soul7 in Toronto (which is unfortunately no longer open), I met Bob Berman, the owner. And something he said to me has stuck with me ever since. He told me that “You will be able to heal yourself”. And I believed/believe him.

Here is a quote from an article in the Toronto Guardian:

“Their belief is that every person has the ability to heal. Their mission is to help people heal naturally and faster by combining ancient healing wisdom with new technology.”

Attitude #5: An autoimmune disease is simply a health sidekick

I am not defined by a diagnosis. Multiple sclerosis is not who I am. It’s something I live with. And that is why I call my MS simply a health sidekick that is here to remind me every day that I get to take care of myself. That I get to do this for myself and that I get to lead a fulfilling, active life.

If you live with an autoimmune disease what other attitudes that allow you to thrive would you add to the list?

What Is The Autoimmune Paleo Protocol?

What is the autoimmune paleo protocol? Who created it? What are the benefits of me incorporating it into my lifestyle?

These may be some of the many questions flooding your brain as you research nutrition and gut health related to developing an autoimmune disease.

I personally discovered autoimmune paleo after reading The Wahl’s Protocol (which is a popular book recommended to those diagnosed with MS) and The Autoimmune Solution (which I discovered through Amazon searches for books).

What Is The Autoimmune Paleo Protocol?

I think the easiest way to describe the autoimmune paleo protocol or AIP as many call it for short is a way of eating to support your digestive health. It supports the body in healing the gut (both the stomach and our intestines) that may have been weakened over time by inflammatory foods or exposure to toxins. It then helps restore the microbiome with good bacteria or flora and in turn, supports the body in having an appropriate immune response instead of a chronic inflammatory immune system response.

I may be so bold as to say the goal of the protocol is to increase your quality of life, halt disease progression and even support the body in progressing into remission from autoimmune attacks.

So in short, the protocol provides the body with amazing nutrients that it needs, while avoiding foods that may be blocking our body’s ability to heal. And while there is an elimination phase, I personally choose not to use language like restrictive or strict because then my way of eating becomes something viewed as negative vs. supportive to my body.

Why Focus On Healing Your Digestive Health?

Simple, if you aren’t able to absorb the nutrients you’re eating, a change in diet might not actually help. If your gut wall is broken, food particles will continue to slip through into your bloodstream and trigger an immune system response in the body that isn’t supportive.

Once the gut wall is healed you can then focus on nutrient-dense foods providing our body with the macro and micronutrients it needs to heal and thrive.

Who Created The Autoimmune Paleo Protocol?

My understanding is that Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, PhD is the pioneer leader in creating the guidelines and finding the science to support AIP.

I love this quote by her and how she explains what AIP is.

The biggest difference between the Autoimmune Protocol and other dietary templates is that it takes a nutrients-first approach while considering inflammation triggers. This is where we draw the line between “yes” foods and “no” foods in order to get more health-promoting compounds and fewer detrimental compounds in our diet. 

Sarah Ballantyne

What Are The Benefits Of The Autoimmune Paleo Protocol?

One of the reasons why I chose to switch from the Wahl’s Protocol to the AIP Protocol was because this reason found on Sarah’s website.

The clinical research studies performed using the Wahls Protocol in multiple sclerosis provide additional validation for the Autoimmune Protocol. While there are a handful of foods included on the Wahls Protocol (most notably nightshades) that are excluded on the Autoimmune Protocol, the two protocols are remarkably similar despite the different philosophies that went into their formulation. The Wahls Protocol framework was developed with mitochondrial health as its primary goal whereas the Autoimmune Protocol framework was developed with immune regulation and gut health as its primary goals. It so happens that the nutrients required for mitochondrial health are nearly identical to those required for immune and gut health, hence the high degree of overlap between both approaches.

Sarah Ballantyne

I also chose to switch because I was struggling to get the recommended cups of vegetables in per day and the AIP solution was a little less overwhelming.

How Can You Incorporate AIP In Your Life?

After discovering AIP and understanding the science behind it I then discovered two ladies Mickey Trescott & Angie Alt who created autoimmunepaleo.com and then re-branded to autoimmunewellness.com. They had a really easy way of explaining how to start AIP including 2 printouts that I still refer to. They include foods to eat and foods to avoid. From the link in the sentence before you can sign up for their newsletter to get access to the printouts.

FYI, there were updates published to the protocol in 2019. I would take the time to read these as well before beginning.

Print Resources

Here are 2 resource books on lifestyle and 2 cookbooks to help you get started. There are so many out there but I love the simplicity of these 4 books for starting out on your AIP journey.

Research & Links:

Building & ReBuilding a Health Care Team

I talk about how MS is a blessing in my life since my diagnosis in December of 2014. I’ve even gone as far as saying I’m grateful for the autoimmune disease because it’s taught me how to take different care of myself now so that I can thrive. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is building and rebuilding a health care team.

When I was first diagnosed I remember tackling my health care like it was a new side hustle in my life. I’d get up early to research and read articles. I’d come home from work and dive my nose back into books before going to bed. Building my healthcare team at the time didn’t seem that daunting. It flowed with ease.

When I met the love of my life, Mike, in October 2015, we then started dating in January 2016. I quit my job in Toronto and moved to Ottawa at the end of March 2016. I had to start fresh in my hometown city. I had to rebuild my health care team and I didn’t have the slightest idea how hard it would be.

So I’m happy to say I’ve experienced ease where it just flowed and I’ve experienced frustration and tears so from both perspectives I can write this blog post. Whether you have an autoimmune disease or you care about your proactive health and the team that you surround yourself with this post will hopefully serve you.

Toronto Health Care Team Members I’ll Be Leaving

Family Doctor

My first health care team member was my family doctor. I had luckily found her early when I moved to Toronto after University. I moved to Toronto in 2005 after graduating from McMaster and one of my friends let me know her doctor was taking new patients. I lucked out with Dr. Segal. Over the years, she was courteous and quick with appointments but I never felt rushed or not listened to. After my MS diagnosis, I intuitively decided to start taking care of myself holistically. Reading about conventional and alternative medicine to ensure I was receiving well-rounded care. One of the first things I asked her was to do blood work so we could see where all my vitamin & mineral levels were. This is where we discovered that I had a Vitamin D deficiency at the time of diagnosis. She would print out my lab work for me and I’d take it home and put it in my MS binder so that I could show other practitioners like my Naturopath. She was always open-minded, non-judgemental and always helpful. I really lucked out with her and miss her care so much as I’ve never found something similar in Ottawa.

Naturopath

I had been seeing a Naturopath for years before my MS diagnosis who actually worked in a clinic where the doctor would requisition my lab work for me. However, I believe Ontario Health was cracking down on this so I had to shift and get my family doctor to do this. This wasn’t hard so at the time I decided to shop for a new naturopath who had experience with MS patients. This is when I found Dr. Rachel Corradetti. I’ve written about her before. She was the one who challenged me to stop doing so many things. At the time of diagnosis she was actually offering in-home consultations. So shortly after the diagnosis, she came to my condo and we did the intake interview and reviewed everything we could think of. We talked about a few lifestyle changes and she gave me my first supplement protocol.

Registered Holistic Nutritionist

Because of the reading I had been doing after my diagnosis, I knew my digestive health, irritable bowel syndrome, gut health might be an issue. At this time I didn’t truly understand the link between our gut health and autoimmunity. Because I had announced my diagnosis publicly on social media I received the recommendation to consult with Chantal Houde who is an RHN who also lives with multiple sclerosis. I thought why not and booked an online consultation with her. This is where I learned about leaky gut and the autoimmune paleo protocol. I was able to continue my research on gut health and had a few easy tips I could incorporate into my meal planning.

Functional Medicine Doctor

Because I was in such a learning phase while in Toronto I discovered the concept of functional medicine. I researched different practitioners and landed on one in Yorkville. While I didn’t love my experience with this practitioner we did a test for leaky gut to discover if I had it, and if I did, I had healed it. We also did a micronutrient test, which was expensive but really informative. We were able to optimize my supplement protocol from those tests. I also learned from him that I was dealing with adrenal fatigue. This was after my year of doing over 20 races in 2015. I was then able to address this once I moved to Ottawa.

Therapist

I’ve never shared publicly my experience of seeing a psychotherapist in Toronto. I went to see one after my diagnosis at a friend’s recommendation as I was having a really hard time dating and a lot of pain points were coming up for me again from the toxic relationship I had chosen to be in for several years before my diagnosis. I learned a lot in that time about how I think, what stories I had created in my mind and how I was processing relationships in this world. After reading “When the Body Says No” and understanding the mental health aspect that is associated with disease I thought this was an amazing addition to my health care team.

Acupuncturist

I was originally seeing an acupuncturist who came recommended by a friend for my athletic injuries. I was training for obstacle course races before and after my diagnosis and I remember going to my acupuncturist one day for sports injury healing. He asked me “When do you plan on getting married and having babies”. Which left me in a puddle of tears on his table and googling acupuncturists downtown. I was looking for someone much closer to my office that I could go to on lunch breaks or on my way home from the office. This is when I added Amrit Singh to my team. This was also before she blew up on social media as a sought-after cosmetic acupuncturist. She helped me discover through her TCM training that despite eating healthy and many foods I thought were ok on the Wahl’s Protocol I wasn’t able to digest the food and absorb the nutrients because of my timing of intake and intaking raw vegetables vs. cooked ones. She all but helped eliminate digestive problems for me and her tips I still implement to this day. Tips such as using warming spices in my morning smoothies vs. a green smoothie.

Ottawa Health Care Team Members I Found

Family Doctor

As I write this blog I have never found a family doctor as amazing as my Toronto one. It’s been a constant source of stress and tears for me. I even left an appointment last night in tears. My husband knows that he needs to provide full emotional support on days I have a doctor’s appointment. I need to just spend time looking for a new practitioner but it is definitely a full-time job in itself.

Functional Medicine Doctor

Finding a functional medicine doctor started out wonky for me in Ottawa. I had found a doctor off of google who seemed to be amazing. She had a great website, a podcast, and books so I thought this would be great! While I had one great experience with her treating some bacteria found in a stool test I had taken before leaving Ottawa. I got really frustrated with her because she charged me for a naturopath fee but as a family doctor, I also thought I could talk to her about all my issues. From there I found out she wanted me to book an appointment per issue as she is also an MD and was billing through our provincial health care. She also brought up new issues like telling me I had Pyroluria without treating the issues I had come to see her for. I remember specifically letting her know that I wanted to solve for painful periods but since I talked about anxiety in the intake form she wanted to solve for Pyroluria. She wanted me to do an expensive test which I passed on because my research showed it could have just been a nutrient deficiency which I already needed to supplement for. I also decided to address my anxiety and panic attacks with my Ottawa psychotherapist and reflexologist. After finding my new functional medicine doctor she actually took me off one of the supplements I had been taking for Pyroluria because I was now over-sufficient in B6.

My new functional doctor is going on mat leave the month that I write this blog so I’m going to have to fend for myself for a year. However, I’ve never felt more empowered or on the right track. When I moved to Ottawa I joined an AIP Ottawa FB group to find out where people were shopping for food and local information. From this group, I found out that many of the members were going to see a doctor at the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre. I called the centre and made my case to be a patient that wouldn’t take up too much of Dr. Junek’s time. I just wanted to see her maybe 2 – 3 times a year. I just needed a practitioner who was willing to requisition blood work and review it with me as my family doctor had flat out refused.

Therapist

I found the most amazing psychotherapist, Robin Harnden in Ottawa. While dealing with a lot of anxiety attacks, panic and stress with the move from Toronto to Ottawa. I was able to process through my mind thoughts and find some peace in what I was experiencing.

Acupuncturist

I’ve seen 2 different practitioners since moving. I thought I had found one I loved but she ended up closing her practice while dealing with a health issue so I’m back on the market for one.

Naturopath

I haven’t needed one since my functional medicine doctor was able to play this role. I believe they are one of the most important health care team members so I’ll search for a new one if I need a practitioner while my functional doctor is on mat leave.

What other practitioners do you love having on your team?

Updated Supplement Protocol

Disclaimer: I am sharing information about my current vitamin/supplement plan reviewed and suggested by my naturopath. Please see your/a health care professional(s) before taking anything new or changing your supplementation plan.

I used to document every minute of my journey of learning to live with MS. The appointments I was going to. The healing modalities I was trying. And then I just stopped. No real reason. I probably thought no one was really paying attention to these posts. They started for my own benefit, using my blog as a journal.

And then I checked my Google Analytics and realized they were some of my highest read posts. Over the years, I’ve received countless messages from friends asking if they could connect a friend or a loved one with me because they had recently become diagnosed with MS. I can’t personally connect with every single person so I would share the link to all blog posts tagged with MS content. So I’m guessing that’s where my MS content blog readers have come from.

Regardless, I’m back in a sharing mindset as I move through my healing journey. My functional medicine doctor that I see here in Ottawa is going on mat leave starting this month. I very rarely see her. Maybe once or twice a year to take a look at blood work and optimize based on health pain points. But before she went on mat leave she gave me a list of other supplements I’m not on so I could research them further and decide if I needed to add to my current supplement protocol. I then asked her based on my health now, was it possible to actually reduce the list of supplements versus adding to it. She said, “I actually recommend most of the supplements that you take to other patients.” So it’s great to know I’m still on the right track in optimizing my health.

Since my 2016 optimization post things have changed slightly but many of the supplements my Toronto Naturopath Dr. Rachel Corradetti put me on back in 2015 have been consistent. Here’s a look at my current supplement protocol with the reason behind why I take what I do.

I took all my supplements with me when I traveled to Bali this year in ziplock bags. Once a week (I was there for 3 weeks), I would put them in my pill organizer and leave this on my bedside table. I’d grab my breakfast does before heading down for breakfast and same for lunch. It was the easiest way for me to stay on track because I visually need to see the pill case to remember.

Current Supplement Protocol

  1. I take LLV twice a day at breakfast and lunch
  2. I take 8,000 IUs of Vitamin D3 daily as I can consistently be low when we blood test
  3. I take 1 CoQ10 (100 mg) once a day at breakfast
  4. I take 1 NAC ( once a day at breakfast
  5. I take 2 Zinc/Copper supplements at lunch
  6. I take 2 EstroSmart at lunch
  7. I take 1 scoop of Glutamine every time I make a smoothie/shake.
  8. I take 2 Magnesium BisGlycinate each night before bed
  9. I take 1 ALCAR each night before bed

Why I Take Each Supplement

  1. I take LLV as my base level multivitamin, whole food nutrient base, and essential fatty acid, and combats oxidative stress.
  2. I take Vitamin D3 because I’m deficient and this may have been one of the contributing factors to my MS development.
  3. I take CoQ10 for cardiovascular health, it promotes immune system function and is an antioxidant.
  4. I take NAC for glutathione production (which is another antioxidant).
  5. I take Zinc/Copper for immune system function and connective tissue formation. I take the zinc-copper balance for optimal absorption.
  6. I take EstroSmart for estrogen dominance. My functional medicine doctor put me on EstroSmart in 2016 as I was dealing with a painful day 1 period. Based on a few blood tests we discovered I was estrogen dominant. So after a few liver cleansing protocols and consistent EstroSmart, I’m slowly getting to a place where my day 1-period cramps are less intense.
  7. I take Glutamine for digestive health and to help heal muscles
  8. I take Magnesium Bis-Glycinate for energy production, proper muscle function, and nervous system health. I take this form of Magnesium because it’s gentle on digestion and was recommended to me for the greatest bio-availability for absorption.
  9. I take ALCAR for cognitive function and cellular energy production.

I have Amazon links to all the supplements I take over in the supplement shop…

VISIT THE SUPPLEMENT SHOP