Courtesy of Damian Washington
Damian Washington is an actor, rapper, and vlogger with MS.
He has a YouTube channel (NoStressMS) where he discusses the challenges of living and thriving with MS.
Fatigue and changes in the way I walk were my first signs ofmultiple sclerosis(MS).
Courtesy of Damian Washington
My wife was the one who encouraged me to see a doctor.
On one of our daily walks, she said, You dont hold me the same when were walking.
I dont know what it is, but Ive been around you a long time, and somethings wrong.
Ive learned a lot about living with MS since I was first diagnosed in 2017.
We can all help one another.
Here are some coping tips to consider.
It helps the healing mechanisms in your body.
It means planning my lunch hour so that I have enough time to eat and meditate.
I also verify to sit down again before 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.
It helps me calm my sympathetic nervous system, and I notice I feel better and walk better afterward.
Its also free and doesnt require any special equipment.
Connecting With the MS Community
The power of connecting with the MS community also helps me cope.
That continues to be true.
It is so helpful and it guides me through my muck.
Giving Grace
Giving myself grace is another way I cope with living with MS.
This includes giving myself grace to say no.
Ive learned the hard way because I have previously pushed myself too far and too often.
I have crashed and burned.
Now, I have no problem saying no.
When it comes to managing symptoms of MS, food is a big one for me.
Personally, I adhere closely to theWahls Protocol by Dr. Terry Wahls.
It also involves avoiding processed foods, dairy, gluten, sweeteners, and grains.
Im a sucker for a good burger and fries, occasionally, though.
So, figuring out how to get ahead of myself pays dividends.
I sometimes add Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt to get my electrolytes in, too.
This is part of showing up for myself, honoring my feelings, and not pushing them away.
Instead, I push through any resistance for self-care.
Since 2017, I have been taking Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)a treatment I take twice a year.
Ocrevus works to freeze or slow the progression of MS and reduce symptom relapse.
This way, I can deal with what I have right nowand hopefully heal certain aspects.
Finding Your Hope
Finally, MS is incurable, but there is hope.
Acceptance is not surrender.
This is still my life, and Im still the captain of my soul.
At the beginning of this journey, my hope was crushed.
But I have found it in myself and in persisting to find treatments and routines that work for me.
It all looks different for different people.
Only you’re able to answer that.
