Managing MS , livre ebook

This is an empowering book that makes the endless details manageable - from her 41years of experience. I felt like I was learning from an old friend over a cup of tea. This should be required reading for doctors, health professionals, MS patients and their families. She writes well and explains this complicated disease and the many therapies and drugs clearly and simply.
-Sharon Baldacci, MSer, Author of A Sundog Moment
This book contains some of the best info about MS and how to deal with it that I have found anywhere. It was so interesting that I read it straight through in one sitting. I have MS and I think everyone with it should read this book! I appreciated her honestly and humor.
-Amazon, Verified Purchase
I'm recently diagnosed and needed a book that offered the inside scoop from someone who's been there. This book is very accessible and written in a style that feels like chatting with a close friend. I learned a lot and feel like I have a better handle on what I could be facing.
-Amazon, Verified Purchase
"Debbie Petrina has managed to improve her no-nonsense, been-there-done-that guide to navigating the often choppy waters of multiple sclerosis. For personal advice without the unnecessary puffery, it's just what the doc ordered.
-Dave Bexfield, founder of www.ActiveMSers.org
Managing MS provides practical and meaningful guidance for people living with MS as well as for their family and friends. In addition, caregivers and health care providers can learn ways to understand someone who has been diagnosed with MS.
-Ellen Friedman, Physical Therapist, Scottsdale AZ
Good common-sense advice; not preachy. Very user-friendly.
-Jeffrey Fisher M.D., (retired, Consultants in Internal Medicine, Glendale, AZ)
This book is INCREDIBLE and easy to read. The clinical information and personal experience provided not only answers key questions but reassures readers that they are not alone.
-Sandy Dow, Neuro-Trauma ICU RN, Pittsburgh, PA
I learned so much about MS and also about the human spirit that allows us to cope with whatever we are presented with. Debbie writes in a style that is not only easy to read, but also educates offers inspiring ways to think about and face life's challenges successfully gracefully! She doesn't hype management strategies, nor does she make claims about unproven treatments or therapies.
-Barb Lambing - former Registered Dietitian, Glendale AZ (retired)
Debbie Petrina s book, Managing MS, is the perfect bible for those of us who deal with this condition and our families, whether newly diagnosed or battling for many years. As a leader in MS and fitness I highly recommend this book as part of a MS management protocol along with a solid fitness program.
-David Lyons B.S., C.P.T., Founder MS Fitness Challenge/Optimal Body

The views and opinions expressed in this book are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views or opinions of Gatekeeper Press. Gatekeeper Press is not to be held responsible for and expressly disclaims responsibility of the content herein.
Managing MS: A Roadmap to Navigate Multiple Sclerosis
Published by Gatekeeper Press
2167 Stringtown Rd, Suite 109
Columbus, OH 43123-2989
www.GatekeeperPress.com
Copyright 2021 by Debbie Petrina
All rights reserved. Neither this book, nor any parts within it may be sold or reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
The editorial work for this book is entirely the product of the author. Gatekeeper Press did not participate in and is not responsible for any aspect of this element.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2021946158
ISBN (paperback): 9781662917943
eISBN: 9781662917950
This book is dedicated to my MS peers and friends.
Contents

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I: Who is Debbie, the Author?
A Mouth and a Brain
In the Beginning
Information about My Background
My Ten Commandments
Part II: What is Important to Know?
Newly Diagnosed?
Doctors/Hospitals/Vaccines
An Ongoing Grieving Process
MS Symptoms-Overview
The Heat Element
Bad Days vs. Flare-ups (Relapsing/Remitting Types of MS)
Treatments
Are You Older?
Part III: What Can You Do?
The Invisible Symptoms You look so good!
Fatigue- A Different Kind of Tired
Vision Problems
Internal Plumbing:
I. Bladder
II. Bowels
III. The Gut
Sexual Dysfunction
Spasticity, Ataxia, and Weakness
Let s talk walking aids...
Durable Medical Equipment
Pain
Pregnancy, Menses and Hormones
Emotions, Depression, Cognitive Functions
The Elephants in the Room:
I. Mental and Behavioral Health
II. Abuse and Addiction
III. Suicide
Employment/Long-Term Disability
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Vitamins/Supplements/Diet
Part IV: What Else is Helpful to Know?
Making Decisions when Managing MS
How to Deal with People
How to Deal with a Person with MS
Positives to Having MS
Personal Choices
Words of Inspiration
The Journey Continues
Debbie s Favorite Blog Posts
Brain Health: What to Know, What to do
Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis
Important Things Others Should Know about the Chronically Ill
MS and Your Relationships
The Optimist and the Pessimist
The Truth about MS and Wheelchairs
Resources/Bibliography
About the Author
Foreword

Debbie Petrina s guidebook on Multiple Sclerosis is an inspirational, first-hand encounter of living with MS. Patients and physicians would benefit from this actual account of Debbie s story. As a Nurse Practitioner, the book opened my eyes to the effects of the disease on my patient s lives and their medical needs. This is not a textbook read.
If you are a patient of MS, you would benefit from reading this book. You may laugh, cry, and come to terms with the current life of MS through Debbie s eyes. I would highly recommend reading this wonderful, exceptional book to help guide any professional or patient through the incredible journey of the life of a person with MS.
Debbie s strength and courage with this disease should be an inspiration to continue the fight to survive MS.
Diane L. Perry, NPC Consultants in Internal Medicine Glendale Arizona
Preface

Enjoy the ride today, but keep aware of what s best for your journey.
Overall health and wellness became a primary approach for handling multiple sclerosis in recent years-it now includes both medical and non-medical ways. Before then, the emphasis was primarily on the medical ways to treat MS. Medical treatments are still too often thought to be the primary way to handle multiple sclerosis, but thankfully, this is changing.
I wrote the first edition of this book in 2011 and listed My Ten Commandments a.k.a. health and wellness, as my primary way of managing MS. It is gratifying that multiple sclerosis is being approached in the same way. All the parts of a car must always be attended to continuously, if the car is going to operate and reach its destination.
At the present time, here s the destination for MS: Until a cure is discovered, or restorative abilities to damaged areas are found, it is paramount that a person with MS live with their primary focus to be preventing as much damage to the nervous system as possible.
There are many aspects of health and wellness that include, but are not limited to:
Physical Wellness -such as sleeping, eating, and exercising properly; watching your weight; avoiding the use of tobacco, drugs, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Social Wellness -having healthy, positive interpersonal relationships with family, friends, pets and others.
Spiritual Wellness -finding meaning and purpose in life. This may or may not include religion.
Emotional Wellness -understanding our feelings and emotions and knowing action plans to follow when needed.
Intellectual Wellness -maintaining cognitive stimulation to prevent mental stagnation. It is a lifelong process of mental challenges and creativity.
Medical treatments are an integral part for sure, but they can t get us to our destination alone. They also need to be attended to frequently.
One must think of managing MS in both the short and long term. After all, there is no cure yet and nobody knows when this will happen. We have one body; we need to protect it, be proactive, and make prudent choices. For example, every drug that is taken has to be processed through the liver. What are the risks vs. benefits of any drug we take regularly after 10, 20, 30 or 40 years? Diet and exercise help define our health. It s rational to nurture it.
Is it easy? Quite frankly, no. It takes a tremendous amount of grit, discipline, determination, and control. Now in my seventh decade of life, I am slowing down; yet I m still managing MS in the same manner, quite well and independently.
I know two things. First, if I didn t practice good health and wellness, my MS would be so much worse. Second, if/when that breakthrough for remyelination or a cure arrives, I m in great shape for it. How did I do it?
This book is a roadmap of an MS journey, a roadmap for all to navigate MS. Why should someone read this book?
Less-complicated explanations reduce confusion; a person will lose their way. I strive to honestly help others with MS find their way.
Too much information from countless sources cause frustration. Focus and direction are lost, or the wrong pedals are pushed. I want to offer credible guidance and reassurance.
Multiple sclerosis through the vantage point of a patient is different as compared to the view from a medical professional or non-MSer. Health care professionals, patients and others need to understand each other.
While it is estimated that one million persons in the U.S. alone have MS (Source: National MS Society), millions of others without it also have to live with it or work with it. I