Living with Multiple Sclerosis - Alcohol

[guitarobsessed85]

I had numbness in the face that lasted four days then the buzzing started a couple of weeks later. Then very mild tremors that lasted a couple of days in one hand and then switched to the other had and then disappeared. I've had buzzing/dizziness/brain fog off and on for about 5 years but buzzing was only in my legs and now it's all over me. How long will an attack normally last and does it usually keep switching areas over the course of 2.5 months? I have been really stressed and I have SAD

[laurenvparrott]

@guitarobsessed85 I would definitely talk to your doctor. Every situation is different, so I can't give you a definite answer, but I would keep track of what is going on and talk to your doctor. I wish you the best!

[NateCloughn]

Hi. i my name is Nate and me and my friend were drinking at my house. He had his girlfriend over and after a few drinks she started to have some issues. She had difficulty standing up even after a few drinks. After that she then couldn't speak. Her tongue was out like she was licking the bottom of her lip and it was like she was having muscle spasms and it made us worry i haven't seen anything like this before. Does this sound like MS. Her mom has MS and it just seems like this is a symptom.

[laurenvparrott]

@NateCloughn Hi Nate! I'm not exactly sure what your friend's girlfriend experienced, but I would defnitely have her go see a doctor just to be sure. It could be an MS symptom, but it could also be several other things. Good luck!

[NateCloughn]

@laurenvparrott Thanks, it was very scary not knowing what was going on but will definately have her go to the doctors. Again thanks

[guitarobsessed85]

@laurenvparrott Also do you ever feel out of it? Like, out of reality/anxious with your MS?

[laurenvparrott]

@guitarobsessed85 At times...usually when I'm REALLY tired!

[mikespikejones]

And thank you for sharing all of your experiences.

We will pray for you and for a cure.

You are an inspiration.

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you so much! I will pray for you and your family as well!

[mikespikejones]

Thanks for getting back with me!

I had an EMG yesterday that ruled out ALS. Thank God for that!

MRI of my brain tomorrow, along with an angiogram and Video EEG overnight.

Hoping for answers.

Many doctors have blown off my symptoms until recently -- the muscle loss and twitching has made it so they will listen.

[mikespikejones]

I am having MRI's and other testing done this week -- very nervous about what I have.

3 of 4 doctors say MS is a strong possibility.

I have seen a couple of your videos and think you have an amazing attitude.

The muscle loss, fatigue (extreme), muscle twitches, numb limbs, headaches and other symptoms are awful. I have tried to keep a positive attitude.

I have 3 little kids and a great wife. I want to live life to the fullest.

Does your MS give you these symptoms I described?

Thanks for info!

[laurenvparrott]

Hello! Yes I have similar symptoms, however I've had MS for about 10 years and the medication I take (Tysabri) has kept my symptoms very manageable.

You are very kind! I wish you and your family the best!

Lauren :)

[guitarobsessed85]

@laurenvparrott Do you have spasms that come and go a lot? Or any lasting sensory symptoms, like buzzing that get worse when you're tired or stressed?

[gphx]

I find it kind of scary that drinking alcohol makes me feel normal. I guess that shows how we have so many odd background things going on all the time.

[laurenvparrott]

Wow, yeah we all do have odd things going on all the time!

[melissabg1965]

Hi Lauren, I can only have one or two glasses of wine - I have noticed that the longer I have MS, the less I can tolerate alcohol. It def. takes away the pain in my face, eyes, feet and hands!! Always feel better after a couple glasses of wine, but pay for it the next day! I wanted to ask you, did you ever have mono (epstein barr virus) ? I had it in 9th gr, I wonder if that is what could have triggered my MS. I also live along the so. shore of Lake Ontario, where there is a huge cluster of MS.

[laurenvparrott]

Oh my gosh I'm the same way with wine...but I LOVE it!! I never had mono but Anthony (my boyfriend) did right before we started dating...sometimes I wonder if I got the virus in my system when I was 16. I hope you're feeling well!

[kayjay2323]

Hmm, interesting! I had a terrible, bedridden, months long experience with mono when I was 17. I'm 34 now and diagnosed last week with the MS. PS Lauren, you help more people than you could ever imagine.

[laurenvparrott]

Wow, I'm sorry you had a horrible experience with Mono. I know you were just diagnosed but everything is going to be fine!

Thank you SO MUCH for saying that! It means so much to me!!

[mom2kaylantristn]

Ive noticed now that I'm on Copaxone - if I drink even more than say, a glass of wine, I get a hang over from it, or what feels like one. It seems like recovery from alcohol is outrageously longer for me than most people who don't have MS. Thanks for this video Lauren. Greatly appreciated!

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you for writing - I feel the same way!

[notapplicable66]

Go Red Wings!! lol!! :-P

[laurenvparrott]

I know!! Go Wings!!

[erikahilton]

i don't drink often since i found out about my ms but now i can't drink at all cuzthey think i have a weak stomach lining or an ulcer.....fun fun o well take care

[laurenvparrott]

Yeah, I don't drink much but it's not the end of the world. I hope you're feeling ok!

[medad1]

Hi Lauren

Next Tuesday I'll have my 1st infusion of tysabri . I feel shaken !!! ...  I don't drink at all (thanks GOD)

Thanks :)

mody

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Mody!! Oh yay! You'll do great I'm sure! Make sure you let me know how it goes. It's good that you don't drink :)

[tonywilde1234]

Happy Easter to you and all your loved ones Lauren xx

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you so much! Happy Easter to you and your loved ones as well!

[deepsorrower]

Hello lauren. I must say that you are a fantasic and wonderful person. I was diagnosed with MS on my birthday. Not a very good present. I do not know what to expect with the future but I have been very stupid and turned to alcohol. Now that I have seen your video on MS and Alcohol I will certainly try to cut down on my intake.

God bless you lauren.

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you so much for writing! Oh gosh - what a birthday present. I'm so glad that this video has helped you try to think more about what alcohol does to our bodies. I still do drink occasionally, but I try to cut back as much as possible. I'm sure that you're going to be fine in the future. As long as you are doing something to stop progresssion (like taking medication) and making smart decisions, you'll do great!

[wildweaselxp]

Ciao Lauren,

despite I'm italian I drink very little wine,I prefer beer: after the first glass my muscles are more loosened and my symptoms decrease. This small intoxication sometimes makes to feel better. The main point is not to drink too much and only sometimes.

Ricky

P.S. Bello il pupazzo!

[laurenvparrott]

Ciao Ricky! I love beer too. I'm more relaxed when I drink and it does make me feel better. But I agree, I try not to drink too much!

[dmplaura]

I rarely drink, but I made the decision to stop drinking (for over 2 years) before being diagnosed actually. In the past few months, I have had alcohol occasionally, but I can count the number of days I've had alcoholic drinks in the last 2 + years on 1 hand. Additionally, I now take Clonazepam, which carries a warning about alcohol consumption. For sure, in moderation!

Interesting you mention illness, I'm just getting over strep/flu. It's been hanging on!!!

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Laura! I haven't stopped drinking completely but I'm definitely careful about how much I drink. And now that you're on Clonazepam, it's a good idea to cut back. I hope you get over strep/flu soon!!

[dmplaura]

Thanks Lauren. I'm in the clear now. I had to go through 2 antibiotics however. That was not fun! They had me on a monster 1 a day 10 day pill the second prescription. It made my stomach cramp/bloat, you name it. It was not fun! I am feeling better now though. Now spring can come and bring me warm sunshine!!! :)

Hope you're doing awesome!

[laurenvparrott]

I'm so glad you're feeling better now! Happy Easter!!

[BretagneShrew]

hey Lauren how did your team go? I'm not american, so I don't have a team, but I'll join the spartan supporters anyway hehe :)

that is really interesting about alcohol and how it is an immune suppressant. alot of ms meds are immune suppressants too.. weird.

hope you're well xx

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Bretagne! Thank you for supporting the Spartans with me! Unfortunately we lost, but they're still the 2nd best team in America!

I know, it is weird about alcohol and medications both being suppressants. Oh well. I hope you're feeling great!

[n95johnny]

hey lauren,

as i am on avonex (liver probs is a side effect) so i gave it up once i went on the injection (peace of mind) so now i drink once i a blu moon. cal me silly but i am

ha ha ha

top stuff

see ya

[laurenvparrott]

Hey Johnny! No I totally understand...it's not worth risking our health just to have a few beers - even though it's fun!

[angelusa73]

Thank you for sharing this information with us. It's easy for me not to drink because I don't like it very much, but I never have a problem if I drink a glass of wine once in a while. In my country, we believe that a little red wine is very good for us but I mean drinking a glass once in a while and not very often...Medicines are already hurting our liver so I would avoid drinking a lot!

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Angela! I couldn't agree more. My family is Italian and wine is very common for us to drink. But I agree, having a glass once in a while is the way to go.

[teafourtao]

Hi Lauren - glad you chose this topic; many of us are on interferon, which can adversely effect the liver. Why put more strain on my precious liver!? I've given up all alcohol, and you know what? I feel great, and don't even miss it!

[laurenvparrott]

I know!! I feel the same way. I haven't given it up completely, but I definitely have cut back. I'm so glad you're feeling great!

[bekiki]

Are we suppose to be on some kind of medication for the rest of our lifes?.. at this time I'm not taking any medication and my neurologist is not really helping me to make a desition. I'll have a MRI done next april 6th... I hope that the results are positive.

[navymuret]

Bekiki, if you are diagnosed with definite or probable MS, then it is HIGHLY recommended that you be on one of the interferon drugs or Copaxone, and if they don't work then Tysabri. They have ALL been shown to slow MS progression (in relapsing/remitting MS), thus delaying disability and improving patients lives. My MS doc is VERY vocal on this subject, and is concerned for any of his RRMS patients not on a disease modifying therapy.

[bekiki]

Thank you very much for your response.. you're shure more helpfull than my doctor!! Is sad, but he really doesn't care about me. He told me that since I haven't had symptoms for a while my insurance wont cover the meds because it's for RRMS patients and my MS isn't "RR" enough! so... if it was up to him, he wouldn't put me on any medication. I hope that he changes his opinion when he sees my MRI.. because I haven't feel good.

[laurenvparrott]

Hello! I completely agree with everything navymuret said. If I was in your position, I would probably get a 2nd opinion I feel bad that you feel like your neurologist doesn't care about you. I want you to be in the best health possible - please keep in touch and let me know how your MRI results go!

[navymuret]

I agree with Lauren. Get a second opinion from a different neurologist if at all possible. The only reason I can think of for not putting you on a disease modifying therapy is that the docs do not think you even have PROBABLE MS. Every opinion I have read about strongly recommends a DMT for even probable MS. Studies have shown these medications effective, even preventing a move to "definite" MS.

[bekiki]

Exactly!..Thats what he told me in my very first appt.. that maybe I didn't even have MS.. and I was like "are u crazy?" I've seen 5 different neurologist since I was diagnosed back in 1998 and all of them told me "sorry but yeah you have MS".. I guess he thinks that way because he hasn't seen any of my MRI's and I've been stable for a while. Lest see what he says when he gets the results from the MRI. I took betaseron for 2 years up until 2 years ago and since then I haven't take anything =(

[tonywilde1234]

HI sweetie ;),

Great vid Lauren, looking as gorgeous as you always do :D. My opinion on drinking is just my own, so i hope no-one feels scared by what i put, there are too many MS scare stories out there as we all know. Because i'm n tysabri i am a little concerned at the reported liver problems, this and the fact that i have mothly liver function tests is enoughh for me to be totally abstinant from booze. I also feel wobbly enough without the drink haha! GO MICHIGAN (whatever sport it is!!xxx

[laurenvparrott]

Hello! Thank you so much - you are so sweet!! I couldn't agree more with what you said. I do have a drink occasionally but not often at all. I know - I'm already wobbly - better than I used to be - but alcohol only makes it worse!! I hope you have a great weekend! :)

[enniroc84]

thank you so much for your videos. i have not been technically diagnosed, but i've had some odd symptoms (sudden dizziness, pain behind eyes, unexplained pain and some numbness in limbs) come and go through the past couple years. i've had a clear MRI and the neurologist says he doesn't notice any visible symptoms. I am to do another MRI soon to check for any lesions. Watching your videos really gives me hope that having MS is not the end of the world. Thank you so much for being wonderful!

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you so much for your comment! Yes aboslutely - if you get diagnosed with MS, it's not the end of the world! I meet other patients very often and we're all doing very well. Have you had blood tests, or any other kind of tests?

[dmslova]

i love how you always wear college tees! where do you get yours at if you dont mind me asking.

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you! I got mine on campus. The Wash U tees are from my brother's school, and MSU things are from East Lansing!!

[navymuret]

Hi Lauren. The advice about alcohol consumption is well taken, especially about the "non-MS" meds and alcohol. In Jan I went to Vegas and forgot the warning not to mix alcohol with Ritalin. My heart was pounding hard I thought I was going to have a coronary. I was terrified, but after a couple of hours of sleep it went away. Also due to liver damage caused by other meds for MS, pts should always be responsible drinkers.

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Andy! Thank you for saying that! Similar things have happened to me with other medications. I hope you are well!

[macycj]

Im looking into taking ritalin also..hows it working for u,what are the side effects.

I go the 7th and im gonna ask my pcp about it...

hugs

aly

[navymuret]

Hi Macy. Well, the reason I am on Ritalin is because my VA neurologist had to take me off of Provigil because the VA no longer believes it is effective in helping fatigue in MS patients (which I don't agree--it was helping me). So my neuro put me on Ritalin. No major side effects for me...I take 20mg twice a day..helps me to be more "up", but fatigue still a MAJOR problem for me. Its a fairly safe drug..see if your doc lets you try it. God Bless!

[peterpan3930]

haha lauren oh my god!!!!

so since when do i need to monitor my drinking- i never have and iv had heaps of diff meds ahhhhhhh

ok so maybe il just take the ignorance is bliss stance....

bottoms up

thanks for the vids x

[laurenvparrott]

Hey! I still drink and have fun, but I don't go crazy. If you're worried you can talk to your doctor. You'll be fine - just be smart!

[Vonnag]

Hello. Just came across your videos. I am in an ms exacerbation right now. My fourth. I've had three this year alone. I watched several of your videos from 2007 and starting Tysabri. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing! Your voice and shaking has improved dramatically. It is an encouragement. I'm thinking about Tysabri, but that's a big step. I'm on Copaxone right now.

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you for writing! I hope you get through this relapse ASAP! I wish you the best and please keep in touch!

[bekiki]

Hi, Vonnag! I was reading your comment and you mention taking copaxone and being hesitant about switching to tysabri. Is it because tysabri is more aggressive?

I'm asking because at this time I'm not taking any medication at all and after watching Lauren's videos and seeing her improvement I thought that it could be an option even though I haven't had an exacerbation in the last 8 years (well at least not a visible one) I have other simptoms but I don't know if they are related to MS...Thank u!

[macycj]

good luck on your MRI Bekiki!!

Im not on any meds right now either...so I pray for the both of us that the ms will hold off and be nice to us!! lol

hugs,

aly

[bekiki]

Thank you Aly!! I'll let you know what happens. Honestly I'm not looking foward to have the MRI with contrast because it makes feel sick (nausea) and last time I almost threw up while inside the tub!! This time I'll ask if they can take me out of the tube while they put the inyection=)

[macycj]

that sux!!

that would be awful if u did,not to mention just gross!! lol

[Vonnag]

At this point, I am not considering Tysabri after all. There has been more questions lately about it's safety. Not that I would never take it. I am fixing to start Low Dose Naltrexone. It is helping a lot of people with MS, and no side effects. You can do a google search on LDN and MS to find out more.