Personal Stories about the Swank MS Diet

Personal Stories.
Need some inspiration? Consider these testimonials from Dr. Swank's patients. Read about Amy, active and healthy until a diagnosis of MS changed her life at the young age of 25. Meet Ruth, one of Dr. Swank's original patients who was once considered an invalid for life. And then there's Nikki, who started the diet in 1994 and has been relapse-free ever since.

How MS Changed my Life. By Amy Elledge.

When I heard the words, “Multiple Sclerosis” I thought my life was over. I was 25, training for triathlon, going to school full-time and living my life in Phoenix. Within four months my symptoms were taking such a toll on me that I could barely function, and when my mom saw me she insisted that I go back to my hometown in Washington (state). I had lost my health, my life, many people whom I thought were friends, school, everything that was important to me. I just wanted to die, and believe me I thought about it every waking moment.

I hadn’t realized it at the time, but I was very fortunate to have the doctors I did when I was diagnosed. They told me that I was young and strong and shouldn’t go on any of the medications. When I got to my hometown I was faced with a whole new story. Not only did the doctors tell me that I didn’t have MS, but that there was nothing wrong with me. I felt like I was losing my mind. My symptoms were getting worse by the day and I just needed help.

That is when I found Dr. Swank and his wife. If it were not for them, I don’t know if I would be here today. After Dr. Swank confirmed my diagnosis, he reiterated what the doctors in Phoenix told me: "You’re young and strong and you don’t need to take the medications."

I began following the diet almost a year to the day after my initial diagnosis. I have seen results, and although I am not 100% physically, there is no doubt that given time, I will be.

But it is not the physical improvements that keep me going day to day. It is the mental freedom. I have never seen life more clearly in my 28 years. I am thankful for what I have and the people in my life. I am thankful for everything, big and small! I never thought that I would feel that the MS is a blessing, but it is the biggest blessing that I have ever been given. If it were not for the MS I never would have been so thankful for all that life has to offer, I never would have met the Swanks and I never would have become the woman I am today.

There are still times when I face adversity, but I find it much easier to cope with and learn from. Life is a learning experience and MS is part of that experience, but it is not who I am, only a part of who I’ve become. Make life happen, don’t let it happen to you!!

Back to top

Update on Amy - latest MRI showed no brain lesions. Since I am fortunate enough to be the editor of the Swank MS Diet newsletter, I have a captive audience with which to share my good news. But it isn’t only good news for me, it is hope for all of us!

When the pressure was put on me to start taking one of the ABCs, I did the research. I wanted to make the best decision regarding my treatment so I studied everything that I could find. I spoke with doctors and with patients who have tried or are still taking the meds. Then I found the diet, and after listening to Dr. Swank, reading his book and speaking with his wife, Leeanna, who also has MS, I knew that the diet was the right decision for me.

It wasn’t an easy decision and every time I go to a doctor, especially a neurologist, I have to defend my decision to be on the diet rather than going on a drug protocol. It isn’t easy to feel that I have to justify my decision.

So what keeps me going? What keeps me from changing my mind, since that would truly be the easiest thing to do because then it would be easier to have the support of doctors? It is that I know that I made the very best decision for myself. I made an educated decision and I know that I made the right choice for me. I am even more certain of that fact given that my last MRI showed that the lesions in my brain are gone. That does not mean that I don’t have MS, only that I am making significant progress. I am overwhelmed by what this news could mean for me. Dr. Swank gave me the tools that I need to treat the multiple sclerosis and I will use those tools for the rest of my life!

Back to top

One of Dr. Swank’s original patients shares her story. by Ruth Brennan

"You do as I say and you will lead a normal life." Dr. Swank’s first words to me at the Montreal Neurological Institute had the same effect as that of a drowning man as he grasped the lifesaver.

In 1950 I had been told by two neurologists to "go home and go to bed, nothing can be done for you." That is where I was when our new family doctor came in to see my three boys, who had German measles. He saw me lying in bed and asked whether he could do anything for me. Full of self-pity I replied, "I guess not, I have multiple sclerosis." His reply was that I was pretty young to have such a diagnosis. I guess my double vision and flickering pupils suggested something else. That was the first time I had heard brain tumor mentioned. I thought, "Great, I’ll have an operation and get all this over with."

Unbelievably, in one week, I had an appointment with the world-renowned brain surgeon, Dr. Wilder Penfield, at the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI). But tragedy struck. The day of the appointment I woke up with German measles. Appointment cancelled.

Some time later I was admitted to MNI and really felt like a monkey in a zoo, being examined by post-graduate students from various countries. My eyes seemed to be the main source of interest, thank heaven. After consultation, it was determined that I didn’t have a brain tumor.

I was to see Dr. Swank, who was starting a research study into the effects of low-fat, moderate protein and high carbohydrate diet on MS patients. When my husband Ted and I were in the elevator going to Dr. Swank’s office I distinctly heard a woman say to her husband, "Imagine a handsome man like that married to a drunken wife." Since I couldn’t stand up by myself, Ted more or less carried me. It had never occurred to me that I looked weird, a great compliment to a compassionate husband.

I really couldn’t see Dr. Swank as we entered his office [due to vision problems]. But there was a quiet assurance in his voice that made me feel I would indeed lead a normal life if I did exactly as I was told. He didn’t say I was to do it for the rest of my life!

There were about ten days of tests. Mercifully I was spared another excruciatingly painful spinal tap; MRIs were still in the future.

After various sessions with Dr. Swank, I had instructions from Miss Aagot Grimsgaard, his research assistant. She assumed personal responsibility for keeping us on track. She was kind but tolerated no nonsense. If one of us were to say, “Can“t I even have a chocolate?”, she almost withered those of us who were sensitive with: “You are not fooling us, only yourselves.” She insisted that everyone ate more than was necessary. If she were alive today her words would certainly be prophetic.

When I left the MNI after my first visit Dr. Swank said, "You are to forget that you are an invalid. You can go home as soon as you can make arrangements." I hadn’t done anything on my own since 1950 and it was 1953. Once again, I did exactly as I was told.

I suppose the rigorous diet separated those who were serious about the program and those who were not. There were a few other things besides diet. We had to rest every day, and if rest was interrupted we had to snatch 15 minutes lying flat. We must never ignore fatigue, never become chilled or overheated. And I love this: avoid stressful situations!

It was during the first six months of being on Dr. Swank’s treatment that everything in the room wasn’t jumping up and down at the speed of light [visually]. I often bandaged my eyes because this distorted vision was so distressing. I called to Ted and whispered that nothing was moving, afraid if I talked it would all start again. I retained my double vision but mercifully the lightning-fast motion stopped. The only thing I can relate it to is the vertical going haywire on the early TVs. Later, my double vision cleared.

Our chaotic home life gradually returned to a semblance of normalcy. At first I was resting for an hour in the morning and two in the afternoon, then later it was one hour daily.

I visited Dr. Swank every year until he left Montreal for Portland, Oregon in 1954. He was very pleased with my progress and in one letter to me said that I was "immortalized" as he told about my struggles and successes in his lectures in other countries.

Dr. Swank returned to Canada to see his Montreal patients for one month each year until 1975 when he retired as Professor and Head of the Department of Neurology at Oregon Health Sciences University. After that time he kept in contact with his Montreal patients by letter and telephone.

Dr. Swank came from Portland in 1989 to appear on a Canadian TV show, “Fifth Estate CBC Toronto” with Pierre (another of his Montreal patients) and me. My only criticism of that program was that we appeared perfectly fit and the clip they used of an unfortunate young chap on drug therapy, not a Swank patient, was distressing. He was walking with great difficulty using two canes. Pierre and I walked on quite normally. Nothing was said to indicate that we couldn’t walk at all before treatment. The network made its point, but it was slightly contrived.

The morning I was to leave MNI after my first stay, Dr. Swank came in to say goodbye to me. He chatted away a minute or two and ended by saying that I "might even live to be 80!" We both laughed. Eighty was a lifetime away. At this writing I am 83 and still active and ambulatory.

Back to top

Nikki’s story: Never give up!

The year was 1984 and I was sitting in the doctor’s outer office for a consultation. The doctor told me that he predicted multiple sclerosis. My first question was, “How do I get rid of it?” His reply was, “You don’t.” Next question: “Did I just pass it on to my 15 month old son?” His reply: “Probably not.” After I looked at my husband and his image became blurred through my tears, I decided to find out everything else this man had to say. “Tell us about this disease,” I said. To our horror this is what we were told: “Your life will be shortened. The MS will not kill you, but a complication of the disease will.” He went on to say, “Chances are very great that you will be confined to a wheelchair and you will live in pain.”

My husband and I left the office at that point and once we were outside, we agreed never to step foot in that office again. We went directly home and I called information and asked for the phone number of the MS Foundation. (I don’t know for sure why those were my choice of words, but I now believe it was a form of divine intervention!) The MS Foundation instructed me to get and read a book by Dr. Roy L. Swank, The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Book.

I raced to the nearest book store and got that book. By now the effects of the lumbar puncture were in full swing; I was flat on my back with excruciating pain in my neck, my feet and legs were becoming numb and I was scared. But I had my book to read. My husband figured out a way to prop it up and I read as much as I could each day.

Within a few days I received pamphlets from the MS Foundation. Among the information was a testimonial from a man who had seen Dr. Swank and had made a miraculous recovery. This sounded great to us since, at this point, I could only crawl on the floor due to my weakness and the terrible headache. (These were side effects from the lumbar puncture and the MS was also exacerbating from it.) My husband had to lift me into the bathtub and bathe me. I was confined to my bed with my active 15-month-old son at my side. Remembering the testimonial, I decided to call this man and ask him a few questions. I reached him and we had a lengthy conversation about MS and Dr. Swank. But he told me that Dr. Swank was either retired or not taking new patients.

Considering my present situation, and considering that I am and always have been a very determined, maybe even a stubborn person, I decided that I was going to track down the only doctor who had devoted his entire career to multiple sclerosis. I did just that and to my surprise, I not only spoke to Dr. Swank’s receptionist but I scheduled an appointment with him! The appointment was not for a few months, but this gave me time to recover from my worst symptoms and also to read the entire book and start the wonderful diet. We lived in Illinois at the time and Dr. Swank’s office was in Oregon.

When my appointment time finally arrived, I entered the world of Dr. Roy Swank. I was hoping that he would say that the other doctor had made a mistake but, sadly, he did not. Now it was time to pay attention and follow the pro. All I had read and all that he had said to me made so much sense. I was on my way, I had met the master and listened!

I am still listening and minding! I have experienced only occasional symptoms and have never had an exacerbation since that first horrible experience. I now have two active boys. (Under Dr. Swank’s direction we had another big, healthy boy!) I am active and very few people are aware that I have anything wrong with me. However, I know that I have limitations and heavy restrictions, especially on eating. I am so healthy, though, and I don’t really see them as restrictions. Dr. Swank saved my life, and my family and I will be grateful to him forever. I feel great!

Back to top

Do you have a story to share about your experience on the Swank MS Diet? Tell us about it! Email the Swank MS Foundation today.

If we feel your testimony might help others, we will post it on this site.

Consult with a physician before embarking on this or any other diet.
Every patient is different. Information on this site does not constitute medical advice or treatment. This site does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship.