Posted by Lisa Borders on April 13, 2002 at 16:59:27:
In Reply to: Latest MRI and Neuro's comments on MS, diet and Copaxone posted by Margie on April 09, 2002 at 04:48:33:
: I went to the neuro I've been seeing since Swank's clinic closed. A few other Swankers have become his patient. He is a very good neuro who also teaches child neurology at OHSU. He had my new MRI films and he was in a good mood. He showed them to me. 100% NO progression in lesion load or atrophy and the brain stem and a bunch of big word things have not changed either. I am sending Dr. Swank a copy of the MRI report.
: In the beginning I was pretty much bed bound but each year on diet I have gotten better and the last three years are miraculous to me. My neuro has researched Dr. Swank's work and checked things out. He is so impressed with what he has learned and with this bunch of Swankers he has inherited, that he now suggests all his ms patients to get on the diet. He said as far as he was concerned Swank's work is scientific proof that diet effects the course of MS and that we should stay on it. We have a convert!!!
: He also said that as one gets passed menopause the ms tends to quiet in 85 % of MS folks due to the tendency of the immune system to shut down a bit.
: I asked him about Copaxone. He said it was the least horrible of the 3 but that if the diet can keep things at bay he sees no reason to go on it. He said that sometimes the immune system reacts to the C and causes a big reaction that ends with exacerbation and perhaps permanent difficulty. So he said not to use it unless the MS problems outweigh the risk of the C.
: Also he said that a very large number of his patients do B12 shots (1,000 to 4,000ccs a week) and that they feel more energetic and have better stamina like I do. He said it is preferably to the meds that wire you up and B12 is safe to use in the above amounts. Since I've been doing that amount for over two years, I have to agree. So that is all I gleaned from this visit. Hope it helps someone. margie