My testing of Cognitive thinking skills took 2 1/2 hours to complete. They said I did extremely well having ataxia. And want to understand why I'm doing so well having SCA. Well I told them what I'm doing. They are 4 things that I do that help me I think: I thought that I'd share them with you just in case you wanted to try these out too.
1)I really believe allot has to do with my food choices (no refined sugars, Gluten, any kind of flours, no preservative or additives mostly Organic foods because of toxin's) that are making my body as healthy as possible to handle other things in life I'm required to do just to live. I don't think it's only one thing but all of them put together because other friends that have ataxia have picked and chosen only a few of them, and it hasn't worked for them.
2)I believe God's promises in the Bible relate just to me and hang on to them. I have faith that he guides my steps thorough my day's, so much so that I've surrendered my life to him. When I was diagnosed my life as I knew it was over anyway, so I thought I'd give his thoughts a try and it's making a big difference for me. For some they don't like the word God, I didn't either at first so it was about a Higher Power. I was told as long as it was something outside of myself. Then I started reading devotionals which were God based. I joined a 12 step program that helped me with my food choices and letting my head rule not my emotions.
3)Focused movements regularly: Yoga streching
4)Not using meds on a daily basis. If I'm in pain 3 or more days I have to take a muscle relaxer to break that pattern but stop right after one day and look for ways to do things as natural as possible. I believe each Med (most have Gluten in them also) that could help also have many more side effects that have gotten me on a treadmill of lot's of drugs to counteract one's I was taking. So After I let go of flour and refined sugars or substitutes I found I was able to wean off all together. I did it slowly but without my Dr. approval which I don't recommend. I went through withdrawals for a few months. It was hard, but enough to keep me from trying anything again. Now I don't like to even take an Aspirin when I can try to do something elce first.
They said they are watching me because they are impressed how well I'm doing. They are monitoring me! I hope this can help someone add at least one thing that helps you too! :0)
Regarding food choices, I’m thinking that both bacon and chocolate aren’t good-for-my-brain food choices, and I’ll either have to find substitutes for these things and/or get over this mentally.
I’m not 100% gluten-free, but I’m a part-timer and currently very mindfully aware of consequences/choices/etc., it’s something that is just kind of “out there” right now; I think my major hang-ups are giving up bacon, chocolate, and bread. I just read about gluten-free flour…have you tried this? I will give this a try…if anyone has ideas for bacon or chocolate, please let me know.
Also, regarding 2., I’m not too big on using the word, God, even though I’m Christian; however, I believe that holding the belief in something bigger than a person’s self, especially in this circumstance, is important whether that something is God, nature, Buddha, whatever.
Someone addressed my uncomfortableness of using the word, “God”, and suggested substituting the word, “love”. This substitution of wording not only made it more palatable for me; but it also made the concept more approachable.
Regarding 3., I’m totally on board with seated yoga, meditation, and seated- or floor-exercises.
I found it easier not to substitute things for things I liked and just bit the bullet and remove them. After 3 days of not having refined sugar/chocolate things became more clear for me.
Yes it sure was challenging at first for the first few months but once I went through withdrawals I knew I never wanted to go through that again. And also thought, how good was that for my body if I was addicted to them and had to go through withdrawals from them too.
At first I tried to substitute foods and flours but they didn't seem to help stop my cerebellum but abstance did!
I know lot's of people like bacon. But the nitrates are what I stay away from let along the pork. I figure I look at what the animal eats that's what I eat too! Ewwww. What a thought!
I'm working on less and less dairy.This is a hard one for me to totally give up. I love to have my Yogart in the am with blueberries and my Mighty tasty hot cereal (Redmill make it Gluten Free). I use that it helps with my calcium even though lot's of veggies do too! hahahaha I guess it's been ok cause my brain is doing ok with having it. I don't know. I sure read allot where it is bad though. I try to use Coconut milk Yogurt when I can make it but that's only sometimes.
So do you think all of the non-gluten flours are bad for you as well, like coconut or quinoa flours? I recently changed over to those from wheat flour, but I was wondering about what the effect is on you. Do you have no baked products at all,
I eliminated all kinds of flours. In fact I added most grains now. I don't eat any backed goods and don't miss them. I'm used to not having them. They don't call to me anymore.
I wonder and think that there has to be a connection letting go of refined sugar and flours. I think they must do something when together for me. I don't substitute any foods for Gluten free foods. I don't have anything that comes in a box or a bag.
When I say Gluten Free that means to me separate spices because two or more in one jar sometimes the binder has gluten in it so just to be safe I keep things separate. Gluten can be in vitamins etc. too. So I'm careful but that said I eat off of a plate or fork that had gluten on it at one time and was washed. I know some people are very sensitive to Gluten and have to really stay away from things like that too. I'm lucky that I don't right now. But I never know about my future! :0)
I too donot like to take drugs so I found relief through nutrients. I had a stiff back and severe leg cramps with pain I found relief in 1000 mg calcium and 500 mg magnesium 1/2 in the morning and night. If you have kidney problems a doctor should be involved. If you go to my post Steve I have other nutrients I use.
I'm finding that eating a variety of foods because they work like meds would are only 1/2 the battle. The other 1/2 is moving more, pushing myself with walking more.
I used to take supplements regularly also The more I learn about which vit and min each food has I do that as much as possible. some days I don't feel like eating so I juice my vit and min..My foods I feel really help my body have less fatigue than I would. I'm so used to it now that if my lunch for example is a few hours late my body notices it. And support my muscles and overall health. exercising make me much healthier/stronger to be able to handle the unexpected movements that come up along with the focused movements. Yes it's hard but I figure what ever has a good outcome is hard work.
Moving more is very addicting. some day's I may have to keep really talking myself into doing it but once I'm done I feel so great. I realise it's worth it.
I too donot like to take drugs so I found relief through nutrients. I had a stiff back and severe leg cramps with pain I found relief in 1000 mg calcium and 500 mg magnesium 1/2 in the morning and night. If you have kidney problems a doctor should be involved. If you go to my post Steve I have other nutrients I use.
I know foods have vitamins and minerals just look at the kids they are able to get their nutrients from foods. But as we age
our digestive track slows down and we cannot absorb all the nutrients we need and a lot of times we donot eat the right foods to get our requirements. That is why I take vitamins and minerals. Jeannie if you are over 50 you can take Centrum Silver for woman it should have all the vitamins and minerals they are a little short on calcium magnesium Look at what RDA recommends for your age. Just add enough calcium and magnesium to meet RDA recommendation for your age. I also take vitamin D3 5000 iu. I feel great with no pain everyday with lots of energy.
Jeannie Ball said:
I'm finding that eating a variety of foods because they work like meds would are only 1/2 the battle. The other 1/2 is moving more, pushing myself with walking more.
I used to take supplements regularly also The more I learn about which vit and min each food has I do that as much as possible. some days I don't feel like eating so I juice my vit and min..My foods I feel really help my body have less fatigue than I would. I'm so used to it now that if my lunch for example is a few hours late my body notices it. And support my muscles and overall health. exercising make me much healthier/stronger to be able to handle the unexpected movements that come up along with the focused movements. Yes it's hard but I figure what ever has a good outcome is hard work.
Moving more is very addicting. some day's I may have to keep really talking myself into doing it but once I'm done I feel so great. I realise it's worth it.
I know There are products with calcium magnesium vitamin D but vitamin D is only 400 iu. I take 5000 iu so 400 iu is not enough. Can you mention a product with 5000 iu I would be interested.
Glitter on Butterflies said:
Just FYI - There's a brand of vitamin that has calcium, D3, and magnesium all in one pill.