One of the best things about being an MS Lifelines Ambassador is that I not only get to hear a lot of top-flight experts speak on the subject, but that I also get to meet a lot of people just like me - those living every day with relapsing MS. It's an incredibly supportive community in which fellow MSers swap tips and root for one another.

Of course, the single, critical message that resonates at every meeting I've attended is to get on one of the recommended Disease Modifying Drug therapies (or DMDs) as soon as possible. I take Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) and that's been working for me so far, but you should work with your doctor to figure out which one is right for you.

However, as I sat down to think about this subject, the thing that occurred to me was that in addition to getting on therapy what seems to work for people are things you must do for yourself. That's a blessing and a curse, I guess - it's nice to avoid the co-pay, but sometimes I hate having so much responsibility for my own health. Anyway, for what it's worth, here is my Letterman-style top ten list of tips for self-care, in no particular order:

  1. Try to have a sense of humor about it. Easier said than done, but if you can laugh about that spill you took or that speech tick you've picked up, it makes it all seem a little easier to bear.
  2. Try to have a good attitude. When I was depressed and overwhelmed by my diagnosis, I felt way worse physically. The better I feel mentally, the better I tend to feel physically.
  3. Get a flu shot. Check with your doctor first of course.
  4. There's a pill for that! Don't just suffer in silence, there are medications available that can help make many of the symptoms we face more manageable. Talk to your doctor.
  5. Stretch. It hurts me, but I feel so much better afterwards and so far I am getting more flexible instead of less. Take that MS!
  6. Exercise. Use it or lose it. Whatever you can do is fine as long as you speak to your doctor about it.
  7. Keep your cool. When my body gets hot, I feel like crap. Apparently, this is one of those rare constants among MS sufferers. Crank the air conditioner, get a cooling vest, drink plenty of cool fluids. Whatever it takes.
  8. Hydrate. The more water I drink, the better I feel, especially in the summer. Being a Brit I think I spent the first 25 years of my life chronically dehydrated, never drinking anything that wasn't a diuretic (tea all day, beer all night). Not only did I always have a headache, I wondered why I had to get up five times to pee in the night! You guys are way more enlightened on this one!
  9. Try to get a good night's sleep. It doesn't always stop me from feeling tired, but the better rested I am, the better I feel and seem to do. I am religious about this one.
  10. Try to avoid stress. More and more studies are linking stress to all kinds of diseases. All I know is that I was under terrible stress when I had my first, vicious attack and the more I do to avoid stress, the better I feel. I know life is stressful, but do what you can.

Right, I'm off to drink some water before I run, meditate, and take a nap :)

This journal reflects the personal experience of one person and others can be different. It is best to contact your doctor to discuss what's best for you. Tim is an MS LifeLines Ambassador and has chosen to share his story with other people living with MS. MS LifeLines and MS LifeLines Ambassadors are sponsored by EMD Serono and Pfizer.