Weight Loss with Multiple Sclerosis

erialcelyob
erialcelyob Posts: 341 Member
edited November 7 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey guys!

I'm posting this as a favour to my mother who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, she has had it for about 13 years now and uses a walking stick the majority of the time or a wheelchair and has been feeling very down and stuck lately with her weight. She desperately wants to lose weight (no matter how amazing my step dad says she looks) but is really not sure how to go about it.

She used to be a very active adult until her diagnosis and used to go swimming when she could afterwards and now she is rarely capable to do that and has a trike now but also rarely gets to use it mostly due to lack of energy and often has to have naps through the day. She is around 12stone and 5"4 and just been put on medication which has also affected her weight. I am just looking for some advice from people on what they suggest, I know a lot will be down to diet not sure on how much she should take in if counting cals etc.

Thanks!

Replies

  • 0palfire
    0palfire Posts: 8
    My mother in law has MS, she was diagnosed about 20 years ago and she's struggled after the bouts of IV steroids she was given and obviously the fatigue. (Basically just bumping this topic!)
    On the opposite side, my fiance just got diagnosed at Christmas (he's only 27) and he's lost so much weight and muscle (he's always been thin). He's got a manual job and only just back to work full time and regained the use of his legs properly. He's never needed to work out but we're not sure about doing weights to try build him up again yet as he's bedded by 8 after a full days work as it is...
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    One of my Grams had MS from the time I can remember and one of the major issues she always had was her weight. My mom had a friend who had it in her early 20's although it only ever required a cane...she never had weight issues (odd I know)

    For the calories MFP will figure that out unfortunately your mom will be one of those who is quite sedentary and it wont be a lot.

    Enter her info into here or scooby etc, her activity and it will give you her maintenance and a reasonable deficet.

    Now the meds that may interfere will make it even harder with water retention, slow weight loss etc but it will just mean she has to be very accurate and careful.

    Good luck to her.
  • Nikki299
    Nikki299 Posts: 1
    Hi,

    I have MS myself, and am really struggling with weight loss too - although I pretty much always have - fatigue does not help!

    One thing I have got is an exercise DVD from the MS Trust website, which goes through exercises for all abilities, including some for when you're sitting down, and it is free. The MS Trust website has some great info on diet and exercise - maybe this could help?

    Hope this helps

    Nikki
  • kr1ssy23
    kr1ssy23 Posts: 270 Member
    Im 28 and just got diagnosed in Dec. Been struggling for a long time but somehow Ive been able to lose 22 lbs....very slow but its something. I still have a lot more to go. I eliminated everything but water for my drinks besides the occasional drink on the weekend. Fatigue is a BIG problem. On Ritalin but that doesnt help me at all. Now I have a job and Im constantly going to be on the go so Im hoping that can help with my weight-loss. I need to train myself on whats good for my body and immune system and hopefully it will level itself out. Good luck with ur mom :)
  • hopeaskew
    hopeaskew Posts: 4 Member
    I have been diagnosed with MS since 2012. Suffering since 2008. Its been a real struggle, but the best thing I have come to know is the truths I learned in the MS Recovery Diet. Get the book and it will help you if you follow it. At least take the time to figure out what food is actually triggering the relapses. It is possible to lose weight with MS. I lost 30 pounds from Feb. to June of this year and felt great. 90% symptom FREE. I felt so great that I started eating and doing things the old way. I am in relapse now because of it. I am finding my way back NOW, but the good thing is that I know this works. Just need to learn its not a temporary choice, but a lifestyle when you suffer from MS. We do have a way to be symptom FREE, just not the easiest road to take.
  • BeckyTipton
    BeckyTipton Posts: 1
    I was diagnosed with MS also in 2012 along with celiac dx. I suffer with fatigue and memory problems. I have gained 50. Getting exercise is so hard. Just don't feel like it, too tired. When I do, I feel so weak. I also started trying to stay on my gluten free diet. thanks for the information on the ms recovery diet. im going to try to find it.
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