Hi, Just wondering what does anyone personally know about the causes of MS. Is stress the greatest factor, or is it a factor at all?

Well, I googled it and this is the web site I looked at.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...-ms/index.aspx

"While the cause (etiology) of MS is still not known, scientists believe that a combination of several factors may be involved. Studies are ongoing in the areas of immunology (the science of the body’s immune system), epidemiology (that looks at patterns of disease in the population), and genetics in an effort to answer this important question. Understanding what causes MS will be an important step toward finding more effective ways to treat it and—ultimately—cure it, or even prevent it from occurring in the first place."

I know stress made my mother's MS worse. Also the heat and humidity seemed to tire her out more.

I have MS and I can say the worst part of it is the heat and humidity. When I get really fatigued I listen to my body and if I have to take a day off from work just to sleep it benefits me. Also I stay away from sugars and carbs and starches it seems to slow me down. I've had MS for the last 8 yrs and take an injection every night. I have a full-time job that requires me to be outside in the Florida sun but I always have cold water and the work vehicle is always on a/c!

I don't know the causes but wish you luck. Having any disease that slows you down or hampers your body is a real pain. Prayers coming your way

I have MS. The cause is unknown that is why there is no known cure or treatment. Many drugs are used to "treat" it, but most cost $1,000.00 a month or more. You are sick and can't work but it is assumed you can pay that price for the drugs! I started one of these drugs with health insurance paying most of the cost, but after 12 months they stopped payments. They told my case manager I should either be cured or dead after 12 months of treatment!!! Shows their ignorance! Lots of money goes for research but nothing has come of it. I don't know if anyone can prove stress CAUSES it but it makes it worse. Good luck!!

My daughter's DH has MS and it's getting a little worse each year.
I'm told he was born way too early, got a bad start in life but he refused to admit for many years that he was handicapped. Held down a demanding security job till his body forced him to quit.
He was delighted to get my own DH's electric wheel chair so he can visit his mother across the street while my DD is at work.

No one has been able to tell him what caused it or what will cure it or what might even help, besides a good diet.

the rate of MS is very high in Colorado for some reason.

I do have MS. Stress is not a causative factor, but it certainly does make the symptoms intensify.

I do not know the cause. I myself have M.S., I was diagnosed in 2002 but had it 7years befor that. The doctors here in my area did NOT catch it. I do know stress is a big NO NO. The heat kills me along with the humidity. I have been on every ABC, R drug and tysabri infusions. Now I am on the pill form, GILENYA. Woo Hoo, it is so nice not getting shots! There are 5 of us 1st cousins that have it. It runs on both sides of my family. I just say LORD, give it to e and NOT my kids nor grandaughter. God gave me broad shoulders, now I know why! Thank god I can still walk, just not too far. Things could ALWAYS be worse!

It is very odd but many women in our area have it. I heard of a new case just today. It makes we fear living here.

I went to collage with a woman with MS and she said that cold made her pain more intensive. She got a computer with a large screen and magnified from the blind services and was on medicade

Please see my posting Alternative Treatment for Auto Immune Diseases in the General Chit-Chat list. The drug I talk about there is also used for MS patients, and there have been clinical studies to support the effectiveness of it. I am trying very hard to get the word out about this. It is very effective for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, MS and a whole list of other immune related diseases.

It is amazing how many of us on this board either have MS or knows a loved one or friend that has it. Heat and humidity are the most common factors and I live in Florida so go figure! But I keep my body relaxed when I can and well hydrated. As for insurance its true. When I started my shots 8 yrs ago they cost $1,590 now they are $4350 a month! I do have health insurance but I also contacted the maker of the shots and they have an assistance program that has helped me for the last yr. and a half. I highly suggest that anyone can call these manufacturers and they will assist you. I too was am still am afraid once they cut me off the assistance then what? I'm divorced and live alone and its a scary feeling that someday I will wake up and not be able to use my legs at normal function (right now my left leg is giving me problems).

I am brand new to this site. A friend called me today to tell me about it. I do not have MS but have had lupus for over 9 years. Stress can flare most of these autoimmune diseases up. I have been writing a blog since last fall about living with chronic illnesses such as lupus and MS. You might find it interesting. The recent post was actually on quilting. http://www.dominateyourdiagnosis.com if your are interested.

i take of my sister she has progressive ms and the heat is always bad and her short term memory is so bad

My middle daughter has been living with her 7th grade teacher since she was 14. They were 2 blocks from my house. My daughter did her cleaning, carried her bags for her (she was unable to shop because she used crutches to walk and couldn't hold the bags and crutches), ran errands and the things that we take for granted. She was diagnosed with MS about 19 years ago. Since then, she has been hospitalized numerous times, walks with crutches, has a wheelchair for long trips out, has a computer that speaks for her (she was a Social Studies teacher but had to retire because the kids couldn't understand what she was saying). My daughter also performed stretching exercises on her legs so her muscles wouldn't atrophy. In return, this teacher has bought a condo which my daughter and grandson have their own rooms, they are taken on vacation yearly (been to Hilton Head many times as part of a time share)and Walt Disney World in Florida. While her MS has gotten progressively worse, she is grateful for every minute she has here. My grandson considers her a Grandma too. She has a great outlook on life. I do know that heat and stress really bothers her MS. She also wears leg braces. If that wasn't enough, almost 4 years ago she was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. When diagnosed with this disease, it's usually a death sentence within 6 months. It will be 4 years in August. Every day is a blessing. She's one special lady.

I have MS and stress can indeed cause a flair.

I have had it for over 15 years. There are no definitive causes, but stress can cause it as well as other things.

According to my research, there are two main types....one is situational, in which there is an episode, and then gradually either the episodes decrease or increase, dependent on the person and the situation...in my case, this was my category.

The other is much more serious and debilitating, and episodes maintain their presence, and continue over time. Some famous actors have had this (Annette Funicello, Richard Pryoer) and though I dont know for certain,they seem to have the second category.

I had no insurance when initially diagnosed, and luckily received help through a support group, where I found that diet and exercise helped my symptoms. Unfortunately the damage caused in my case only was a lack of feeling on the right side of my body down to my knee, along with debilitation in nerve endings that calculate need for bowel movements, and withstanding heat and cold....all of which I have cmpnsated for without using drugs of any kind.
I am extremely lucky in this regard, andjust have to stay away from certain foods like meat and cheese, in order for the symptoms not to appear again.

In my area, too, and it seems like every day I meet a body with it.

My father too has MS, and is very bothered by heat and humidity, I have been told that barometric pressure is a real factor. I had never heard that meat and cheese could make it worse. My Dad has worstened to the point that he is in a nursing home, and is wheelchair bound, can do nothing for himself. It makes me a little angry because he refused to do anything to help himself, such as exersise of any type, and now can do nothing. I think you have to use it or you will loose it and he was told that by most of the doctors. He is very angry and expects much of his caregivers and family.

I don't think stress can cause it but many things including stress can
worsen the symptoms

I have had MS for almost 10 years now, and stress makes it worse and seems to as I say "stir it up", but it doesn't cause it.

As a medical professional, I have found persons with MS have low histamine which is needed to work the muscles. A nurse with ms in 1988 with the help of a phamasist invented a Histamine Patch as long as she wears the patch she is normal.
Here is the web page to get the patch.
http://www.poitiveimpactliving.blogs...e-patches.html