As denial had deceived me, I was slow to accept Multiple Sclerosis. Who, after all, would embrace a diagnosis of the dread disease, of no known cause, for which there is no cure?

I feel that denial has been one of my most insidious adversaries. Acceptance of a dreaded disease diagnosis, as in my case MS, has been a bitter battle.

If I severely severed my finger, I could deny that I had cut myself all that I wanted too, but I would still have to get the bleeding stopped.

If someone told me that I had halitosis, I could get mad at the bad-news bearer, but it might be wiser to go brush my teeth.

Mind over matter will not work here. Like the blind man with a bazooka, it will not matter how strong my resolve if I don’t see or identify my immediate enemy.

By denying that I do have a problem, I even limit my Lord’s ability to heal me. Rather, He accomplishes this by fueling my faith, utilizing resources within my own mind, leading me to collective wisdom of the more learned, or manifesting my healing via a miraculous recovery. The lepers whom the Lord healed didn’t try to deny that they had leprosy. A blind man was asked, “What do you want?”

I have a better promise of finding a satisfactory solution by acknowledging that I do indeed have a particular problem. If, like an Ostrich, I bury my head beneath the sand, my butt will still be hanging out.

I’m learning that to overcome a personal predicament, recognition of its reality is the first step toward disarming the enemy. (TEV) Proverbs 22:3 Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later.

Dr’s say I have Multiple Sclerosis. This diagnosis is confirmed by their tests and my own body’s developing symptoms. Okay, I can submit to that part. But conventional medicine doesn’t know the cause, or have a cure, so I had better find one, or learn how to live with it. This is not an act of giving up. It is a Declaration-of-War!

Now, this is a different kind of war than I’ve ever before waged. There is a lot at stake here. Not only my own life, but the lives of my loved ones, and even our personal freedoms are at risk.

Recognizing that this unauthorized challenger is bigger than I am, I’ll just have to grow. I’ll rally an army made up of angels, those who love and believe in me, and those who still want to. Although I lack the financial strength and physical stamina that I may have once had, we will whip this foe together.

Certain war-time principles apply. The first thing I must remember is not to abuse my allies or trample my own troops. By the very nature of my disease, and new limitations, we all suffer increased anxiety. I’d better be asking myself, “What can I do to alleviate some stress for them?”

When those who want to support me watch me wobbling on a cane, it doesn’t instill much confidence in my sound judgment. I’m not fooling the people who know me, and frightening the poor people who don’t. Total strangers even take on stress.

Claiming that I am not disabled casts doubt upon my good sense. Maybe, using a 4-wheeled walker, with a solid seat, would reflect better judgment and make us all more secure? (ASV) Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Russ Miles is author of the novel, For Sale By Owners:FSBO. A “Seasoned” Real Estate NAR® Broker, he is “Disabled” by Multiple Sclerosis, FOR SALE BY OWNERS:FSBO ISBN 0-595-28703-4,in trade paperback, is available by phone or Internet:1-800-Authors to order direct! Very HOT–LINK Adobe e-book & hard cover editions also available at Amazon.com at Barnes and Noble and other fine booksellers. For personal referrals to his publisher or comments, reach Russ at (360)694-6756. Or by e-mail MilesRuss@Gmail.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russ_Miles

Wow! Now this is exciting! If you suffer from multiple sclerosis or know someone who does, this is the kind of news we've been waiting to hear! According to this article Accentia Drug First Aimed at 'Curing' MS, which was published by United Press International, Accentia Biopharmaceuticals is planning to seek permission from the FDA for Phase 3 trials of its new drug Revimmune. According to the article, studies done at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine showed a 42% average improvement in function in those patients, with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). Accentia says that the investigational drug "holds the potential to restore function in many patients who have accute deficits due to MS". With the recent story on genes being connected to MS being found, and now this, MS research seems to be taking a big jump forward lately. Hopefully, this is the type of research that we've been hoping for! — Vince

In this Trigeminal Neuralgia article series, we take a look at Trigeminal Neuralgia, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Trigeminal Neuralgia is also called “Tic Douloureux”, which is French for “painful tic”. It is characterized by facial pain which may occur upon eating, shaving or touching. This disease is not common. It occurs in 150 per million people per year and usually occurs in patients over 50 years of age.

Trigeminal Neuralgia is a disorder of the Trigeminal Cranial Nerve. We have twelve pairs of cranial nerves on either side of the head. The Trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve. The Trigeminal nerve has three branches:

V1 (Ophthalmic) affects the eye, forehead and nose V2 (Maxillary) affects the upper teeth, gum and lip, the cheek, lower eyelid and the side of the nose. V3 ((Mandibular) affects lower teeth, gum, lower lip and jaw.

Symptoms usually occur on one side of the face and can range from sudden, sharp, electrical or throbbing pain and can occur throughout the day.

What causes Trigeminal Neuralgia? Theories abound, but it is commonly believed to stem from compression of the Trigeminal nerve, due to a blood vessel pressing on the nerve, tumors in the skull, or multiple sclerosis.

Many people go undiagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia because symptoms mimic other conditions such as dental problems and migraines.

In our next series, we take a look at how Trigeminal Neuralgia is diagnosed as well as conventional medical treatment.

There are also holistic Trigeminal Neuralgia treatments which also give some relief.

Cynthia Smith is currently pursuing her MBA in Technology Management. Her interests include reading science fiction, matchmaking and singing gospel and classical choral music.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_S.