Judy Graham is Author of MSRC A-Z Guide to Complementary Therapies with Frances Pulling, commissioned by the MSRC, which covers the widest possible range of Complementary Therapies. This book is a real MS Bible.

Judy Graham, writer, broadcaster and editor. Diagnosed with MS at 26 tells us a bit about her Life and how she manages MS day to day.

“People often wonder how, more than 30 years after the first MS Symptoms, I am still able to work pretty much full time (from home), and can walk unaided the full length of my shopping mall with only the merest of hobbles. I also do normal mum-like things with my 15 year old son like buy bits for his computer or collect him from teenage parties. I honestly don’t think this would have been possible without doing many of the things listed in this book.

My Journey into the realm of Complementary therapies began in 1974 when I started taking Evening Primrose Oil (EPO). Since then I have never missed a day. I also switched to eating a low-fat diet and began eating a more healthy diet. Every so often, I completely give up all wheat and dairy produce. When I do I immediately feel so much better, it’s like a fog lifting. Certainly, the people around the world with MS who seem to do the best are on a wheat and dairy-free diet.

More than anything I have put my faith in Supplements, wherever I go a bag-full comes with me! Among them are Antioxidants (Pynocgenal and Grape Seed extract), Multi-Vitamin Mineral tablets, EPO, Fish Oils (or Flax Seed Oil), MSM, Vitamin B12 injections or sublingual tablets, Amino acids, Trace Elements, Blue Green Algae. For brainpower I take NADH. Gingo Biloba, Co-Enzyme Q10, L-Phenylalanine & Ginseng. I’ve had Acupuncture, Alexander Technique, & Shiatsu. I’ve tried Naturopathy, Hydrotherapy, Osteopathy, & Cranial-Sacral Therapy. I’ve done Yoga, meditation & seen a Counsellor.

So how do I know which therapy is working? I reckon they all are. It’s not just one thing OR another. My own view is that if you have MS you have to do many things all at the same time if you want to slow down the slide into disability. I think diet and supplements are an absolute must. Something to help bring the body back into balance, like acupuncture, is needed too. I think it is also good to have some sort of physical therapy, whether massage, aromatherapy or whatever. Also some ‘mind’ therapy to help you sort yourself out and control stress.

In their own way all these therapies have been good. I sometimes wonder how much healthier I would be if I gave up work and concentrated on Complementary Therapies. But I don’t want MS to be a full-time occupation, and in any case I couldn’t afford it. So I do what I can, when I can, and just get on with life!"