While the care of a neurologist and conventional therapies are needed, there are some other tests that need to be done in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) . I am not a MS specialist. The cause of MS is still unknown. It has been postulated that MS is an autoimmune disease. Others feel it is caused by a virus. I do believe that the cause is multi-factorial. I believe that all the hypothesis are viable. I know that if treatment is started early for a newly diagnosed patient, can be quite effective. Other testing that I feel should be done is heavy metal testing, environmental testing, and food allergy testing--especially gluten sensitivities. This was research by Roger MacDougall who was affected by MS and bound to a wheelchair. His condition slowly improved when he eliminated all gluten from his diet.
A different dietary lifestyle must be sought. In 1948, Dr Roy Swank believed that a diet low in animal fat can arrest the progression and symptoms of the disease. I have seen a slower progression in patients whom follow the Swank protocol. Newer dietary lifestyles have been used since 1948 with better results, however these are basically all derived from the Swank protocol. Unfortunately, this compassionate doctor died in 2008. http://www.swankmsdiet.org/
The recommendations of the Swank protocol are as follows: 1. Saturated fat intake no more than 10 grams(1/2 ounce daily) 2. A daily intake of 40-50 grams of polyunsaturated fats (I suggest much lower and margarine, and hydrogenated oils are strictly forbidden) 3. One teaspoon to one tablespoon of cod liver oil daily 4. Normal protein intake (6-10 ounces daily- try leaner protein) 5. Intake of fish 3-4 times a week (no tuna, swordfish or crustaceans)
In addition to serum and provocative 6 hour urine testing, I recommend a IgG RAST serum allergy test. The conventional testing of all scans should be done with the guidance of a neurologist.
In my practice I utilize many supplements. These supplements can be powder, capsule and/or intravenous routes of administration. Good multi-vitamin and mineral formulas are essential. I use both tumeric (Curcuma longa ) and Gingko biloba in MS patients. There are interesting relavent studies regarding these herbs. Serum levels of Vitamin D should be measured and high supplementation may be needed. I also use many oils as well as alpha lipoic acid. The one medication I use for autoimmune disease is Low Dose Naltrexone ( LDN) starting at 1.0 mg . I usually go up to 4.5 mg