19 msfocusmagazine.org For example, if a person adopts a new diet regimen and subsequentlygoes into remission, what happens if they stop that diet regimen? If they return to their old way of eating, they are just as likely to have an MS relapse as they were before they made the change. By addressing one contributing factor to MS, they may have brought on remission, but they did not cure the underlying disease. A healthy diet, exercise, and certain supplements have been found to improve the health of people with MS, but only to varying degrees. Because of the complexity of the disease, a change that works for one person with MS may not work for another. In fact, many regimens that people have touted as cures based on their personal experience with remission have been studied, and so far none have been found effective for that goal in clinical trials. It’s important to recognize that remission, however long-term, is not the same as a cure, and that what works for you may not work for others. However, if you find yourself in remission and believe it is attributed to a particular change that you have made, keep doing what you’re doing! “I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.” It’s understandable that if you’ve been through the ups and downs of relapses and remissions for some time, you may have difficulty accepting long periods of stability. Instead of enjoying a period of remission, you may be anxiouslywaiting for MS to strike its next blow. Stop and think about the purpose that worrying serves. It motivates us to do what we can to prepare for whatever we’re worried about. In the case of a relapse, you might prepare by having a plan in place to address your needs and responsibilities. For example, you might set money aside in case you have to miss work, or you might develop a contingency plan for getting your children to and from school and extracurricular activities. But after your plan is made, does worry serve any further purpose? Or does it simply sap your energy and enjoyment of life? Make a plan, and when worries enter your mind, firmly remind yourself that there’s a plan in place and you do not need to be concerned with it right now. If you’re experiencing a period of time free of relapses, make the most of it. Keep up your care routine, continue taking positive steps to improveyour health, plan for potential problems, and don’t worry about what MS’s next move will be. Enjoy the moment, relapse-free.