Re: MSA and sudden declines in health

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

" Sudden " (less than two weeks) declines are NOT part of MSA itself. However,

MSA with infection IS common. Infection DOES cause sudden declines and usually

you improve once the infection is cleared up. However, people tend to

procrastinate about going to the doctor and some doctors think you must have a

" fever " of over 100º to have a fever. You must aggressively fight infection if

you have MSA.

Drinking lots of liquids including cranberry and pear juice can HELP fight

infection. If you are going to eat sweets and chocolate for your calories, you

must still get your daily vitamin needs, so watch your nutritional needs also.

If you are on Sinemet, you need to watch your protein intake - and not eat

protein for about 45 minutes after taking the Sinemet and about 2 hours before

taking it. BUT you need protein to prevent infection and to promote healing of

skin. So balancing this need becomes a problem.

After infections are over, you usually have to work hard on exercise to regain

lost muscle movement. Sorry, it's tough, but it is the only way to gain back

movement - including speech and swallowing muscles.

Above all, don't accept restricted movement without a fight. That will cause

you to lose muscle tone very fast. Exercise - daily range of movement exercises

when you can no longer walk (as aerobics can no longer be used then) and speech

exercises ARE important.

Take care, Bill Werre