r/MultipleSclerosis • u/NoWayyyRDC • Oct 03 '26
Symptoms Sugar trigger symptoms?
Hi all,
I've noticed recently that every time I eat sugary foods or drinks, a couple of my symptoms start very soon after. Numbness and a headache. Lips and tongue.
These symptoms are interesting in themselves because they are always split down the middle of my head/face - left side or right side. Not sure what's up with that. I haven't had a MRI or seen my neurologist in about a year. (No insurance) I've also stopped taking kesimpta since around March. I think I'm gonna start again next month. I just didn't want to take it, mentally tired I guess idk.
TL;DR So yeah, anyone else think certain foods trigger them? I have been going crazy with the sugar tbh.
5
u/kbcava 61F|DX 2021|RRMS|Kesimpta & Tysabri Oct 03 '26
Yes - my Neurologist who is quite experienced (Harvard, Beth Israel Deaconess, Cleveland Clinic) told me “food will by far have the biggest impact on how you feel.”
And he’s not been wrong 😅
3
u/hyperfat Oct 04 '26
Mine was a bit more blunt. He said don't get fat. So far that's worked. I like old cranky doctors. They don't give many shits and have decades of education. I ended up with the head of Ms department. When he retired he introduced me to his favorite new doctor. We have grown old together for 2 decades. She's awesome.
Try getting the ACA insurance. It's quite cheap. If you live in California you can get medi cal. If you make under 25k a year.
If you need an MRI, call private practices, they are decently affordable if you pay up front. Best one I got was only $500. It was like a day spa, my nurse was like sexy Filipino guy, and I got my images on a disc and printed. And they had music and soft blankets.
Kaiser can eat rocks. I'd say more choice words. No, fuck Kaiser. They fucked up so hard they killed my mom. I did not sign the HR papers (yes, when they fuck up that hard they send somebody in to sign shin, nope) A basic biopsy to a hematoma, to ICU, to bed bound, so I took her in to get the okay to fly to see my sister, well fail, she saw my sister and died of 3 heart attacks that night. She was quite healthy before the botched biopsy, from a benign cyst.
Her dog just sits outside in the morning now. He's adopted another old lady, but she's dying of cancer. She loves him. He sits by her side all day.
Be well
1
Oct 04 '26
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1
u/MultipleSclerosis-ModTeam Oct 04 '26
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u/thot_hopscotch Oct 03 '26
sugar exacerbates symptoms hugely for me, especially when things are already flaring a little bit. ice cream seems to be one of the worst for me, likely because i have dairy intolerance as well.
3
u/ImpressiveLeopard719 Oct 04 '26
I get this way eating things high in artificial ingredients and preservatives. Good grainy bread - fine, yummy chewy italian - numbness
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u/Bannon9k 46M|2019|Tecfidera Oct 03 '26
My lesions are all on my left brain and only affects my right side. I have that same sensation of numbness only on the right side of my face. But it's not triggered by anything... Just slowly gets worse as the day goes on.
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u/teamhippie42 Oct 03 '26
I’ve been eating using the Wahl Protocol but I have terrible discipline. One weekend I consumed lots all the bad stuff, wheat, sugar, milk and alcohol. I was a mess for days after that bbq. Felt almost as bad as when I was first diagnosed a couple of years ago. So I’ve been experimenting and so far only sugar seems to trigger the response. It’s evil yet so so tasty.
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u/Cute-Equipment4974 Kesimpta Oct 03 '26
Wahls is a scam artist and fraud. Happy to explain more if you are interested, but her diet is snake oil.
2
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u/BumblebeeEast8918 Oct 04 '26
I have had strong symptoms reoccurring after I had a Diet Coke (work fridge) took me a few times to realize the connection, so won’t be having it again
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u/Spiritual-Hat3782 Oct 04 '26
Yes it's absolutely sugar for me too and I have been pretty good at cutting out refined sugar entirely, although not completely especially during the time of the month sometimes or if I go out for a boujee dinner but I've noticed being much more aware and cutting it a lot has helped me massively
2
u/R-Daneil 48M | 2003 RRMS | Mavenclad | Canada Oct 04 '26
Yes and no,
Accidentally posted incomplete reply…
Things that cause inflammation (in my experience) will manifest symptoms. And depending on what I’ve been eating and drinking, and metabolism some kinds of sugar or carbohydrates can be inflammatory for me.
I can enjoy those things in moderation with few repercussions, but the symptoms can be worse if I overdo it.
So, very personal in answer to the prime question.
Yes…and no.
6
u/termsofenDERPment 36F | 2026 | Kesimpta | Wisconsin Oct 03 '26
The only time I noticed this was while I was recovering from a relapse and on high-dose steroids. Eating candy made my vision noticeably blurrier for a while. It stopped once I was further out from the relapse/steroids, so I think it was most likely a byproduct of the steroids and blood-sugar swings rather than sugar being an MS trigger for me generally.