Multiple Sclerosis

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  • The Latest on CCSVI Research and MS

    Multiple Sclerosis Blog
    admin
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:08 pm
    Today marks the three-quarters mark in the expedited two-year research initiative funded by the National MS Society (USA) and the MS Society of Canada and looking at possible correlation between multiple sclerosis and CCSVI (chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency). As promised, the societies are releasing information on the seven research sites every six months, and I thought today’s information worth commenting on. For those who haven’t been following the CCSVI conversation in these pages, there is a boisterous bundle of conversations on the topic in our archives. While the studies…

  • New Standard For Vitamin D Testing To Ensure Accurate Test Results

    Multiple Sclerosis News From Medical News Today
    27 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am
    At a time of increasing concern about low vitamin D levels in the world's population and increased use of blood tests for the vitamin, scientists are reporting development of a much-needed reference material to assure that measurements of vitamin D levels are accurate. The report appears in ACS' journal Analytical Chemistry...

  • Low vitamin D levels linked to depression, psychiatrists report

    ScienceDaily: Multiple Sclerosis News
    5 Jan 2012 | 12:16 pm
    Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to depression, according to psychiatrists.

  • What’s In Our Food?

    The Self-Healing Coach
    Karen
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:29 am
    This is a disturbing but essential piece of education by Robyn O’Brien at TedX Austin (2011) for anyone living in the United States and especially those with a chronic illness. Please watch it.

  • Neurologists in Short Supply for MS community

    I'm an MS Activist
    19 Jan 2012 | 9:46 am
    This month, the President of the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National MS Society and the CEO of the American Academy of Neurology co-authored a letter to the editor to bring attention to the neurologist shortage we have in this country. This is a significant issue that needs to be addressed given that that one out of six people in the United States — nearly 52 million— has a neurological disorder.  In addition, a study done by ABT Associates found that 72.2% of patients saw a neurologist for usual care of MS. There is also cause for alarm in the military – last March the United…
 
 
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    MSRC Latest MS News

  • Muscling in on MS

    27 Jan 2012 | 4:53 am
    Muscle endurance tests can detect abnormalities in the early stages of multiple sclerosis, Tel Aviv University researchers sayMultiple sclerosis (MS), a neurodegenerative disease, causes periodic attacks of neurologic symptoms such as limb weakness and mobility defects. And while MS patients' walking abilities and muscle strength are examined on a regular basis, doctors have yet to determine when the lower limb muscles begin to deteriorate. That's important because with earlier identification of mobility problems, doctors would be able to implement early intervention programs that could make…

  • New standard for vitamin D testing to ensure accurate test results

    27 Jan 2012 | 2:03 am
    At a time of increasing concern about low vitamin D levels in the world's population and increased use of blood tests for the vitamin, scientists are reporting development of a much-needed reference material to assure that measurements of vitamin D levels are accurate. The report appears in ACS' journal Analytical Chemistry. Karen Phinney and colleagues explain that medical research suggests vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency may be even more common than previously thought and a risk factor for more than just bone diseases. An estimated 50-75 percent of people in the U.S. may not have…

  • ASCEND study to evaluate the effectiveness of Tysabri in secondary progressive MS

    26 Jan 2012 | 7:51 am
    Biogen Idec today announced a global Phase 3b study, ASCEND, that is being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Tysabri as a treatment for secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, approximately half of all people initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) - the most common form of multiple sclerosis (MS) - will transition to SPMS within 19 years.Patients with RRMS typically experience unpredictable relapses; the time between relapses is characterised by full or partial recovery and a lack of…

  • Experts review vitamin D advice

    25 Jan 2012 | 5:24 am
    The chief medical officer for England, Dame Sally Davies, is to contact medical staff about concerns young children and some adults are not getting enough vitamin D.Government guidelines recommend some groups, including the under-fives, should take a daily supplement.However, recent research found that many parents and health professionals were unaware of the advice. There has been an increase in childhood rickets over the past 15 years.... [Read More]

  • EC approval for Rebif use extension for early Multiple Sclerosis

    25 Jan 2012 | 3:07 am
    Merck KGaA said the European Commission or EC has approved extension of the indication of Rebif, a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis or MS. This EC approval, based on REFLEX study results, is for the use of Rebif 44 micrograms three times weekly in patients who have experienced a single demyelinating event, an early sign of the disease, and who are at high risk of converting to MS.... [Read More]
 
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    multiple sclerosis

  • Biogen CEO Scangos aims to patch weak points in pipeline

    Ryan McBride
    12 Jan 2012 | 8:31 am
    After two years of sweeping change at Biogen Idec ($BIIB), CEO George Scangos (photo) and his team have some work to do on plugging some of the holes in the company's early-stage pipeline, from which many programs were cut during the company's exit from oncology and cardiovascular drug research. "We didn't want to fund projects that were unlikely to generate value," Scangos told Dow Jones Newswires' Peter Loftus at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. There were 17 programs axed from the company's pipeline in 2010 and 2011, leaving the company with a wealth of…

  • Pfizer R&D pact could inject $217M into Karo Bio

    Ryan McBride
    27 Dec 2011 | 8:55 am
    Swedish biotech Karo Bio's ($KARO) shares spiked after the company revealed a new research and development deal focused on autoimmune diseases with U.S. drug giant Pfizer ($PFE). Karo, which has been planning cutbacks and a spin-off, could reap as much as $217 million in upfront and milestone fees, in addition to royalties, from Pfizer, the company announced Dec. 24. Karo's shares surged 80% after the announcement, the biggest jump since the stock hit the public market in 1998, Bloomberg reported. The upbeat news came amid upheaval at the Huddinge, Sweden-based company, which…

  • Analysts frown as key Sanofi MS drug fails to beat rival

    John Carroll
    20 Dec 2011 | 11:02 am
    One of Sanofi's ($SNY) top drug prospects has failed to beat a rival treatment in a head-to-head study, signaling fresh clinical trouble for a Big Pharma company that had vowed to reinvent the development process. Investigators reported that Aubagio (teriflunomide), an oral MS therapy, was no more effective than Merck KGaA's older injectable Rebif. For analysts, the news indicated that even if Aubagio goes on to an approval, Sanofi will find itself facing a bevy of competitors with possibly better claims to efficacy and safety. Biogen Idec ($BIIB) has been grabbing headlines with its data on…

  • Sanofi boasts superior relapse-free rate for Lemtrada in MS study

    John Carroll
    24 Oct 2011 | 5:17 am
    Sanofi ($SNY)and Genzyme ($GENZ) never could agree on peak sales estimates on Lemtrada, the Boston biotech's late-stage oral therapy for MS, when the two negotiated over buyout terms. Over the weekend, however, the spotlight of the investigative team was squarely on the positive side as new late-stage data underscored the treatment's superiority over an aging standard. After two years 78% of patients taking Lemtrada remained relapse-free, a mark hit by a relatively low 59% of the patients in the arm receiving the injectable Rebif. Genzyme investigators of course ultimately had to settle…

  • Biogen's potential blockbuster MS pill impresses with full data release

    Ryan McBride
    21 Oct 2011 | 6:50 am
    Biogen Idec ($BIIB) kept excitement alive for its blockbuster hopeful BG-12 this morning with a full set of data from its first pivotal trial on the oral multiple sclerosis drug. The Weston, MA-based biotech powerhouse released the full data on the DEFINE trial this morning at a meeting in Europe after generating positive buzz on the program with initial data revealed in April. While Biogen watchers await data expected later this year from the second of the two pivotal trials, dubbed CONFIRM, the company gave no reason to think that those results won't continue to make the program shine. The…
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    About.com Multiple Sclerosis

  • Cats and Multiple Sclerosis

    18 Jan 2012 | 3:43 am
    I feel a little guilty. I have posted a couple of times about dogs and how they can be wonderful for people with MS, both as service animals and as loving companions. However, I realize that many of you have cats that make your life a little more wonderful....Read Full Post

  • Vegetarians with MS May Need Vitamin B12

    9 Jan 2012 | 12:27 pm
    In my latest post, Are You a Vegetarian with Multiple Sclerosis?, I discussed wanting to eat less meat overall, but being restricted by the guidelines of the Best Bet Diet. Writing this post reminded me that vegetarians, especially vegans, often need to take supplements of vitamin B12. Studies have shown that people with MS have a higher rate of vitamin B12 deficiency than the general population, probably due to a problem with binding and transport of this vitamin....Read Full Post

  • Are You a Vegetarian with Multiple Sclerosis?

    9 Jan 2012 | 12:05 pm
    I have increasingly cut back on the amount of meat that I eat. This is for several reasons, but mostly because I prefer to cook vegetarian meals. I would really prefer to become a vegan, as I just gravitate towards that type of food....Read Full Post

  • Check Out MS Atrium

    31 Dec 2011 | 5:08 pm
    I think, with very few exceptions, those of us living with multiple sclerosis can always benefit from learning more about our disease. Whenever I have thought that I am pretty knowledgeable about MS and that my learning is done for awhile, I have been humbled by a piece of new information that I have stumbled upon that has made me realize that the amount that I understand is but a tiny percentage of the gigantic body of knowledge that exists about MS. Furthermore, information about MS is a moving target - there are few absolute "knowns" about this disease....Read Full Post

  • Tips to "Suffer" Less with Multiple Sclerosis

    31 Dec 2011 | 7:27 am
    This is not an article about a new medication on the market or urging you to try hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Although I wish I had a magic pill or treatment that could fix some of your symptoms, I don't have that kind of answer that will help everybody....Read Full Post
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    Multiple Sclerosis Blog

  • The Latest on CCSVI Research and MS

    admin
    27 Jan 2012 | 4:08 pm
    Today marks the three-quarters mark in the expedited two-year research initiative funded by the National MS Society (USA) and the MS Society of Canada and looking at possible correlation between multiple sclerosis and CCSVI (chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency). As promised, the societies are releasing information on the seven research sites every six months, and I thought today’s information worth commenting on. For those who haven’t been following the CCSVI conversation in these pages, there is a boisterous bundle of conversations on the topic in our archives. While the studies…

  • I’m in a Drug Study…Sorta

    admin
    23 Jan 2012 | 1:52 pm
    I know how sensitive I am about where/how I get my information about multiple sclerosis. From your comments over the years, I know you are too. Thus, this blog is intended not only as an interesting topic of conversation, but also full disclosure. I have been asked by the primary investigator of a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to act as a patient advocate in the protocol phase of a phase II study looking at neuro-protection in progressive MS. While this study is of a medication (a medication I don’t remember the name of and, quite frankly, don’t even care that…

  • Coping With MS: Is ‘It Could Be Worse’ Good Enough?

    admin
    20 Jan 2012 | 4:23 pm
    Note: There is no judgment intended in this post. If “it could be worse” works for you for now, good on you! I do, however, believe that it’s time to address this method of coping. TLG Whenever I pose a multiple sclerosis question — be it about symptoms, dealing with a bad day, or any number of probes I’ve sent out over the years — I can always count on at least one reply of, “It could be worse.” I have to wonder if that appropriately honors ourselves and others. “It could be worse” seems like a pretty logical place to begin coping with a less than optimal situation…

  • When MS Gets in Your Head

    admin
    18 Jan 2012 | 2:17 pm
    Athletes know the consequences of letting an opponent “in your head” — letting an adversary’s actions, attitude, or banter alter one’s personal game plan. How often do we let multiple sclerosis get in our head? “If I do X, than they’ll do Y and then I’ll have to go to Z; and I didn’t want to go to Z. . .but what if they don’t do Y?” It’s obvious how this might make a linebacker or cyclist a decisive few tenths of a second too slow to react when called upon. Why would I bring it up in the context of MS when we usually measure our reaction time in minutes rather than…

  • MS Chat With Trevis, Finale

    admin
    13 Jan 2012 | 3:26 pm
    As conclusion to what was going to be a “holiday week” conversation, I’ll spend this post on the one question which was asked more than any other. We have questions we didn’t get to, but those will make for excellent topics for blogs in the coming weeks and months. ”So Trevis, what’s this whole moving to Ireland” thing about?” was the gist of many a query. First, an answer to a common sub-interrogative in those questions. Yes, I will still be blogging about Life With MS for Everyday Health. What I write about my life with multiple sclerosis from Seattle is relevant to…
 
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    Judi B's blog

  • keeping on weight

    Judi B
    13 Jan 2012 | 4:12 pm
    Not all of us have this issue but losing weight too rapidly on the diet an be a real problem for some of us in the beginning. My suggestions are: Eat 3 full meals plus 2 hearty snacks every day. Rotate and eat starchy vegetables- potatoes, sweet potatoes, manioc, and any of the large variety of winter squashes including pumpkins. Discover which non-gluten grains are OK for you-and try to vary them often. This includes quinoa, millet, amaranth, rices, wild rice (not actually a rice), buckwheat, and then explore how oatmeal and corn work for you. Some people cannot eat any of these two, some…

  • Happy Healthy New Year

    Judi B
    31 Dec 2011 | 8:29 am
    We wish you all around the world a very happy new year. For those of you who make new year resolutions, resolve to give yourself the gift of health this year through diet, rest and nourishment for both body and soul.

  • vitamin D in MS news again

    Judi B
    8 Dec 2011 | 11:19 am
    New research on vitamin D suggests "just one copy of the mutated CYP27B1 gene affects a key enzyme which leads people with it to have lower levels of vitamin D". This is a quote from today's BBC news. A test for carriers of this mutated gene was carried out on 3,000 sets of parents without MS who have children with MS. This research showed that "the likelihood of this gene's transmission being unconnected to the MS is billions to one against, say the researcher". Here is further proof that vitamin D is important as a supplement for those of us with MS. You can take up to 5000IU's per day and…

  • Calling all Positive MS stories

    Judi B
    3 Dec 2011 | 3:41 pm
    I received this in an email and wondered if any of you would like to participate by submitting your written story. Good luck to any and all who do! From: liz pearl Date: November 28, 2011 5:08:30 PM PST To: Subject: New MS publication--Call for Submissions RE: New MS Publication—Call for Submissions A collection of stories written by individuals living with MS.> Please find the submission guidelines attached. Thank you, Liz Pearl, M.Ed. Therapist / Editor PK Press liz_pearl@sympatico.ca MS?My Story A Collection of MS Voices Edited by Liz Pearl PK Press MS—My Story is a collection of…

  • Back to Basics

    Judi B
    25 Nov 2011 | 11:30 am
    Thanksgiving is over in the US but the Christmas season holidays are right around the corner. More food temptations lie in our path- office parties, family gatherings, post event treats, all the way through celebrations for the New Year. What to do? if you have eaten in ways that are not on the diet- do not despair. Perhaps you have noticed you had symptoms return that you thought were gone for good. If so, then going off the diet temporarily is not a disaster but a gift to remind you that feeling healthy is a choice you always have before you. By choosing foods that heal and avoiding those…
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    I'm an MS Activist

  • Neurologists in Short Supply for MS community

    19 Jan 2012 | 9:46 am
    This month, the President of the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National MS Society and the CEO of the American Academy of Neurology co-authored a letter to the editor to bring attention to the neurologist shortage we have in this country. This is a significant issue that needs to be addressed given that that one out of six people in the United States — nearly 52 million— has a neurological disorder.  In addition, a study done by ABT Associates found that 72.2% of patients saw a neurologist for usual care of MS. There is also cause for alarm in the military – last March the United…

  • New York Times Highlights Progress in MS Therapies

    10 Jan 2012 | 4:56 pm
    Last week, The New York Times ran a story in its Science section on the impressive development of new therapies that have given those living with MS hope and a better quality of life. Today, thanks to research, there are eight FDA-approved disease-modifying drugs that reduce relapses and slow the progression of MS, as well as treatments approved to manage symptoms related to MS.  The Society’s Chief Research Officer Dr. Timothy Coetzee is quoted in the article stating that “We have a disease that’s gone from having no treatments 20 years ago to having multiple treatment options.

  • Funding Victories and Two-Month Extension of Important Medicare Policies

    28 Dec 2011 | 10:17 am
    As the calendar year draws to a close, the Society is pleased that Congress was able to pass a short-term package that ensures that physicians treating Medicare patients will not face a steep cut in reimbursement rates, as well as extends an exceptions process for Medicare beneficiaries to ensure that they can continue receiving outpatient physical, speech and occupational therapy services. A longer term solution is needed though--past this package's February 29, 2012 deadline--to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries continue to have access to health and therapy services well into the year.

  • Happy Holidays and Safe Travels

    23 Dec 2011 | 10:28 am
    As the holidays approach, the National MS Society’s Public Policy Office wishes to thank our more than 64,000 network of MS activists around the country who made phone calls, sent emails, attended town meetings, joined our MS Activist blog and followed us on our @MSActivist twitter account. It’s through our collective, multi-faceted effort that we have been able to continue making progress and while we know new battles lie ahead, the Public Policy Office wants to share its appreciation for the terrific efforts of 2011. We look forward to engaging together again in 2012! For anyone…

  • Another Step Forward for the MS Community – Addition of Advanced MS to Compassionate Allowances Listing Will Help Speed Disability Applications

    19 Dec 2011 | 4:08 pm
    Good News! Due to the hard work of MS Activists over a series of months, the Society recently learned that it has been successful in working alongside the Social Security Administration (SSA) to add aggressive and advanced forms of MS to the “Compassionate Allowance” listing. Society staff and volunteers have been in conversations with SSA to better understand the Compassionate Allowance process and blog readers may remember that two MS activists—Dr. John Booss and Yvonne Brown--testified at a March 2011 Social Security hearing requesting that MS be added. So what does this victory mean…
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    Carole's MS blog

  • Hello 2012 - Good Riddance 2011

    4 Jan 2012 | 9:52 am
    Decided to  use my morning coffee break to update my blog.I really meant o do a year end wrap up a couple of weeks ago, but there was just so much going on over the holidays Some of it good, some of it really awful.2011 was the usual roller coaster ride. The year ended on a positive note. My new "duty to accommodate" contract at work is good for a year. I only have to be in the office 10% of my time; barring any unforeseen need  to be there, like a meeting or seminar. Thank God ( and I really do mean it when I say that) .When I received the news I broke down…

  • Scotland Calls for Mandatory Vitamin D

    23 Dec 2011 | 11:50 pm
    Here's an article from The Guardian about the link between a lack of  vitamin D and MS. In Scotland, which has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, they are calling for mandatory doses of  vitamin D.I don't know if vitamin D helps or not, but I do take at least 1000 units per day. There certainly seems to be a valid link between lack of vitamin D and MS. Why is it that it is an illness found mainly in countries with little sun in winter and nearly unknown in countries  that  get the most daylight hours?

  • Niagara Lights

    14 Dec 2011 | 5:09 pm
    Last weekend I was at Niagara Falls for the "Light Up the World" event. The 70th anniversary of Amnesty International.  Have to say that it was a disappointment. Just a hand full of people attended They even arranged to have the Falls lit up yellow for the event. So much for social networks being this great unifying force. I'm not on Facebook I found out about it from a friend's email ( so old school of me) but supposedly it was well promoted  there. I maintain that instead of reaching out to people; social networking…

  • Montreal Massacre

    6 Dec 2011 | 2:18 pm
    Today women commemorate the murder of 14 women  in Canada which happened 22 years ago.   Sadly known as the Montreal Massacre, the lone gunmen ranted about how "feminism" was responsible for all his problems.

  • Santa Claus Parade

    20 Nov 2011 | 11:07 am
    http://www.thesantaclausparade.ca/
 
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    Carnival of MS Bloggers

  • Carnival of MS Bloggers #106

    19 Jan 2012 | 9:49 pm
    Welcome to the Carnival of MS Bloggers, a bi-weekly compendium of thoughts and experiences shared by those living with multiple sclerosis.Gratitude, Anger, Nostalgia, Freedom, BalanceA Small Stone: Jan 13, 2012by Laura of Shine the DivineTake off your shoes from your feet, the place your are standing upon is holy.(Exodus 3:5)I look down at my two seemingly ordinary feet, veined with time standing firmly on my favorite yoga mat, the sunshine yellow one that has traveled many miles in the past to retreats and teacher trainings, to classes and workshops where I too have had the privilege of…

  • Carnival of MS Bloggers #105

    5 Jan 2012 | 1:04 pm
    Welcome to the Carnival of MS Bloggers, a bi-weekly compendium of thoughts and experiences shared by those living with multiple sclerosis.Strength, Hope, and Forgiveness in the New YearForgiveness and Letting Goby Kate Wolfe-Jenson of Dancing with MonstersWhether it's forgiving myself or someone else, I've discovered it's a practice.I love practice. Have I mentioned that before? Forgiveness is built into practice.I plan to do something. (Intention)I make an effort to do it. (Action)It doesn't go the way I think it "should" go. (Judgment)I let go of my ideas about what should have happened.

  • Carnival of MS Bloggers #104

    22 Dec 2011 | 1:17 pm
    Welcome to the Carnival of MS Bloggers, a bi-weekly compendium of thoughts and experiences shared by those living with multiple sclerosis.Celebrating FOUR years of the Carnival of MS Bloggers! This community began as an attempt to connect the individuals online who were talking about multiple sclerosis on their personal blogs.  As a health policy blogger, I had witnessed the power of the weekly carnival to connect persons in the health policy community as well as the medical blogging community.  I wanted to do the same for patients and caregivers in the MS community who were talking…

  • Carnival of MS Bloggers #103

    8 Dec 2011 | 10:50 am
    Welcome to the Carnival of MS Bloggers, a bi-weekly compendium of thoughts and experiences shared by those living with multiple sclerosis.Mothers, Love MS, Job AccommodationsClingingby LauraX of Shine the DivineEven life forms we consider to be simple are uniquely rich in their complexity. They cannot survive alone, but must cling to something else for nurturance. Solitude is precious, so too is connection. Finding a balance between the reality of inter-being and our cyclic desire for separation is a dance we are ever engaged in.I am watching this in the relationships between my two teenage…

  • Carnival of MS Bloggers #102

    24 Nov 2011 | 10:02 am
    Welcome to the Carnival of MS Bloggers, a bi-weekly compendium of thoughts and experiences shared by those living with multiple sclerosis.Thanksgiving, Gratitude, and FaithReflecting on Abundant Beautyby LauraX of Shine the DivineIt has been a week of gray skies, and gray emotions. Looking back and reflecting on these photos from October, the bright blue sky, reds, golds, greens and browns lifts my spirits. I'm so grateful to live in a place abundant in beauty.Loved Onesby Judy of Peace Be With YouA loved one’s presenceprovides prized companionshipand valued support.Buoyed by precious…
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    Living! with MS

  • New Year, New Dreams

    13 Jan 2012 | 2:56 pm
    I usually think about a new year's resolution-- sometimes I keep it, sometimes I break it... This year I did not so much make a resolution, as set the intention to follow my dreams and opportunities wherever they might lead. I have let MS, the shoulds and musts dictate far too much of my life for too long but in the last year or so I have really been trying to follow my dreams and to enjoy life as much as possible. I think it is paying off in health and happiness. As I move into the year, I don't want to let anything hold me back. I want to wait on recording my latest ambitions, but I do have…

  • Guest Post by Melanie Bowen

    6 Jan 2012 | 5:47 am
    Setting Goals and Improving Health An excellent quality of life is an important step of improving health and beating any type of sickness. Whether the prognosis is a rare cancer like mesothelioma or a long-term chronic disease like diabetes, taking time to set goals and write down accomplishments can result in benefits to any patient. Quality of life is not about being a patient; rather, it is about setting goals, taking steps to achieve the goals and then writing down the accomplishments.Helping Health:The National Cancer Institute points out that setting short term and long term goals can…

  • The latest

    11 Nov 2011 | 10:59 am
    Another day off-- thank goodness. I have been super-busy with work and preparing for my next aerial show this weekend.I went and saw my neurologist last week and she said I was doing "great" and that I don't need to see her again until next year. I also don't need to get another MRI until June so things on the health front are still looking up.I continue to balance my busy schedule with plenty of rest and a prayer I don't catch the latest bug :) Honestly, some days I feel better than others. I still tire easily, but I can feel my stamina building. All my aerial training is making me…

  • Living Fiercely

    23 Oct 2011 | 10:00 am
    I still vividly remember a time during the first year after I was diagnosed where life was colorless-- all just a bunch of "what ifs" and struggle to survive. I also remember talking one day with my then husband, and realizing that I no longer had any real dreams or desires. Everything I did was somehow based in fear. I worked so I could pay my bills. I rested so I could be well enough to work, and I fought tooth and nail just to keep what I had--continually wondering if it was even worth the cost to my physical and mental health. He asked me about my bucket list and I was painfully aware…

  • Balancing Act

    28 Aug 2011 | 7:05 am
    The school year has started with a bang (I'm a teacher) and this is definitely busy season. Right now at 6:00 am on a Sunday, I'm stealing a guilty minute away from the work to right a quick update. This time of year is always a health challenge. I have yet to get through it without a relapse but this year, so far, so good (knock on wood). As always, my secret weapon is a balance of rest and work. Sleep is my trusty side-kick-- we try to spend 10-14 quality hours together every day. Sleep used to be something I squeezed in around all the activity, now I squeeze the activity in around all the…
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    Maggsbunny

  • The funny side of it.

    Maggie
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:08 am
    When our laptops were stolen, we lost quite a considerable amount of business data. The sideline business that we have for the golf-GPS, that is. So M contacted the head of the company in Norway and told him that our two laptops had been stolen, along with the correspondance of the past 4 years. His wording was somewhat ambiguous, however. The email went something like this (give or take the business talk): Hi T My wife and my laptops were stolen today   Fortunately, my iPad was with me, so that didn’t get taken. And luckily the thief didn’t take my SPS3 ……

  • The Break-in…

    Maggie
    26 Jan 2012 | 1:13 am
    Saturday the 16th of January was fun… up until 2pm, that is. M & I had attended our nephew and Godson’s 6th birthday party, which was fun. We came back home briefly, to let the dogs out, as they had been in the house. Michael even paused briefly to unplug his laptop’s charging cable – an act which was to prove crucial later, while trying to piece together what had happened. Then we went to join his parents for a quick eat-out for lunch. It took us less than an hour, and then we were back home. Everything was as we had left it, when we let ourselves in. The dogs,…

  • Rather a good excuse for not blogging.

    Maggie
    24 Jan 2012 | 4:57 am
    That would be when someone actually steals your laptop from your house. When you were only gone for 55 minutes to go and grab a bite to eat. And you feel pretty violated and aggrieved, even though you replaced said laptop after only one day, so that in your shell-shocked state you have no wish to blog. Or facebook. All personal data vanished into thin air It serves me right. I have said it often and I have said it loud: My laptop is my very favourite material possession.Obviously, the universe does not appreciate such blatant favouritsm. I mean, how must my other appliances feel? Like their…

  • Glycerine soap

    Maggie
    9 Jan 2012 | 9:44 am
    Michael and I have used Orchard’s Apple scented soap for years  – it is the only one I can tolerate, with my heightened sensitivity to any artificial fragrance or perfume in a product. Even the other Orchard soaps: Mango, Lemon, whatever-else-they-have, I can’t bear the smell on my skin, or on Michael’s for that matter. And as I do sleep next to the man, that becomes quite problematic The other day I bought myself a Dove moisturising bar, and Michael asked me pointedly why I don’t just take the R10 it cost and flush it straight down the toilet. How well he knows…

  • The festive season is so over…

    Maggie
    8 Jan 2012 | 2:58 pm
    I figured I had better start blogging again tonight. I plan these marathon blog-posts in my head during the day, but then it starts getting late and I think, “Well, I definitely don’t have time to do that involved and lengthy post, and upload all the photo’s for it, etc”. And instead of doing a quick post, maybe with a little tidbit from my day, I just don’t do it at all. Not cool I need to get over this procrastinating habit so that I can become a regular and consistent blogger once again. Anyway, with that out of the way, let me do a quick recap of my birthday.
 
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    Brass and Ivory: Life with MS & RA

  • National MS Society Provides 18-Month Update on Society-sponsored CCSVI Research

    27 Jan 2012 | 3:47 pm
    As CCSVI Research progress is of interest to many MS patients in our online community, I wanted to make sure that the following information was made available quickly.  Here is an update provided by the National MS Society of the seven research projects which received grants almost two years ago.  It is interesting to note that the preliminary results of these studies combined reveal how variable "CCSVI testing results can be depending on a host of outside issues such as water intake,  or whether the individual being tested is breathing in or breathing out.  These are all…

  • Forgotten MS?

    22 Jan 2012 | 10:06 am
    What can make you forget about MS, at least for a short bit?  Planning a wedding, of course! Although we got engaged in October, Rob and I didn’t rush to make definite plans for the wedding.  First things first, we needed to choose a date.  Well, actually, we needed to decide upon a time of year.  I wanted to avoid the heat and humidity of summer and this spring was just too soon.  Only one family member lives in my area, so I wanted to pick a time when my immediate family could attend.  So those were the first priorities.  Just before Christmas, we set…

  • Carnival of MS Bloggers #106

    19 Jan 2012 | 9:50 pm
    Welcome to the Carnival of MS Bloggers, a bi-weekly compendium of thoughts and experiences shared by those living with multiple sclerosis. Gratitude, Anger, Nostalgia, Freedom, Balance A Small Stone: Jan 13, 2012by Laura of Shine the Divine Take off your shoes from your feet, the place your are standing upon is holy.(Exodus 3:5) I look down at my two seemingly ordinary feet, veined with time standing firmly on my favorite yoga mat, the sunshine yellow one that has traveled many miles in the past to retreats and teacher trainings, to classes and workshops where I too have had the privilege of…

  • Vitamin D and Hypercalcemia

    15 Jan 2012 | 9:58 am
    When I was initially tested for a suspected vitamin D deficiency, my serum level was 7.8 ng/mL which is practically non-existent!  I was having a lot of pain, including very tender bones and achy muscles.  In fact, my bones almost felt “squishy” when squeezed.  Vitamin D, in conjunction with Calcium, is necessary to maintain bone density.  It took two years, close monitoring, and certain experimentation to find the amount of supplementation I needed to raise my serum levels from 7.8 ng/mL to 61 ng/mL.  The amount of supplementation you might need to take varies…

  • Welcome MS Bloggers to the Community

    13 Jan 2012 | 4:23 pm
    Please welcome these new MS bloggers to the community. Some have been blogging for months, but their blogs were new to me. I'm so glad that they've introduced themselves. Hope you will introduced yourself to them in turn. Thanks! distracted and numb yet steady and optimistic - Kate   My MS Journey - Karen MS and More - Angie Living Large with MS - Laughter, Lightness, and Multiple Sclerosis - Yvonne Ignore this: N8A93V8GW9AY
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    Navigating the Journey of MS

  • My Birthday

    19 Jan 2012 | 10:44 am
    Last Saturday was my birthday. I had a great day. No I'm not going to say how old ! It's a girl thing.Mark, my hubby, was so good to me.  I really didnt need anything. All I really wanted was to have a quiet dinner with him and the dogs. He picked up chinese takeout. Yes, we live in a town where Chinese food does not deliver. It was very good but so much leftover we ate it Sunday also.We watched football games and I got to open gifts. Yippee..Mark bought me Gold pearls. I drooled over them in Hawaii and for those of you who dont know me wellI LOVE pearls. Have them in many colors and…

  • my drug of choice

    12 Jan 2012 | 10:36 am
    Two weeks go I started Gilenya and I have to say I am thrilled with the results. There are so many people out there that think drug companies are all ripping us off all the time but I have to say I am so overwhelmed with the way I have been treated by Novartis. There employees went out their way to assist me when my insurance company kept throwing curve balls at us at the very last moment. I just called Novartis to tell them about my MS Navigator that went above and beyond her job.She took the bull by the horns and made it happen.She even had back up plans incase the insurance…

  • Hmmm new years resolutions ?

    5 Jan 2012 | 10:12 am
    I'm not much on the New Year's Resolutions..I, like most people, could probably eat better, exercise more and get more sleep.However, there are a few things I'd like to see come back to society. KINDNESS..I know in a recent post I felt used giving someone money. I know I was used and I dont expect to eversee the money again but I really have to figure out who my friends are and my "friends" when they need something. With that said, I am still glad I did it because it was the right thing to do.What happened to a random act of kindness...I would have felt better giving that to a total stranger…

  • volcano eruption

    4 Jan 2012 | 3:04 pm
    Our first port was Hilo. We usually dont do the excursions offered thru the cruise line but we werent thrilled renting a car and trying to vensure out by ourselves.To my delight there were 3 other people with disabilities on the bus trip and they preboarded us ( without having to beg and ask) and sat us up front. The bus excursion consisted of a tour of  Muna Lau macademia nut factory. OMG you could have left me there all day and I would have been a happy camper. I love macademia nuts. But the main attraction was the volcano. Our bus driver was hilarious. Telling lots of stories, most of…

  • Was I used ?

    31 Dec 2011 | 10:21 am
    Last week I got a phone call from a woman I know from my old support group. We have hardly talked in years. No without trying on my end. She is always depressed. A gigantic downer to be around. All she does is complain. She called about 8:15 pm and I was exhausted. Our TV shows the phone number of the person calling and although I recognized it I didnt. I thought it was my close girlfrends cell. Her friend had just died and I knew she would be having a difficult time through the holidays.I picked up the phone and the complaining began. I had to ask who it was..No she never asked how…
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    Word Salads or the Demyelination of Me

  • "How are you", the Medicaid caseworker asks...

    Have Myelin?
    27 Jan 2012 | 3:57 pm
    ...via email.  Alex met with my caseworker who works for Medicaid this morning.  I decided to ask get him to ask her how to answer the question.  Safe government answers make life easier.  If you are wondering many caseworkers I have, the answer is two and a half. Okay three... really.  Alex isn't a caseworker but he legally has what I call pow-wah. He's my personal care attendant. He can cause a lot of trouble for me ...like try to put me in a nursing home. If he even tried, OOOooo, I'd take his remote…

  • I hate Winnie the Pooh

    Have Myelin?
    26 Jan 2012 | 2:39 pm
    "I can't find my car keys in the morning. Trying to get out of my house is a nightmare. Where's my wallet? Where are my keys? I have to go find a missing person."  Attributed to Anthony LaPaglia, the actor who played Jack Malone on "Without a Trace"The simple black wallet is Nicole's. The weird wallet is my new one. I've been using Nicole's wallet since she died. The weird wallet was on sale and it looks more like "me".  Without a thought, I bought it. It was a bargain.  80% off woohoo.Alex is driving. I'm moving stuff from Nicole's black wallet to…

  • Thank you Rhapsody

    Have Myelin?
    24 Jan 2012 | 9:53 am
     (go check out her delightful blog!) blessed me with an award. The condition of accepting this award is to first: link back to the presenter    Rhapsody Phoenixshare 7 things about yourself  I am comfortable with myself and if you aren't comfortable with who I am as a person... I am old enough not to care, lol. I love genuine Southern cooking. Not Paula Deen's stuff. Genuine Cajun is okay but it's not Southern-stylin'. Southern cooking is Southern cooking, peeps. Collard greens, turnip greens, black-eyed peas, purple hull peas... nobody in Colorado…

  • Stop talking about them, mom!!!

    Have Myelin?
    20 Jan 2012 | 3:26 pm
    This morning I went to my grief support group. Since we were doing laundry next door we were a little early. I turned the lights on and prepared the room. In a few minutes I saw a very frail looking woman peer in the door. I immediately knew she had lost a child. When a child dies, the mom gets implanted with a dimmer in her eyes. They're never quite as bright and sparkly. That's the best way I can explain it. I can spot moms who have lost children in stores, I swear. But this mom was very different. "Are you Jean XYZ the grief counselor?" she asks."No, I'm Sherry, I'm just playing…

  • Youtubing with a dog

    Have Myelin?
    19 Jan 2012 | 2:19 pm
    Gini my daschie really wanted in on my youtube video. It would have been okay except I was talking about something serious. Like what to say if your deaf friend loses a child... and she was all over me like gravy on mashed potatoes. She was being cute but I was on topic. Re-record.More thinking, more signing.This time, the dog started barking because the squirrel came up to the door. I wondered if the "special effects" would bother deaf peeps...but....I don't know...Re-record.More signing.  (did I say the same thing, I think I did)This time, the dog snorts because she wants a treat.
 
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    MS Maze

  • Gates Foundation Pledges $750 Million to Global Fund (infographic)

    Ann Pietrangelo
    26 Jan 2012 | 10:21 am
    The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced it is committing $750 million to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Read it: Gates Foundation Pledges $750 Million to Global Fund (infographic)

  • Why did you write “No More Secs?”

    Ann Pietrangelo
    25 Jan 2012 | 9:53 am
    Writing a memoir invites the question, “Why did you write it?” It’s a fair question. A comment left on the “No More Secs” Facebook page captured the spirit of the book perfectly. “What a nice book. I laughed, I cried, I connected to you in a way I’ve connected with no one else. It was so nice to know I’m not alone.” “It was so nice to know I’m not alone.” That’s why I wrote it and I’m forever grateful to the readers who’ve taken the time to let me know that it was worth the effort.

  • 5 New Year’s Resolutions to Help Prevent Diabetes

    Ann Pietrangelo
    24 Jan 2012 | 3:55 pm
    The number of people living with diabetes may rise from 366 million in 2011 to 552 million by 2030. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) says that’s about ten million new cases per year around the world. The IDF also estimates that as many as 183 million people don’t even know they have diabetes. Other shocking figures reveal: * The US has the highest number of people with diabetes, followed by Mexico, Canada, and Haiti. * The US has one of the highest number of deaths due to diabetes of any country in the world. Read it: 5 New Year’s Resolutions to Help Prevent…

  • Customers Sure Are Inconvenient

    Ann Pietrangelo
    23 Jan 2012 | 3:26 pm
    Then: I opened a new bank account, small though it was. They smiled and thanked me as though I just deposited a million dollars, then handed me a colorful set of coffee mugs to thank me for my business. I looked forward to coming in each week, speaking with the friendly tellers, and watching the interest grow. Now: I bank without ever seeing a human. Interest? It’s almost a joke. Instead, there are all kinds of fees to worry about. “Convenience” fees they call them. It’s a relatively new phenomenon in which customers fork over money for the convenience of forking over money. It’s…

  • Headphone-wearing Pedestrians at Risk

    Ann Pietrangelo
    20 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am
    Injuries to pedestrians wearing headphones have more than tripled in six years, say researchers from the University of Maryland. Headphone-wearing pedestrians often cannot hear train whistles or car horns, leading to fatalities in almost three-quarters of such cases. Read it: Headphone-wearing Pedestrians at Risk
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    The Self-Healing Coach

  • What’s In Our Food?

    Karen
    26 Jan 2012 | 8:29 am
    This is a disturbing but essential piece of education by Robyn O’Brien at TedX Austin (2011) for anyone living in the United States and especially those with a chronic illness. Please watch it.

  • All I Want For Christmas

    Karen
    19 Dec 2011 | 6:02 pm
    Photo by Pshab, Flickr This is an intense time of year. Intensely great for some. Intensely lonely for others. However it’s showing up for you, the holiday season most definitely amplifies the challenging contours of our lives. Despite the fact that I like to think of myself as unique, I’m actually a cliche holiday emotional mess these days (because as many of you know this year has been, for me, um, challenging, all the way up until the last few days, it seems), and so as Christmas, Hannukah, and the New Year approach, I find myself experiencing mounting pressure to understand…

  • The 3,000-Plus Chemicals That Are Killing Us

    Karen
    13 Dec 2011 | 10:12 am
    Here’s another excerpt from the Autoimmune Warrior Bootcamp about the harmful chemicals and additives we are putting in our food that are making us sick. Plus, a cautionary tale about Red Bull… Yesterday we opened up access to purchase the Bootcamp as a complete pre-recorded set. The product contains 14 hours of original content, plus a full-transcript of the entire program and all the presentations in printable format. It’s got everything the live version had, but you’ll benefit from being able to instantly download the entire course so you can watch it at whatever…

  • Electromagnetic Dangers: Excerpt from the Autoimmune Warrior Bootcamp

    Karen
    7 Dec 2011 | 9:26 pm
    Here’s another excerpt from the Autoimmune Warrior Bootcamp, discussing the dangers of electromagnetic frequencies found in popular electronics. I thought you might find it useful. On a side note, nobody paid me for that plug I gave the iPhone in this clip. It really does do everything! But apparently I should be in the market for an old-fashioned alarm clock instead of sleeping with my iPhone resting “peacefully” by my head. Enjoy the clip and stay tuned for deets on the release of the Bootcamp as a full 7-week pre-recorded set. It should be available next week. UPDATE:…

  • Cocoa Cream of Quinoa

    Karen
    4 Dec 2011 | 1:39 pm
    Ah, the holiday season. The best excuse of the year (with the exception of Halloween and Valentine’s Day) to gluttonously consume sugary treats of all shapes and sizes. In fact it’s a time ideally designed for binging. We inhale every holiday goodie we see without remorse for five weeks straight – from Thanksgiving until December 31st – with the free pass of an upcoming New Year’s resolution to do better in the coming year. Of course, if you are living with a chronic illness the stakes are always higher, and if you’re anything like me you loathe this time…
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    MS Trust Recent Story List

  • Rebif for CIS

    24 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    Rebif (interferon beta 1a) has been approved in Europe for the treatment of people with clinically isolated syndrome. This brings Rebif into line with the other first line disease modifying drugs Reuters Merck press release - (pdf 38kb) Disease modifying drugs - A to Z of MS

  • European Medicines Agency announces review of fingolimod (Gilenya)

    19 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    The European Medicines Agency has begun a review of the benefits and risks of Gilenya (fingolimod) following the death of one person in the United States less than 24 hours after the first dose and reports of heart problems in other people. While the review of this new oral treatment for relapsing remitting MS is ongoing, doctors are advised to increase cardiac monitoring of people after first dose. European Medicines Agency MS Trust news item on death following first dose of fingolimod A to Z of MS - Fingolimod

  • MPs hear evidence of value of MS nurse-led services

    19 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    Dr Steve Pollock, senior neurologist in East Kent, praised a nurse-led MS service to the Public Accounts Committee. The committee, which is currently investigating NHS neurology services following publication of a report by the National Audit Office, also heard calls for the appointment of national level leadership on improving neurology services, such as a national clinical director or 'tsar'. Nursing Times MS Trust news item - 'Neurology disease time bomb' says Neurological Alliance MS Trust news item on the National Audit Office report - 16 December 2011 National Audit Office report -…

  • Natalizumab (Tysabri) label change

    19 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    The American FDA has approved a label change that will allow mention of the JC virus as a risk factor for PML (a side effect of natalizumab) and has approved the marketing of the STRATIFY test which shows exposure to the virus. Includes January's PML figures - 201 cases, 42 deaths out of more than 96,500 people treated. Med Page Today Biogen press release FDA safety announcement Natalizumab (Tysabri) - A to Z of MS PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) - A to Z of MS

  • Fair deal for neurology

    17 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    Following the publication in December of the National Audit Office report which found the implementation of neurology services had been poor, uncoordinated and lacked effective monitoring, the Neurology Alliance is calling on people to raise these concerns with their MP Neurological Alliance MS Trust news item on the National Audit Office report - 16 December 2011
 
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    MS Trust Stop Press

  • Clinical trial for secondary progressive MS

    26 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    A phase III trial, Ascend, involving 850 people in 15 countries will investigate the effectiveness of natalizumab (Tysabri) in secondary progressive MS.

  • All beta interferon drugs now licensed for CIS

    25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    The European Union has approved interferon beta 1a (Rebif) for the treatment of clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). The move brings Rebif into line with the other beta interferon drugs (Avonex, Betaferon and Extavia) and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone).

  • Dancing fun in Letchworth this Saturday

    23 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    A supporter of the MS Trust will be holding a 24hr Shimmython this Saturday (28th January) in Letchworth Garden City, to raise money for the MS Trust and Breast Cancer Care.

  • European Medicines Agency to review Gilenya (fingolimod)

    19 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    The European Medicines Agency has begun a formal review of the benefits and risks of fingolimod following reports of serious heart problems after the first dose

  • A better deal for neurology

    18 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm
    The Neurological Alliance is asking people to raise concerns about the state of neurology services in England with their MP.
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    The Lesion Journals

  • Survey Says! 86% of MSers Deal With Fatigue

    Christie @ the Lesion Journals
    22 Jan 2012 | 12:19 pm
    Hello Friends,Recently, over 10,000 MSers completed the MS in Focus onlinefatigue survey. The combined results are in and it turns out, 86% of us say thatfatigue is one of our three main symptoms. That is a lot. We all know fatigue is a big deal and it seems fairly obvious that a very high number of us claim this is a main symptom. Yet compiling statslike this is important and I, for one, am hopeful that it will fuel the needfor more research. More research may lead to better treatment and improvedmanagement of this overwhelming symptom. Better treatment and management of MSfatigue will make…

  • Tour de Christie

    Christie @ the Lesion Journals
    3 Jan 2012 | 9:20 pm
    I love to ride my bicycle. This one morning in late Octoberwas no exception. And I could not have asked for better weather. The sun wasshining, the temperature was warm and there were no head winds. Perfect bikingconditions.  I strapped on my helmet,hopped in the saddle, clipped into my pedals and took off, eager to ride asquickly as possible because ultimately that is what I love the most aboutriding.  As I rode, I noticed there were more cyclists around than Inormally encounter on this quiet path. There seemed to be organized groups withsome wearing matching colored jerseys. They…

  • Omhu. This is a totally rad walking stick!

    Christie @ the Lesion Journals
    5 Nov 2011 | 11:48 am
    I feel compelled to let you know about this great deal on a really groovy walking stick made by Omhu (Danish for “with great care”).First, let me describe it a bit. This is not your ordinary cane. When I look at this walking stick, I see bicycles and Scandinavian furniture. And this is intentional. Omhu brings style and a bit of happiness to the walking stick, a nice departure from the usual medicinal looking ones. Rad, right? The wood is all natural and toxic free. The shaft is painted with American bicycle paint and there are six colors available. Mine is turquoise. And, when you lean…

  • Hup ECTRIMS!

    Christie @ the Lesion Journals
    19 Oct 2011 | 10:15 am
    Hup Holland! I just had to throw that out there as a daughter of Dutch parents. I also threw it out there because in Amsterdam, the ECTRMIS has started! This is the biggest MS research conference ever with 7,000 people in attendance. Our friends Julie Stachowiak and Kate Milliken are there and will be providing updates as the conference happens.  I love this quote from Timothy Coetzee, PhD when Kate Milliken spoke with him the day before the conference. It sums up perfectly why it is so important that this event is happening: “We know more now about MS than ever before and we can…

  • Live Wednesday Night! "Humor Me" on mslolradio

    Christie @ the Lesion Journals
    18 Oct 2011 | 10:31 pm
    Friends,Be sure to check out tomorrow's blogtalkradio program "Humor Me: Finding the funny while living with MS" on mslolradio hosted by our friend Amy Gurowitz. I am not sure about you, but I definitely use humor as a coping mechanism for living with MS. Amy's guests do too so be sure to listen in for a few chuckles. Oh! One more thing. I'll be on the show too! Please follow this link for more information MSLOLRADIO "Humor Me: Finding the funny while living with MS. You are invited to call into the show to share your funny stories and laughs.See you there!Be well,Christie
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    Wheelchair Kamikaze

  • Bits and Pieces: CCSVI, Stem Cells, Big Pharma, Boobs, and A Sad Goodbye

    The Wheelchair Kamikaze
    24 Jan 2012 | 2:22 am
    Image via Wikipedia ( For those readers who receive Wheelchair Kamikaze via email, this post contains videos, which can only be viewed on the WK website.) As you may have noticed, I've changed the look of Wheelchair Kamikaze, more out of necessity than preference. Google's Blogger service, which hosts this blog, has been introducing new blog templates over the last year or so. Along with these new templates, some new functionalities have been added, many of which don't work with the templates originally provided by the Blogger. One of these new functionalities provides an easy way to reply to…

  • Shock and Awe

    The Wheelchair Kamikaze
    12 Jan 2012 | 9:17 pm
    Next week will mark five years since I was forced to "retire" due to my illness. It's been almost 9 years since I first received my MS diagnosis (which is now in question). In both cases, the human mind's peculiar perception of time plays its usual tricks; somehow, I feel simultaneously as if both events happened only yesterday, but also a lifetime ago. I suppose both readings are correct, as my healthy, working days do indeed encompass an almost entirely separate life than the one I'm living now, but in a strictly chronologic sense the time I've spent ill represents a relatively small…

  • Some New Photos to Ring in the New Year

    The Wheelchair Kamikaze
    31 Dec 2011 | 2:41 pm
    Image via Wikipedia What better way to celebrate the New Year than to post a bunch of new photos to my Wheelchair Kamikaze photo gallery? Who needs silly hats, noisemakers, confetti, countdowns, dropping balls, Auld Lang Syne, consuming copious amounts of champagne, kissing attractive strangers at the stroke of midnight, dealing with amateur drunks throwing up all over the place, waiting endlessly for nonexistent taxicabs (maybe just a problem in NYC), assiduously avoiding stepping in the wide swaths of vomit left by the aforementioned amateur drunks, or hoping vainly that the coming year…

  • Bits and Pieces: Happy Holidays Edition

    The Wheelchair Kamikaze
    22 Dec 2011 | 12:25 am
    (note: for those who receive this via e-mail, this post contains some video links, which can only be accessed from the Wheelchair Kamikaze website itself) Well, it's again that time of year when a jolly fat man in a red velvet suit slides down chimneys and performs home invasions in an endless search for cookies and milk. Yup, it appears my uncle Bart is once again off his meds. I think it may be time for an intervention… The holiday season is upon us, but unlike in conflicts of old during which a truce was often called in reverence to the holiday, the war that MS wages upon its victims…

  • You Can't Be Too Strong

    The Wheelchair Kamikaze
    14 Dec 2011 | 12:12 am
    One of the great paradoxes of dealing with MS: it's a disease one of whose hallmark symptoms is weakness, yet it demands the utmost strength from those dealing with it. From the psychological impact of the debilitating nature of the disease itself, to the shifting landscape of compromises and adjustments the patient must make in an attempt to maintain some semblance of normalcy, to the frustrations of dealing with an often maddening medical infrastructure, to the well-intentioned but misguided efforts of friends and family, to the sometimes heart wrenching indifference of the world at large,…
 
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