In Conjunction with the Previous Post: here is some humor

Enjoy, here are two humorous bits from Buddy Hackett that should improve your health.

On the Johnny Carson Show


Elephant Trunk

HUMOR THERAPY

“It is my belief, you cannot understand the most serious things in the world unless you understand the most amusing."
-Winston Churchill

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For centuries, humor and laughter have been used in some form for medical purposes. In the thirteenth century, humor was used to distract patients during surgery. More recently, Norman Cousins popularized laughter therapy. In 1964, Cousins, who was editor of the Saturday Review, became ill with an unusual condition characterized by pain, fever, lethargy, and generalized weakness. Since he did not improve during his hospitalization, he left the hospital. To develop his own therapy, he reasoned that if negative emotions have negative effects on health, then positive emotions must positively impact health. As a result, he treated himself with laughter by reading humorous books and watching amusing movies and TV shows. He also treated himself with high doses of vitamin C. He slowly recovered and wrote of his experiences in an article in the New England Journal of Medicine and in a book, Anatomy of an Illness. In the last few years, humor therapy was brought to public attention by the movie Patch Adams. In this movie, Robin Williams portrays a real-life physician, Dr. Patch Adams, who believes humor and laughter have healing properties.
Humor therapy involves the use of humor to treat medical conditions. In hospitals, formal humor therapy may occur in specially designed rooms that have supplies such as humorous books and videos. “Laugh Mobiles” and “Comedy Carts,” which also contain amusing books and videos, have been used in some hospitals, and, in some settings, especially children’s hospitals, clowns are “prescribed” to amuse patients. Of course, informal variations of humor therapy may be part of daily life and may easily be done on one’s own.
In addition to its possible therapeutic effects, humor may also facilitate communication in health situations. Health professionals, friends, and family may use humor to aid in communicating to people with a disease, especially during stressful situations. Victor Borge once said, “Humor is the shortest distance between two people.”
Laughter and humor therapy have undergone limited formal scientific investigation. Nevertheless, there is a national organization known as the American Association for Therapeutic Humor, and one nursing journal, the Journal of Nursing Jocularity, is devoted to humor and health. There is actually a term for the study of humor physiology: “gelotology.” Some of the technical descriptions of laughter and smiling written by “gelotologists” are amusing in themselves:
· “Spontaneous laughter is produced by the coordinated contraction of 15 facial muscles in a stereotyped pattern and accompanied by altered breathing.”
· “Smiling involves a complex group of facial movements…the drawing back and slight lifting of the corners of the mouth, the raising of the upper lip, which partially uncovers the teeth, and the curving of the furrows betwixt the corners of the mouth and the nostrils.”
Generally, it is not claimed that humor or laughter cures disease. Rather, it is believed that this form of therapy may relieve various symptoms or help people cope with the effects of a disease. There are limited formal studies of humor in MS. One study of 20 people with MS found that maintaining a sense of humor was one of the most common strategies used to cope with the disease. There are no large published studies of humor therapy for treating MS or its symptoms.
An unusual form of laughter, “pathological laughter,” may occur in some people with MS and other neurologic diseases. With pathological laughter, people laugh especially easily or for no apparent reason. Pathological laughter occurs in a small subgroup of people with MS and generally in those with more severe and long-standing disease. Medications may be helpful in controlling this type of laughter.
Limited studies in other conditions suggest that humor therapy may have therapeutic value for MS-related symptoms. In the case of stress, which may occur in people with MS, humor may provide relief. Several studies indicate that stress-related compounds in the body decrease during times of laughter.
Humor may also alleviate pain, another MS symptom. Laughing is associated with the release of “endorphins,” chemicals that decrease pain. In a study of people with pain due to rheumatoid arthritis, humor was more common in people with higher levels of pain; the researchers concluded that more humor may be needed by those who experience more pain. Another study of pain in rheumatoid arthritis found that humor therapy decreased pain.
One study evaluated the effects of humor therapy in people with spinal cord injuries. This small study did not find any statistically significant benefit with this type of therapy.
Preliminary research indicates that laughter may alter immune system activity. Some of these effects may involve specific immune cells as well as chemicals that act on the immune system, some of which are known as cortisol, interleukin-6, and interferon-gamma. Further research is needed in this area to determine if these immune system effects have any impact on the clinical course of immune diseases such as MS.
The exact mechanism by which humor may have health benefits is unclear but may involve some aspect of the mind-body connection. Many studies suggest that one’s mental state has an important influence on one’s health. For example, a recent long-term study at the Mayo Clinic evaluated the effects of optimism and pessimism on health in 839 patients. It was found that those who were pessimistic had a 19% increased risk of mortality. Humor may cultivate optimism and other positive emotions by allowing one to step back from serious or stressful situations and to view them with detachment and objectivity. In this way, humor may, sometimes in a moment, replace feelings of stress, fear, or anger with feelings of relaxation, lightheartedness, or hope.
Laughter and humor therapy carry little risk. One report noted isolated, anecdotal accounts of strokes or heart attacks occurring with laughter. In addition, excessive laughter may be harmful with recent abdominal or pelvic surgery, after rib or shoulder fractures, or with significant breathing conditions such as asthmatic attacks. Emotionally, humor may sometimes be used to hide true feelings. Humor therapy should not be used in lieu of conventional medicine.
In summary, humor and laughter are enjoyable and entertaining approaches to life that may also provide health benefits. Humor may decrease stress, relieve pain, and instill positive and hopeful feelings. All of these effects are of potential benefit to people with MS.
From: The Rocky Mountain MS Center

Patterns in the Distribution of MS

* As in other autoimmune diseases, MS is significantly more common (at least 2-3 times) in women than men. This gender difference has stimulated important research initiatives looking at the role of hormones in MS. Read more on autoimmune diseases.
* MS is not directly inherited, but genetics play an important role in who gets the disease. While the risk of developing MS in the general population is 1/750, the risk rises to 1/40 in anyone who has a close relative (parent, sibling, child) with the disease. Even though identical twins share the same genetic makeup, the risk for an identical twin is only 1/4—which means that some factor(s) other than genetics are involved.
* While most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, MS can appear in young children and teens as well as much older adults. Studying the disease in different age groups may help scientists determine the cause of MS and explain why the disease course differs from one person to another. Important questions include why the disease appears so early in some children and why people who are diagnosed after age 50 tend to have a more steadily progressive course that primarily affects their ability to walk.
* In all parts of the world, MS is more common at northern latitudes that are farther from the equator and less common in areas closer to the equator. Researchers are now investigating whether increased exposure to sunlight and the vitamin D it provides may have a protective effect on those living nearer the equator.
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MS occurs in most ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics/Latinos, but is more common in Caucasians of northern European ancestry. However some ethnic groups, such as the Inuit, Aborigines and Maoris, have few if any documented cases of MS regardless of where they live. These variations that occur even within geographic areas with the same climate suggest that geography, ethnicity, and other factors interact in some complex way.

From: The National MS Society

What is the Course of MS?

Each case of MS displays one of several patterns of presentation and subsequent course. Most commonly, MS first manifests itself as a series of attacks followed by complete or partial remissions as symptoms mysteriously lessen, only to return later after a period of stability. This is called relapsing-remitting (RR) MS. Primary-progressive (PP) MS is characterized by a gradual clinical decline with no distinct remissions, although there may be temporary plateaus or minor relief from symptoms. Secondary-progressive (SP) MS begins with a relapsing-remitting course followed by a later primary-progressive course. Rarely, patients may have a progressive-relapsing (PR) course in which the disease takes a progressive path punctuated by acute attacks. PP, SP, and PR are sometimes lumped together and called chronic progressive MS.

In addition, twenty percent of the MS population has a benign form of the disease in which symptoms show little or no progression after the initial attack; these patients remain fully functional. A few patients experience malignant MS, defined as a swift and relentless decline resulting in significant disability or even death shortly after disease onset. However, MS is very rarely fatal and most people with MS have a fairly normal life expectancy.

Studies throughout the world are causing investigators to redefine the natural course of the disease. These studies use a technique called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the evolution of MS lesions in the white matter of the brain. Bright spots on a T2 MRI scan indicate the presence of lesions, but do not provide information about when they developed.

Because investigators speculate that the breakdown of the blood/brain barrier is the first step in the development of MS lesions, it is important to distinguish new lesions from old. To do this, physicians give patients injections of gadolinium, a chemical contrast agent that normally does not cross the blood/brain barrier, before performing a scan. On this type of scan, called T1, the appearance of bright areas indicates periods of recent disease activity (when gadolinium is able to cross the barrier). The ability to estimate the age of lesions through MRI has allowed investigators to show that, in some patients, lesions occur frequently throughout the course of the disease even when no symptoms are present.

What Causes MS?

Scientists have learned a great deal about MS in recent years; still, its cause remains elusive. Many investigators believe MS to be an autoimmune disease-one in which the body, through its immune system, launches a defensive attack against its own tissues. In the case of MS, it is the nerve-insulating myelin that comes under assault. Such assaults may be linked to an unknown environmental trigger, perhaps a virus.

Blood-Clotting Protein Could be a Target for Therapy against MS

In multiple sclerosis (MS), the immune cells that patrol our blood for pathogens venture out of the bloodstream and attack the brain. Researchers have found that leakage of a blood-clotting protein into the brain, once considered merely a sign of damage in the MS brain, helps stimulate this attack.

In experiments on mice, the researchers were able to block the protein's effect on immune cells – and reduce the clinical signs of MS – without affecting the protein's vital role in blood clotting. Their findings appear in the Journal of Experimental Medicine,* and offer hope for new therapies against MS, the most common disabling neurological disorder of young adults.

Katerina Akassoglou, Ph.D., the study's senior investigator and an assistant professor of pharmacology at the University of California in San Diego, says she hopes the work will lead to improved drugs for MS. Various immunosuppressants are used to modify the course of MS, which can cause recurrent bouts of vision loss, weakness, and even paralysis, but there is currently no cure.

MS occurs when immune cells react against myelin – a protective sheath that insulates neurons in the brain. Why this inflammatory reaction occurs is unknown, but a rupture of the blood-brain barrier appears to be a key event. This structure normally keeps immune cells and microbes from creeping out of the blood and entering brain tissue. Breaks in the barrier – and leakage of the blood-clotting protein fibrinogen – are commonly observed near areas of myelin destruction, but until now, no one realized that fibrinogen might be more than a bystander.

"In brain tissue affected by MS, there's a striking co-localization of fibrinogen with areas of inflammation [a buildup of immune cells] and demyelination," says Dr. Akassoglou, who is supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). "This led us to the idea that fibrinogen might be an active participant in the disease."

She suspected that fibrinogen – which helps stimulate platelets in the blood to form clots – might also stimulate microglia, the brain's resident immune cells. Prior studies suggest that microglia protect the brain by gobbling up toxins and debris, but that they can also participate in inflammatory reactions. Moreover, they are known to possess a receptor for fibrinogen, called Mac-1.

In an initial experiment, Dr. Akassoglou grew microglia in a laboratory dish and exposed them to fibrinogen. The cells "underwent dramatic changes," she says, swelling up and becoming capable of ingesting other cells.

Next, she probed fibrinogen's role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an MS-like disease that can be induced in mice by sensitizing their immune systems to myelin. In one experiment, she gave mice with the disease ancrod – an anticoagulant, or anti-clotting drug. Mice that received the drug after their first bout of paralysis steadily regained their motor functions, while untreated mice tended to relapse.

Since chronic use of anticoagulants could cause hemorrhaging, Dr. Akassoglou sought a way to specifically inhibit the damaging effects of fibrinogen in the brain without affecting its beneficial effects in blood clotting.

She focused on a small fragment of fibrinogen known to bind exclusively to the Mac-1 receptor. She guessed that a synthetic version of this fragment – or peptide – might serve as a decoy, tying up the receptor and keeping the microglia from responding to the real protein. Indeed, when delivered daily via a nasal spray, the peptide protected mice against EAE induction. It also enhanced motor performance and reduced demyelination in mice that already had EAE. Importantly, the peptide had no effect on blood clotting.

"This is proof of principle that we can block the inflammatory effects of fibrinogen in the brain without impairing its role in blood clotting," says Dr. Akassoglou. "We are very interested in exploring whether this peptide or other fibrin-depleting agents would be safe and effective in MS patients." Antibodies or small molecules that target fibrinogen may prove to be suitable for drug development, she says.

Update: In November 2007, the White House feted Dr. Akassoglou for her research on MS with a 2006 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on new scientists and engineers. Ravindra Singh, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, received a PECASE for his research on the function of a pair of genes involved in spinal muscular atrophy, work that is also funded by NINDS. Click here for a full list of PECASE recipients whose work is supported by NIH.

*Adams RA et al. "The Fibrin-Derived gamma377-395 Peptide Inhibits Microglia Activation and Suppresses Relapsing Paralysis in Central Nervous System Autoimmune Disease." Journal of Experimental Medicine, March 19, 2007, Vol. 204(3), pp. 571-582.

-By Daniel Stimson, Ph.D.

Date Last Modified: Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Origins of Spasticity and Weakness in Voluntary Movement

Muscle groups normally work together: when one is flexed, its opposing muscle is relaxed. This complementary muscle action depends on the transmission of signals along pathways connecting the brain, motor neurons in the spinal cord, and muscles ( Figure 3.1). The CNS damage caused by MS disrupts this communication, allowing the persistent contraction of the muscle fibers that produces spasticity. Spasticity is associated with sprouting of descending motor pathways to form new synaptic connections with spinal neurons and with hypersensitivity caused by denervation.107 Damage to descending motor pathways also causes slowness of movement and weakness. The spinal plaques occurring in many types of spinal MS are associated with a progressive loss of axons and a reduction in diameter or a loss of myelination of residual axons passing through or close to the plaque.103 There can also be alterations in the numbers and types of excitable sodium membrane channels exposed by the membrane demyelination, further altering the conduction capacity of the damaged axons. Although the mechanisms leading to spasticity and muscle weakness in MS are not fully understood, knowledge about the mechanisms operating in other conditions may be helpful. For example, the mechanisms related to the spinal cord pathology known to occur in MS may be similar to those in incomplete spinal cord injury. The symptoms of spasticity and weakness in MS can also result from plaques in the supraspinal brain and brainstem, which would suggest a comparison with the results of stroke or intracapsular hemorrhage. However, considerably more is known about the effects of incomplete spinal cord injury. Thus, it is more likely to provide instructive parallels for understanding the pathology and pathophysiology of MS.

FIGURE 3.1 Functions controlled by nerves at different levels of the spine. Damage at a particular level of the spine usually impairs functions controlled by all nerves at lower levels.

This is an excerpt from published material found on the NIS website.

Flu Vaccine and H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccine Information for 2009-2010

Sep 11, 2009

Regular flu shot: As in previous years, the National MS Society recommends a regular flu shot as a safe and effective vaccination for people with MS. The flu shot—which is a de-activated or “killed” vaccine—can safely be taken by individuals who are on any of the disease-modifying medications (Avonex®, Betaseron®, Copaxone®, Rebif®, Novantrone®, or Tysabri®).

FluMist Intranasal®: In 2003, the FDA approved a flu vaccine nasal spray “for healthy children and adolescents, ages 5-17, and healthy adults, ages 18-49.” According to Dr. Aaron Miller, the Society’s Chief Medical Officer, FluMist—which is a live, weakened vaccine—is not recommended for use by people with MS, and should specifically be avoided by any person with MS who is on an immunosuppressive medication such as mitoxantrone (Novantrone®), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®), azathioprine (Imuran®), or methotrexate.

* Live-virus vaccines are more likely than de-activated-virus vaccines to cause an increase in disease activity in people with MS.
* A person taking an immunosuppressive medication is more susceptible to developing an infection with the vaccine strain of the virus—an infection that may be particularly severe because the person’s immune system is suppressed.
* The interactions between live vaccines and the disease-modifying medications are not known.


H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine: The H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine is still in production, so its safety and efficacy have not yet been established. It is anticipated that the vaccine will be available in the fall of 2009, probably in October. When it becomes available, the recommendations for its use in people with MS will likely be the same as the recommendations for the regular flu vaccine. If a live, attenuated version of the H1N1 vaccine is also produced, it should be avoided by individuals with MS.

The initial supply of H1N1 vaccine will not be adequate to vaccinate everyone. The CDC has indicated that five groups will initially be targeted for vaccination:

* Pregnant women
* Persons who live with or provide care for infants under 6 months of age
* Healthcare and emergency services personnel
* Children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years of age
* Persons aged 25-64 who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

It is important to note that people with disabilities (including people with MS) are not necessarily considered part of this high-priority group. However:

* The flu virus (like any other virus) can precipitate MS exacerbations
* A person with advanced MS or someone with less severe disease (Kurtzke 6.0) who has reduced pulmonary function or has any difficulty with breathing is considered at risk for complications and a good candidate for the H1N1 vaccine.

We recommend that people talk with their MS doctor to determine if they are a good candidate for the H1N1 vaccine.

In summary:

* People with MS should consult with their physician about obtaining a regular flu shot as soon as the regular flu vaccine is available.
* They should also discuss with their neurologist whether they should get the H1N1 vaccination because (1) catching the flu would put them at greater risk of an exacerbation, or (2) their MS symptoms are severe enough to put them at risk for flu complications.
* The FluMist nasal spray vaccine and any live, attenuated version of the H1N1 (if one is produced) are not recommended for people with MS.


We will update this Web site when new information is forthcoming. You can read information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about the regular flu vaccine at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm and the H1N1 vaccine at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm. Comprehensive information is also available at www.flu.gov.

Sep 18, 2009
Update on Tysabri and PML

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there have been 13 confirmed cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML, a viral infection of the brain that usually leads to death or severe disability) among people who have used Tysabri® (natalizumab, Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals) after it became available for prescription in July 2006. Although the absolute risk for PML in patients treated with Tysabri cannot be precisely determined, the frequency to date remains less than the one-in-one thousand risk that was estimated at the time of Tysabri’s re-approval in 2006. The latest post-marketing safety warnings provided by the FDA on Tysabri can be found here. Early Detection Important It appears that when PML is detected and treated early, it generally improves outcomes. It is important that individuals taking this drug and their doctors be vigilant in monitoring for any occurrence of new, unusual symptoms that might indicate PML. Typical symptoms associated with PML progress over days to weeks, and can include: * clumsiness and progressive weakness on one side of the body, * disturbances of vision, and * changes in thinking, memory, and orientation leading to confusion and personality changes. If individuals taking Tysabri experience new, unusual symptoms, they should contact their prescribing physician immediately. Physicians who need guidelines on the protocol to follow when they have a patient on Tysabri who experiences unusual symptoms should contact Biogen Idec. There is no specific therapy to treat PML, but the best hope is to reconstitute a person’s immune responses. Based on small-scale studies supported by Biogen Idec, plasma exchange, a blood-cleansing treatment, has been used to clear the bloodstream of Tysabri. There is insufficient evidence to determine whether plasma exchange can reduce PML symptoms.

Tysabri is a registered trademark of Biogen Idec and Elan.

Fampridine-SR

anxiously awaited new MS therapeutic

June 2, 2009
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* Analysis by: Daniel Wynn, MD
* Analysis of: Acorda’s Fampridine-SR Gets Priority Review
* Published at: phoenix.corporate-ir.net

Summary A major unmet need in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis is a medication to increase walking ability. Since disease modifying therapies have only been available for 16 years, MS starts at a mean age of 29, and the disease has only a minimal effect at shortening lifespan, the majority of MS patients presently have progressive forms of MS. Ten percent have primary progressive disease, progressive from the onset, and others, start with relapsing remitting MS, and progress after approximately 15 years to progressive illness. In the early years of progressive MS, patients loose the ability to walk, hence the prior motto of the National MS Society, "MS, the great crippler of young adults." FAMPRIDINE SR IS THE FIRST MEDICATION FOUND TO IMPROVE MS PATIENTS ABILITY TO WALK. Standard disease modifying agents, the interferons (Avonex, Betaseron, Rebif), Copaxone and Tysabri, decrease relapse rate and may slow progression, however do not improve one's ability to walk. Analysis Fampridine-SR will be a branded formulation of 4-aminopyridine, a compounded product used for over 20 years successfully in treating MS. While not replacing standard disease modifying therapies, as an add-on symptomatic option, the drug diminishes the fate MS patients fear most, losing the ability to walk, "the wheelchair." One problem with 4-aminopyridine is a relatively narrow therapeutic window -- too little, no effect; too high a dose or too rapidly delivered dose, the greater the risk of epileptic seizures. Elan's patented formulation, offered by Acorda, mitigates this risk by offering a more stable extended release wax matrix tablet. The compounded product has the benefit of low price, but an added risk of seizure. The branded drug Fampridine is a stable formulation, consistent in dose from batch to batch compounding pharmacies cannot match. I have used the compounded product for approximately 20 years, however, like most neurologists, I will change almost all treated patients to branded FAMPRIDINE-SR as soon as it is available. Acorda's bringing FAMPRIDINE to market will undoubtably increase patient's access to this important therapeutic agent and be an important step in keeping MS patients moving.

Your Body Needs Them. Fish Make Them. Beneficial Omega-3s Have Everyone Talking.

If you've ever wondered exactly what “omega-3s” are and why they seem to be such a big deal in the health world, you're not alone.
What Are They?

Omega-3s are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids commonly found in fish, yet not so commonly in the diet of the average American. While we don't know everything about omega-3s yet, our bodies clearly crave them, and for good reason. Omega-3s have been linked to better heart health and fewer chronic diseases, and our bodies can't build some cells without them. Let's run down the most important facts about omega-3s: Your Body Needs Omega-3s but Can't Produce Them This strange situation is especially important for children in the womb, who need omega-3s for brain growth. Some groups like the Inuit may have once obtained fatty acids in greater quantity by eating fish. As their diets shifted, they may have lost their ready supply of omega-3s. There Are 3 Main Types of Omega-3s Though your body doesn't produce omega-3s on its own, it can synthesize two of the fatty acids it really needs—EPA and DHA—from the more common alphalinolenic acid, or ALA, found in leafy greens, nuts, flax, and some other plants. Scientists, however, believe more research is needed into ALA. Your Heart May Benefit from Omega-3s The fatty acids have been shown by numerous studies to lower high blood pressure, decrease triglyceride levels, slow the growth of atherosclerotic plaque, and decrease risk of arrhythmia. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish twice a week and, for those with documented heart conditions, taking omega-3 supplements. You Can Obtain Quality Omega-3s from Fish Oil Omega3s are found in greatest concentration in fatty fish, including mackerel, salmon, and tuna. Their natural oils can be distilled, deodorized and pollutants removed; you'll find fish oil pills in many health stores. Cod liver oil is traditionally taken to boost levels of vitamins A and D. Be careful, you can actually overdose on both vitamins. Other fish oil supplements don’t necessarily have high levels of vitamins A & D. Besides, cod liver oil doesn't taste very good to most people, especially compared to freshly grilled tuna. You Can Obtain Some Omega-3s from Plants Leafy vegetables, soy, walnuts, almonds, flax seed, flax seed oil, soy-based oils, and some seaweeds have ALA, a type of omega-3, but scientists are still researching the benefits of ALA as opposed to EPA and DHA. New findings, however, suggest plant-based omega-3s may be good for bone health. Don't Take More Than the Recommended Dosage Consult your doctor for the best advice, but some experts recommend 500 milligrams per day for those without documented heart conditions and 1 gram per day for those who have heart trouble. Certainly, if you're allergic to fish, pass on fish oil. What About Mercury? It's considered one of the great ironies of modern health medicine, but the best way to get omega-3s is from fish, and fish are increasingly seen as a risky food due to high mercury levels. In particular, shark, swordfish, and king mackerel can contain more mercury than other seafood. Read up on which fish have the least mercury, and moderate how much you eat. And Remember… Research on the benefits of omega-3s has only recently picked up steam, and new studies are published frequently. Initial findings from recent studies, for example, suggest that omega-3s may enhance cognitive abilities and even improve memory. There are also new studies underway to determine whether the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3s on the central nervous system may be useful to treat depression, especially among MS patients. Whether you get your omega-3s from capsules or from more chewable forms, happy supplementing. FROM: www.moveoverms.org

Small, Simple Steps to Help Reduce Stress

We’ve all been there. Whether it’s paying the bills on time, being stuck in rush-hour traffic, picking up the kids from soccer practice, or meeting a deadline, there are lots of stressful situations that can make daily life feel overwhelming. Even though you can’t eliminate stress altogether, there are many little things you can do to help reduce it:

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Simplify your “To-Do List” to a “Must-Do List.”
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Take on the most demanding tasks during the time of day you have the most energy.
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Plan ahead for stressful situations if possible. Visualizing yourself succeeding in a situation ahead of time will help lower the stress when you’re actually there.
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To avoid extra-stressful trips, stock up on the things you use most and run out of frequently: batteries, light bulbs, toilet paper, stamps, and pet food, to name a few.
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Take a breather—literally, if you find that you are taking short, shallow breaths, it’s time to take a break. Sit down for a minute, take deep, slow breaths, close your eyes, and just relax.
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Try to make time to do something you enjoy every day.
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Do one thing at a time. Let yourself feel a sense of accomplishment before moving on to the next task.

Overall, keep your sense of humor, even if you do happen to forget something. Take advantage of even the smallest stress reducers. They may help you feel better in mind, body, and spirit.

from:
http://www.moveoverms.org/well-being/stress-management/small-simple-steps-to-help-reduce-stress

Exercise

MS: Multiple Reasons to Exercise

It’s hard to believe—just a decade ago, people with MS were encouraged not to exercise. A lot has changed since then. In the last 10 years, numerous studies have shown that working out regularly can benefit and rejuvenate you in many ways. Before starting a new exercise program, talk to your doctor about which types of exercise will best fit your needs. Exercising can help: Improve walking speed, posture, and balance Build endurance, strength, and cardiovascular health Decrease fatigue Reduce stress Perhaps the biggest payoff is that exercise elevates your mood. With the help of a physical therapist, you can design a fitness plan that will help you feel better and more energetic. What’s the key to sticking with it? Talking with your doctor about a regular routine that offers activities that are both challenging and fun. And giving yourself plenty of breaks in between. Experts suggest that your plan should be tailored to your capabilities and within your comfort zone. The good news is that it’s never too late to start. With some modifications, people at all levels of ability can enjoy the many benefits of exercise.

Positive Thinking

I was reading today, I thought the following would be helpful to people. I must give credit to Henriette Mantel, a columnist featured in a website that can be found using the following link; http://www.moveoverms.org/featured-columnists/henriette-mantel/say-what-things-i-wish-people-would-say-about-my-ms

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Things I Wish People Would Say About My MS

I'm a fairly positive thinker. At least when left to my own devices. I always think the cup is half full, that having MS is better than having a lot of other things, and that I will someday marry Bruce Springsteen. Actually he'd be on the road too much, so I will probably have to settle for Gabriel Byrne. OK, maybe I take the positive thinking too far. Maybe I am a fantasist. Staying Positive But since having found out I have MS, I've discovered positive thinking about my MS means being a realist. It was 9 years ago that I was finally diagnosed with the multiple sclerosis that I think I had for the past 25 years. When that happened, I started to talk more logically about my aches, my pains, my numbness, and my inability to stay awake for more than 6 or 8 hours at a time. Not that I want to talk about it that much, but I have learned by talking to the right people that some of my problems can actually either be solved or at least somewhat alleviated. Now I must say that those right people are usually either other people with MS, or my buddies in the health profession who I or my health insurance (hopefully) is paying for their opinions. In fact, over the years, my favorite 6-month thing to do is to talk to my neurologist. (Knock on wood that it's that long between visits.) I know when I read him, or now her, a list of everything I have been noting for the last 6 months, that he or she will actually have some suggestions for me on how to better deal with my lovely body that happens to have this lovely disease. Avoiding the Trap But the one thing I have noticed from talking to hundreds of people with this disease is that we all run into people who just say the wrong thing. They don't mean to; they just don't quite "get it." They can preface it with "my sister has MS" or "my best friend has MS" but I still get a slight shiver in my soul waiting for them to say the next thing. The bottom line is that I am relieved when they say they know someone with MS, and I’m scared to death of what comes next. Usually while listening to them, I fantasize about kicking them. Not for real but in more of a cartoon-like way. Like the minute their mouth opens about what they know about MS, I have reckless leg syndrome and my leg just happens to kick them right where they live. I say, "Oh sorry, it’s my reckless leg syndrome, the only part of MS that I so enjoy."

My Conversational Wish List So I decided to be proactive. Below I have listed the things people with MS do not want to hear and some possible alternatives I’d like to hear: 1. Is MS the disease that Jerry Lewis does the telethon for? How about: Gee, did you get that Jerry Lewis phone number last Labor Day? I really want to call and donate right now. 2. It’s definitely not THAT hot in here, it’s just you. How about: Here, let me put a chair by the open refrigerator door so you can sit in front of it. 3. Come on, you’re not tired. Don’t be a party pooper. Everybody is tired. You’re not the only one. How about: Gee, I certainly would enjoy your company because you are so immensely popular, but at the same time I understand that the most prominent symptom of MS is fatigue. So do whatever is the most comfortable for you. 4. Are you sure the doctor said "MS" and not "PMS"? How about: Do you think it's going to rain today? 5. If stem cell research works for rats, why can’t it work for you? How about: I just wrote a letter to my senator pushing for the new Stem Cell Research Bill. In fact, I have organized thousands of people to write and work actively to put stem cell research higher on the list of priority funding for healthcare issues. 6. Are you drunk? How about: I’m drunk. Ignore everything I say. 7. What’s so bad about being numb? At least you’re not in pain. How about: Would you like a piece of chocolate? 8. Are all the shows on MSNBC about multiple sclerosis? How about: I’m an idiot. 9. Why are you always asking where the bathroom is? How about: This is a great restaurant. The bathroom is huge and right over there to the right of the entrance. 10. Why are you walking like there’s a broom up your butt? How about: You look very pretty today. 11. The good news is that your MRI has proven that you actually do have a brain... How about: You may very well be the smartest, most evolved person I have ever met in my life. I hope this list helps. It sure does help my friends when they are completely baffled about what to say to people they meet who have MS. I even gave it to one of my new doctors who said she only had issues with number 8 and it should be changed to "Gee, I sure do enjoy Rachel Maddow. I just wish she’d wear higher necklines on her shirts." Henriette Mantel

News Today: Bits of news

A Charlotte businessman will make a donation Thursday to launch a new campaign at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis to battle multiple sclerosis. Herman Stone’s donation will support multiple sclerosis research efforts at the 350-acre life sciences hub. The campaign will fund current and future research at the campus, much of which will be completed at the state-of-the-art David H. Murdock Core Laboratory. Simon Gregory, a Duke assistant professor at the Center for Human Genetics in university’s Department of Medicine, will lead a team of researchers at the campus. Gregory looks to identify the factors behind the development of MS. His research has identified a genetic association that could predict susceptibility to the disease.

A contract dispute that could have put Biogen Idec’s multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri under control of pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson has come to a resolution, with Johnson & Johnson no longer able to lay claim to the drug. Dublin, Ireland-based Elan (NYSE: ELN), which is in a 50-50 partnership with Biogen Idec for Tysabri, announced late Monday that Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) will purchase an 18.4 percent stake in Elan for $884 million. That’s $115 million less than what was proposed when the deal was reached in June. Elan said the Johnson & Johnson deal has been amended to eliminate Tysabri from it. Under Elan’s partnership agreement with Biogen Idec (Nasdaq: BIIB), each company has the right to buy the other’s stake in Tysabri if either company is acquired. In August, Biogen and Elan clashed in federal court, with Biogen claiming that Elan’s original deal with Johnson & Johnson was a breach of the 50-50 partnership.

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It's getting to be that season !

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Getting used to the new head-set,here are imges from Hubble.

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Hello Somewhere for a landing.

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Some info I read on "Stem Cells"

Treatment
Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
A medical procedure whereby Human Fetal Stem Cells are transplanted into a Multiple Sclerosis patient. These cellular building blocks are usually administered intravenously and subcutaneously (under the skin). It is a painless procedure, which takes place in approximately one hour, and has no negative side effects.
Multiple Sclerosis Image The Fetal Stem Cell searches out, detects and then attempts to repair any damage or deficiency discovered in the Multiple Sclerosis patient , as well as releases growth factors, which stimulate the body's own repair mechanisms.

Commonly, significant positive changes are seen between three to six months post treatment in patients. At times, these changes can occur in as little as weeks or even days after receiving treatment.

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ITALY

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Happy Labor Day ! Hope to get to see people today. Today's picture will be at the end.

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Just a picture from the past, looks like I need a new headset/microphone to get the voice software working.

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Tysabri updates: and a picture at the end.

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Yes, Tysabri really is funzionando = WORKING - per our Italian friend Angela, in two languages



Enjoy the UK postsyou need to read some of their replies)..., have a great week everyone - Lauren
Tysabri...treatment; mean EDSS score in this group was 3.02 (14% reduction) and mean ARR was 0.59 (73% reduction).
"
Demographic and clinic characteristics of French patients treated with natalizumab in clinical practice.
Outteryck O, Ongagna JC, Zéphir H, Fleury MC, Lacour A, Blanc F, Vermersch P, de Sèze J.
Service de Neurologie D, Université Lille Nord de France (EA2686), Pôle Neurologique, Hôpital Roger Salengro, CHRU LILLE, 2 rue Emile Laine, 59037, Lille Cedex, France, o-outteryck@chru-lille.fr.
Natalizumab is the first selective adhesion molecule inhibitor indicated for treatment of active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Natalizumab has been available in France since April 2007. The aims of this study are to analyze demographic, clinical, and tolerance data from French patients with RRMS treated with natalizumab in actual clinical practice and to draw comparisons with patients in the pivotal AFFIRM study. All patients with RRMS in the Nord-Pas de Calais and Alsace regions of France treated with natalizumab at any time since April 2007 were included. Variables analyzed included previous treatments; disability status [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score]; annualized relapse rate (ARR) at baseline and after 12 months of treatment; and adverse events. Data from 384 patients (72% female) were evaluated. Mean baseline EDSS score was 3.53 and mean baseline ARR was 2.19, both significantly greater than in AFFIRM. One hundred twenty-seven patients completed 12 months of treatment; mean EDSS score in this group was 3.02 (14% reduction) and mean ARR was 0.59 (73% reduction). Although these patients had significantly different baseline characteristics and greater disability compared with patients receiving natalizumab in AFFIRM, average disability remained stable and ARR declined by 73%. Tolerability was similar to that observed in AFFIRM.""

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Still no voice, need to check out a few things before another PC is ordered. Typing left-handed is not easy or fast.

Here is a picture from the past.

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Sent to me by a friend who has MS,could become a theme song for many.

Here are pictures for today! The LA wildfires.

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Lest we forget. September 11, 2001