MS and Bones

There is a relationship between MS and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is common and usually more serious in MSers.

Do you know about osteoporosis? Wanna bet? Make sure you know the facts instead of just the myths. Read the facts to be sure.

So take this quick 8-question test to see if osteoporosis is a possibility. If it is possible, or if you have been diagnosed, or if you are a woman -- especially a post-menopausal MSer -- adjust your diet to strengthen your bones. Here are some diet tips to keep your bones healthy. While you are eating calcium-rich foods, you might want to reduce the amount of soda you drink.

Remember if you have mobility problems or are in a chair, your lack of weight-bearing exercise increases your risk. Because I am an MSer with severe osteoporosis, I sometimes write about osteoporosis on this ms site. Here are previous posts on Vicki's Blog and Down the MS Path.

Taking care of yourself includes taking care of your bones.

technorati tags: osteoporosis, ms, multiplesclerosis, downthemspath, healthcare

Is MS Caused by Epstein Barr?

Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) has long been suspected as a possible cause for MS. Dr. John W. Lindsey at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston focuses his research on MS. In a study with one particular genotype of EBV, no relationship was found. To read the abstract, scroll down on the page.

Well, that's one down. I don't know how many more genotypes they have to eliminate before they find a relationship -- if there is a relationship to be found. Keep looking!

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, msresearch, epsteinbarrvirusandms, downthemspath, universityoftexashealthsciencecenter

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drjohnwlindsey

Another Directory

Doctor's Guide is a site of links including a doctor's guide, medline, and congressional resource center.

There are all types of medical news and alerts articles. I read that this site is used by doctors preparing for an interview, but I think it's potentially useful to the non-doctors among us, too. The congressional resource lists conferences categorized in medical specialties. Medical resources include a list of patient resources.

It also has more than 2000 peer-reviewed, general medicine journals. Some have searchable text online and audio summaries by the authors.

Register to receive notice of peer-reviewed literature, case studies, webcasts and more.

technorati tags: doctor'sguide, medicalconferences, patientresources, downthemspath

Sassy Shoes

Shirl the Girl left a comment on the Party Girls talking about sassy, sexy shoes. As I started responding to her comment, I found I was writing too much for a comment response so I thought it would be more appropriate as a post. Here it is --

Sassy shoes - Wear them if you have them.

When I was walking -- long, long ago -- and started falling for no reason and with no warning, I fell one rainy, sloppy day getting out of the car. My hose were ripped, my leg was scraped, slightly bloody and muddy. I was going to a meeting that I was to chair, including clients and people who worked for me.

In those days I was a stickler for being on time, so I took off my heels and walked in stocking feet over the wet pavement into the elevator, down the hall into the meeting. As I opened the door, there was chuckling and someone inside said, "It's about time." Then they saw me as the door opened wider, I must have been a site because a heavy silence filled the room. The meeting began only a few minutes late.

That evening I went shopping for flats.

That was the last time I wore heels. I had some really good shoes, professional, sexy, sassy, and I was sorry to see them gone from my closet. Someone got a fantastic bargain of expensive, gently worn shoes, and I entered a new phase of my life a couple of inches shorter.

As a former fashionista, I envy Shirl's ability to wear sassy shoes, applaud her willingness to do so, but caution her -- please be careful. I was lucky it was only a scrape, albeit a visibly messy one.

I hadn't thought of this until I wrote a personal "What it means to be disabled." I'm pretty good about not dwelling in deep personal thinking of what life used to be, until a fleeting memory brings with it an entire scene like this one. It was kind of sad, kind of funny, somewhat traumatic at the time. Now it is a mere sliver of a memory of days in another life.

technorati tags: downthemspath, shoes,

MSers Can Be Party Girls, Too

I am often surprised how little people know about MS. I'm not sure why it surprises me, because I knew very little before I was diagnosed and started reading about it. So why am I surprised?

Every year there are events to increase awareness, and then there are more awareness events. Last year there was an advertising campaign in the UK to raise awareness and correct some misconceptions about this condition, and it featured pictures of women's legs and feet.

Now we meet the ladies themselves. The four woman whose legs were featured call themselves the MS Party Girls. Each tells their first experiences with MS. I think the ad campaign showed that MSers are still regular people.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, downthemspath, msawareness,

This One's for You, Merelyme

On International Day of Disabled Persons, December 2, you left a comment suggesting I write a post about Disability. I may be slow, but I did it.

It is in two sections. First, I covered the definition from a legal viewpoint - ADA, SS, organizations. That post "Am I Disabled?" is on Disaboom. When I finished writing this one, I didn't feel finished with this topic.

I struggled with the next part, a more personal perspective. I had not ever gone through this particular thought train before, at least not in this detail. While writing this, so many thoughts kept jumping in my mind and bringing their friends. The story grew longer, and then another memory popped up and the story grew again. I finally pulled out my editor's pen and cut it to a manageable size. "What It Means to Me to be Disabled" is now posted on Disaboom.

This was a good exercise and probably healthy, too. Thanks for the suggestion.

technorati tags: downthemspath, disaboom, disability,

Good Mission -- Good Fun

Leonard Cheshire Disability's mission is to change attitudes to disability and to serve disabled people around the world.

They support 21,000 disabled people in the UK and work through a Global Alliance of non-governmental organizations in 52 countries. They caution that disability rights should not be a political football.

Now the fun part --
In working to change the way people respond to disability, Leonard Cheshire Disability has created an ad campaign using animations working through everyday situations of disabled people. The messages are voiced by disabled people and acted by Creature Discomforts animations. They are cute and entertaining while making their points. Enjoy the ads and learn about the characters. In keeping with the accessibility message, the ads have subtitles or signing available with a single click.

technorati tags: creaturediscomforts, leonardcheshiredisability, downthemspath, disability

Teenage Blogging MSer

Patsy was diagnosed with MS just last year at the tender age of 14, one of the youngest MSers in the UK. She was asked by a local newspaper to write a blog telling how MS affects her schooling, social life, and feelings. She hopes it will help others who find themselves in a similar situation.

My first symptom showed up when I was in my 30's and I was diagnosed at 40. It's hard to imagine learning to live with MS while trying to get through the normal angst that often accompanies teen life. So far she has managed to maintain a positive attitude.

Good luck, Patsy! Read about her adventures at Purely Patsy.

technorati tags: youngmser, childrenwithms, multiplesclerosis, downthemspath