MS Superstars

Thanks to the MS Superstars raising money at Run to the Beat Half Marathon today.

News - Fewer Injection Site Reactions In Patients Using AVONEX

I can echo this one from personal experience!

Fewer Injection Site Reactions In Patients Using AVONEX Versus Sub-cutaneous Interferon And Glatiramer Acetate For The Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis

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Another trip to the Neuro

Last week I had another scheduled visit with my Neuro. A little swifter than normal as he had insisted on a quick follow up to make sure that the anti-depressants took effect. I was the first appointment of the day (which is always good as punctuality isn't his strong point!) and after losing his favourite pen and complaining about the coffee we got down to business.

We ran through the usual list of suspects to gauge the status/progress of my MS. A lot of these always seem a little too personal; especially when you are asked about bladder and bowels! These are things no-one likes to think about too much even more talk about... but problems in this area are a fact of life with MS for a lot of people. I've had trouble with my bladder for years, only in as much as it is a bit weak so I use the delightful 'light incontinence' pads (a little like panty liners). Problem solved. The last few weeks I've also had some bowel difficulty - mostly 'urgency'. MS or just some bug in my system? Time will tell. Too much information... perhaps?! That is MS.

We went through the rest of the status indicators - mood (better than before); memory and cognition (not so good, especially memory which is now beyond poor). He asked me about "this monster" (my poor stick!) and I told him that I had it with my all the time if I was out and about - especially as lately I have had several falls even with the stick. Oh the indignity. I was walking along Albermarle Street (Mayfair, dahling) when I toppled over and a kind lady helped me up. Again in Mayfair Place a couple of days later I tumbled, this time losing my glasses in the process (thank goodness they weren't broken).

The Neuro expressed concern that after so many years stability the disease appeared to be progressing - or perhaps relapsing. I told him that I have these little problems all the time on and off it just depends when I'm seeing him.

I was quite pleased as he dictated the letter that my EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) Score had gone from 5 to 6. Pleased until I looked it up later and discovered that 0 is normal and the higher the score the worse the result.

I was discharged with an appointment for twelve months time and instructions to keep taking the anti-depressants until at least early winter. Best of all, as I only had bloods done when I saw the nurse a few months earlier I escaped without that horror this time (last time I passed out, it dulls my enthusiasm).

What Is Ataxia? What Causes Ataxia?

For the last couple of years Ataxia has been a constant and unchanging part of my life. It is what causes my balance problems and shaking hands (and by the looks of it my cold feet too!).

What Is Ataxia? What Causes Ataxia?

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News - Blood test to predict the course of MS

News of a possible biological indicator to predict the course of MS is reported on the MS website. On the one hand not knowing what is going to happen next is one of the worst things about MS... but would you want to know if the news was going to be bad?

Multiple Sclerosis Society Website - Welcome to the MS Society - EBV and MS

News - MS and Smoking

If you didn't already know that smoking was bad for you, here is one more reason to kick the evil weed.

Smoking Linked To Increased Brain Lesions And Brain Shrinkage In MS

Odd mini-relapse

What a strange experience I had the last couple of days. On Monday I noticed that my tounge didn't feel quite right. I thought nothing more of it... until Rich asked me later if I had toothache as my jaw looked funny and my voice sounded strange. I then noticed that yes, my voice did sound strange. Reason - the end of my tounge wasn't doing what I was telling it. All muscle control vanished... only from the tip - which meant that I couldn't form 'L's or 'R's. Rich told me I sounded like Elmer Fudd! I told him it wasn't kind to mock the afflicted.

After a great deal more mocking at work the next day I rang my MS nurse and asked her whether this latest strange development was caused by MS. Possible she told me, but extremely unusual. If it isn't better on Wednesday she further told me, I'd better come and see the Neuro.

Fortunately this morning I woke up and my tounge was back as it should be after about 36 hours of odd behaviour the tip was freed from being tied to my lower teeth and I could poke out the end of my tounge again! All's well that ends well. Very strange though, not at all in the normal order of things.