MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'health life'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:04:33 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050574&cid=t_160840_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmore-bad-news-about-the-obesity-epidemic-in-america%2F2011.07.22 A report released recently by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America’s Health issued some grim warnings about the current and future state of the U.S.’s obesity epidemic. Bluntly titled “F is for fat: How obesity threatens America’s future 2011,” the report found that obesity rates rose in 16 states since 2010 and that more than 30% of people are obese in 12 states, compared with one state just four years ago. The South is still the worst-faring region—nine out of 10 states with the highest obesity rates are located there. The report compared today’s data with data from 20 years ago, when no state’s obesity rate exceeded 15%. Now, only one state—Colorado—has a rate below 20%. The report also points out that d... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050574 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:00:00 +0100 5050574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4677152&cid=t_160840_180_f&fid=38619&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FALifeCoachsBlog%2F%7E3%2Fay0mw7zyjIA%2F For the last week or so I’ve been pondering writing a long post about all sorts of issues I’ve had regarding my health spanning back 25 years. It would definitely be a warts and all account that may turn some people off and come across as somewhat self indulgent and maybe a bit too personal even for a Life Coach that likes spilling the beans. My reason for considering it is because whether we like it or not, health is part of self development. It’s pointless understanding your values, knowing how to reframe or being a brilliant rapport builder if you’re dead. Trust me, dead people don’t really care about such skills. The reason I’m now considering doing this, is because after years of treating various problems independently I finally found out recently that they are... Life Coach Blog: The Discomfort Zone : blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4677152 Sun, 03 Apr 2011 22:37:21 +0100 4677152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642802&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fa-cache-of-ms-information-in-our-archives%2F At different times in the history of multiple sclerosis, researchers reach back into the annals of our disease to see if there are answers overlooked. It seems that every decade or so a “new” idea is touted and based on (sometimes, centuries) old theories and ideas as to the cause, course, and even “cure” for multiple sclerosis. There are bloggers who will comb through historic records to help prove/disprove current thoughts about how MS “works” and why we should/shouldn’t do-believe-follow-think one thing or another. I’m fine with all of that, save the “how to think” part! I’ll leave the heavy lifting to the researchers that my donations go to fund. I feel no need to be an MS KIA (Know It All) when it comes to the disease of multiple sclerosis. What I do find helpful... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642802 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:07:23 +0100 4642802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4275452&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2F111th-senate-lets-down-ms-and-parkinsons-patients%2F As a former member of the United States Coast Guard who served with a number of gay men and women closeted by our country’s ban on them serving openly, I was very happy with the U.S. Senate’s passage this weekend of the repeal of “Don’t Ask – Don’t Tell” (DADT). I am not, however, very happy with our legislators for failing to take up the cause of those of us living with multiple sclerosis (and our Parkinson’s disease cousins). The bill’s short title, “National MS and Parkinson’s Disease Registry Act,” was much easier to understand than its longer title, which included “National Surveillance System” in it… In September of this year, the U.S. House of Representatives took to the floor and later passed its version of the bill (H.R. 1362) and sent it over to the ... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4275452 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:27:33 +0100 4275452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253470&cid=t_160840_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F13%2Fcushings-syndrome%2F Over-eating isn’t always to blame for people who struggle with extra weight. For some, the weight may come from health complications and disease. Cushing’s syndrome is a health problem that affects 2-10 people per million. For those who are diagnosed, it is a serious issue for many of their organs and systems,and can cause weight gain. Hypercortisolism is when levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) are elevated for a long period of time, which is the cause of Cushing’s syndrome. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands and is responsible for many mechanisms in the body, including blood pressure regulation, maintaining cardiovascular function, response to stress and metabolism regulation for fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Because of the vast array of responsibilities, excess cor... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253470 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:02:23 +0100 4253470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4152036&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fms-research-results-in-from-europe%2F The European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRMS) met last month to discuss the latest MS breakthroughs. You can see the full list of abstracts on MS research presented at the October 13-16 meetings, or check out an overview on the National MS Society’s Research Page. While a number of reports are posted from researchers testing new MS Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT) drugs, there are also many interesting findings published on the mechanics of MS which are changing the way researchers think of progressive forms of the disease. In addition, several researchers reported findings on the various symptoms of multiple sclerosis. No doubt the most anticipated results to be discussed at ECTRMS were the initial findings of those looking into CCSVI (chronic cerebrosp... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4152036 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:36:55 +0100 4152036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4122106&cid=t_160840_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F28%2Fthe-skinny-on-alcohol%2F If you’re trying maintain a healthy balance in your life, it may seem that every time out for drinks with your friends could be a calorie disaster! Sugar-laden mixes push most standard cocktails well over 300 calories. Did you know that an 8-ounce pina colada can pack in 640 calories? Thats 100 calories more than a Quarter Pounder with cheese! Meanwhile, 8 oz of a Long Island iced tea tips the scale at 780 calories. But you don’t have to become a recluse to avoid these sugar bombs. Follow these tips and you’ll be in tip-top shape. source Ask Yourself-do you really need that drink? Try to limit yourself to only a couple drinks per week. There is no nutritional benefit to liquor, so each gram of alcohol provides 7 ‘empty’ calories. Not only will the drink up yo... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4122106 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 11:14:24 +0100 4122106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3740689&cid=t_160840_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F09%2Fpersonalized-life-extension-conference-curetogether-discount%2F If you’re interested in living a longer, healthier life, here’s your chance to learn about the latest research, meet other enthusiasts, and save money too. Christine Peterson is hosting the first Personalized Life Extension Conference, October 9-10 at the San Francisco Airport Marriott. She is offering a $100 discount on the $275 registration price to all CureTogether members who register with the discount code “CureTogether”. From the conference website: “Topics to be covered in lectures, Q&A, and during meals and breaks include: Supplements: Should we be taking resveratrol, vitamin D3, fish oil, coenzyme Q10, acetyl-L-carnitine, melatonin, DHEA, and many others? Benefits, costs, risks, and supplement advisors to consider. DNA testing: Costs are coming do... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3740689 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:09:52 +0100 3740689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3588964&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fms-and-menopause%2F MS affects so many parts of our daily life. I wonder how much of our daily lives affect our multiple sclerosis… There is proof that diet and exercise can help improve symptoms of MS and a growing body of evidence that what we do may change, on at least some small level, the course of our actual disease. Even if it’s written off as “a healthy body recovers faster”, that’s at least something! Of course some things happen to our bodies, over which we have little to no control, which can have significant effect on our symptoms and disease. Infection/fever and pregnancy come to mind. My diagnosing MRI revealed a massive sinus infection; the fever from which made the flair so much worse (bad enough to make me go to the doctor). The issue of pregnancy and its confounding effect on a wo... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3588964 Fri, 21 May 2010 19:27:37 +0100 3588964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3564106&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Ffinding-your-limits-in-a-life-with-chronic-pain%2F There are few subjects we haven’t covered in the four years of this blog’s existence but there are certain themes which keep recurring as we wind our way through life with this “load” of chronic pain on our backs. We aren’t inanimate objects, groceries on a shelf going stale, produce in a bin rotting away with each hour; no, we’re human beings with lives, families and homes. We have chores, jobs, and other responsibilities to fulfill each day. Many of us have stopped working for remuneration but we still have work to do. We live, surrounded by a world that sheds, grows, blows dust, sheds skin, gets hungry, and often needs fixing. The constant issue which keeps arising in our lives is how much to do, how far to go and what is safe for us. How do you find your limits? How do you ... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3564106 Fri, 14 May 2010 01:50:00 +0100 3564106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3519582&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fyour-opinion-matters-to-pharma-and-to-me%2F Our earlier post about ethics has really stirred up a conversation!  I knew I could count on our multiple sclerosis community for thoughtful debate on this as a specific topic.  You always come through! If you hadn’t noticed in my comment to Jane D I have decided that I will not be attending the group mentioned. The broader question, really, is what we want from the pharmaceutical companies (other than the obvious).  We’ve had a bit of a conversation about this before and your comments were, again, thoughtful.  I’d like to open that up again. For your information (if not disclosure) I am going to Skype into part of their discussion to give my/our opinions.  This way, not only will I not be accepting travel, I’m actually going to have to look presentable for a video conference ... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3519582 Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:32:59 +0100 3519582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515517&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fthe-art-of-living-with-ms%2F “Nature abhors a vacuum”, Rabelas said; and so do I! Multiple sclerosis has carved our big gaping chunks from our lives; be it our career, family, activity or some other joy-giving entity.  MS leaves holes; some large some now so.  How to fill them? That question was one of the first to enter my mind once the initial slide abated (read about 6 months post Dx).  It’s still one with which I struggle and suspect that many others do as well. For me, writing, gardening, and volunteer work with the National MS Society (along with the extra time everything seems to take with MS) have filled much of the time I used to spend working; but not all of it.  I’ve learned that many people with MS have turned to art (in many forms) to not only fill the void of available time but to help either... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515517 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:13:50 +0100 3515517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499196&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fethics-big-pharma-and-ms%2F When it comes to living a life with Multiple Sclerosis, the Life With MS Blog community has made mine much more bearable.  This blog, however, is not about me.  As I stated over 4 years ago, in our first posting, “It’s all about you!” So today, I’d like to bring up an important question.  I need to know what you want from this blogger; it’s a bit of an ethical dilemma for me. As our community has grown, so has our visibility to the greater MS world.  It is not simply patients and their loved ones who visit this blog.  More and more, I am approached by the members of the broader MS community; service organizations, other bloggers, care providers, medicos, pharmaceutical companies, etc… In the past, it has been pretty easy to stay above the fray, as it were. I simply used wh... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499196 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:18:07 +0100 3499196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429326&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fwhat-excellent-ms-care-looks-like%2F   ‘Hello, I’m Trevis and I’ll be your veins today!’ My parents’ (or was it my grandparents’?) generation is the one which coined the phrase, “We were poor; we just didn’t know it because everyone else was too…” Well, I had always thought I was getting excellent service/treatment at infusion centers… until I really had excellent service/treatment! On Monday I went in for my last dose of Novantrone, as I posted that day.  The overall experience I had was leaps and bounds beyond any infusion center I’ve ever encountered. I’ve always considered myself pretty well informed, as a patient.  In the first 5 minutes of conversation with my chemo nurse, I was told everything I already knew about the treatment. You may think that was a waste of time.  Thin... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429326 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:51:53 +0100 3429326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3411196&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fms-care-partners%2F There is a lot of Politically Correct language out there in the world of multiple sclerosis and disabilities in general. One of the terms bantered about is “Care Partner”.  This replaces caregiver and other terms deemed by some to be demeaning and misunderstood.  I like “care partner” as it gives a sense that people are in the thing together and working in tandem. I’ve thought that Caryn will be a good care partner to me if and when my MS progresses “that far”.  Then, a couple of weeks ago, I had something of an epiphany.  She already is my care partner…even when I don’t think I need care! Those of us who live with this disease at any stage, be it in remission or in the midst of a full-on attack, rely on others in our everyday lives.  Caryn lives with my MS every si... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3411196 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:25:13 +0100 3411196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3374261&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fweakness-in-the-hands-and-the-price-of-dishes%2F I’m dropping things! Pre-diagnosis, back in my 20’s, I simply thought I was clumsy.  I’d trip on exposed tree roots on a hike.  I’d slip and fall down the stairs.  Rugs (and cats) became my introduction to the floor more than once and oh, the glassware I’ve broken… That was then; this is now and I’m still dropping things. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve noticed that I’m sweeping up more broken glass and porcelain than I have in a while.  Wine glasses (empty, thank goodness, up to this point) seem to have an additional gravitational pull these days.  Plates (not all empty, unfortunately) have simply flung from my hand as I turned.  The cost of toothbrushes I’ve had to replace is starting to need its own line in my budget. The incidents are not coincidence.  I ... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3374261 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:14:44 +0100 3374261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354467&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fnaturopathy-and-ms%2F Today, I am keeping one of my New Year’s Resolutions! I am packing myself off to see a new doctor for my MS (and for my whole health).  Today I’m off to see a Naturopath. For well over 2 years, I’ve had the very good intentions of adding Naturopathy to my medical regimen.  For just as long, I’ve found reasons not to make the appointments.  It’s not like it was difficult; there is a wonderful clinic not 5 miles from my house with NDs who have a keen interest in multiple sclerosis (in fact, the clinic chief is recommended by my MS neurologist!) I’m not using Naturopathy as an alternative to more standard “western medicine”.  Rather, I intend to augment and compliment my other MS treatments/procedures with the practice. I’m sure that the battery of lab work will expos... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354467 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:45:45 +0100 3354467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346595&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fms-awareness-week-are-you-ready%2F Even though World MS Day is still more than a month away (May 26th), this is MS Awareness Week in North America. It’s time to dust off the talking points, break out the MS buttons and get ready to answer questions. There will be television adverts, billboards and radio PSAs this week which could afford each of us to speak about MS this week. I know that here in Seattle, our chapter of the NMSS (which has just recently been expanded to support people living with MS in Alaska) has a new “Is It MS?” campaign which has been stirring up questions and conversations…and doctor’s appointments It’s not like each and every one of us has to give a press conference or stand on an overpass waving an “I Have MS; Ask Me!” banner. But, I think we owe it to ourselves and to one another to b... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346595 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:16:24 +0100 3346595 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3306982&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Flatest-ccsvi-results-raise-a-question%2F We’ve had a few postings here at Life with MS on the topic of CCSVI and they’ve all stirred a spirited debate. Well, as I was re-reading the latest research results something new stirred inside my brain. Unlike Dr Zamboni’s original research findings, wherein none of the “non-MS” subjects showed signs of CCSVI, this (more extensive and single blinded) study showed over a quarter of non-MS patients also living with CCSVI. While everyone is focusing on the 55%-62% (depending on which way you read the results) of people living with MS who show signs of CCSVI, I’d like to know more about the nearly 26% of “healthy” subjects who exhibit signs of something that was heretofore thought to be (nearly) exclusive of people living with multiple sclerosis. Don’t get me... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3306982 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:09:21 +0100 3306982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283722&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fwe-need-information-not-hype-on-ccsvi%2F CCSVI, CCSVI, CCSVI.  For the past three months, the world of multiple sclerosis world has been turned on its ear with discussions of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI). The concept broached by Italian medical doctor and professor, Dr. Paolo Zamboni, was a reexamination of several old theories (with significantly more sophisticated equipment) as to the relationship/correlation of tiny iron deposits in and around MS lesions. While Dr. Zamboni and his team of researchers presented academic papers showing a unique similarity (dubbed CCSVI) in 100 percent of MS patients they studied, these publications called for further investigation within the peer-review system.  Dr. Zamboni’s specialty is the vascular system and hence began experimental treatment of these patients with ... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283722 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:32:44 +0100 3283722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3156577&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fa-controversial-new-cure-for-multiple-sclerosis%2F By this time, you may be wondering if I’ve taken my finger off the pulse of MS research.  It’s been over two months since Canadian television broadcast a “breaking story” about Italian Dr. Paulo Zamboni and his vascular “cure” for multiple sclerosis.  Where have I been on the topic? This subject intrigues me greatly, I’ll admit.  It also frightens me more than minutely and I am still gathering information.  That said, I wanted to open up the lines of communication about the topic today. A brief history for those who may not have heard the news: In 2008, Dr. Zamboni and his research colleagues began publishing findings  referencing something called chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).   In other words, constriction of the blood vessels leaving the brain a... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3156577 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:34:11 +0100 3156577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3129461&cid=t_160840_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F30%2Fjournal-of-public-health-2009-vol-31-no-4%2F This article looks at a longitudinal study which attempts to determine whether death and disability by the fifth decade are strongly associated with antisocial behaviour at an early age. (Print subscription held at Fade Library) Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Anti-Social Behaviour, Ill Health, Life Expectancy, Premature Death (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3129461 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:39:02 +0100 3129461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3118982&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fwishing-all-of-you-a-memorable-christmas-song%2F We may be maimed, sore and hurting but our hearts and minds are, for the most part, intact; that is if you don’t use too strict a sliding scale of rationality. When assessing ourselves, I think we’re allowed to be a little “loosey Goosey”, don’t you? Our Christmas celebrations may change, our festivities become more simplistic and our pockets more lean but we still have our memories, our friends and families who love us and whom we can love in return. I sometimes wonder if it’s better to love or to be loved. I guess you’re a winner both ways. One good thing about being older is all the memories of Christmas past. I’m old enough to especially remember all the wonderful, silly and often beautiful songs of past years. It’s funny how some of them stay with you even though you... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3118982 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:45:22 +0100 3118982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3079465&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Feditors-note-a-sue-update%2F I wanted to give everyone a quick update.   Sue has acquired a virus that seems to have spread to her eyes.  She is having problems with blurred vision today and is unable to write a blog entry.  Sue is such a fighter and loves this community so you know it takes a lot to make her miss a day on the blog.  Please wish her well and a speedy recovery.  We’re all pulling for you Sue! Take care everyone, -Natalie @ Everyday Health (Source: Life with Chronic Pain) Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3079465 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:24:18 +0100 3079465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3015387&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fneuropathic-pain-from-multiple-sclerosis%2F Multiple sclerosis can hurt! Pain is a real part of life with MS for over half of us. Pain can come in several forms and affect several areas of the body.  The pain I’d like to proffer for our consideration in this post is called neuropathic pain or neuropathy. This is a pain which is caused by a dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system (PNS).  Owing to the fact that we have a disease of the central nervous system (CNS), many of us may not be familiar with the PNS. These are the nerves which connect the limbs and organs to the CNS. While there is not suspected demyelination of the PNS, the stripping and scaring of neurons and axons in the CNS is thought to cause misfiring of signals from the PNS, which then tell the brain that we are feeling pain in an uninjured part of the body. I... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3015387 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:11:58 +0100 3015387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989295&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fyour-owners-manual-for-a-life-with-chronic-pain%2F Your body is not warranted against defective workmanship or defective parts. No additional person, priest, minister or even your Mama, may issue you an extended warranty. You are to use your body according to the package directions or what your parents taught you to do. This also applies to learning from school teachers. You have a responsibility to learn, grow and behave. In case of defect, you can not return the product to the manufacturer. You’re on your own. Defective genes or other defects brought on by damaged DNA are blamed on God and considered natural disasters. Please keep a copy of your date of purchase or date of birth. You will need it when you have to fill out reams of repetitious paperwork in the coming years. We recommend your product, or body should be insured at all tim... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989295 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:05:03 +0100 2989295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977449&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fa-new-warning-label-for-tysabri%2F Tysabri has been a popular topic here on the Life with MS Blog for several years.  In fact, one post on the subject has nearly 1300 comments and is still an active source for people taking or thinking about taking the drug more than three years after we posted that blog. Events of this past month, and this past weekend specifically, bring the topic to the fore once again. In early October of this year, the pharmaceutical companies which make and market Tysabri were acknowledging 13 cases of the rare and potentially fatal condition progressive multifocal eukoencephalopathy (PML) Last week it was disclosed that an additional 10 cases of PML were reported (most of them in Europe; in fact, most of the now 24 reported cases are in European MS patients).  To say that finding information on any... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977449 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:23:10 +0100 2977449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954673&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fvoting-and-multiple-sclerosis%2F Worry not!  This isn’t a blog posting about something/someone I think you should or should not vote for.  Rather, I want to bring up the topic of voting, as in the act of going to the polls. I’ve always enjoyed the experience of going to my local polling place on Election Day. When I could, I would walk to the polls, stand on line (sometimes for great periods of time), cast my vote, and walk home a fully engaged member of the Republic. Now, however, my county is 100% vote by mail for all elections. I’m not going to say I don’t miss the activity of fulfilling my civic duty alongside and shoulder to shoulder with my fellow precinct members.  I’m also not totally sold on the idea as far as being able to factor in eleventh-hour information into my vote. As a person with a disabili... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954673 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:49:15 +0100 2954673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2931138&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fnatural-treatment-for-multiple-sclerosis%2F For many years now, I’ve been hearing stories of and from people who have sworn off any of the MS drug treatments.  For some, it’s an economic decision, as they just can’t find a way to pay for their drugs.  For others, none of the drugs seem to work for them or the side effects were worse than their disease had been.  Some I’ve heard from feel like they have had multiple sclerosis for so long that the drugs wouldn’t do them any good now.  The final grouping of folks I’ve heard about/from are making a conscious choice to go off their disease modifying therapies to go a more natural route. I have always been intrigued by people’s reasoning to this.  Modern medical science has given us a shot at a more normal life; why wouldn’t one take that shot? The simple answer is th... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2931138 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:17:49 +0100 2931138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2865817&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fa-closer-look-at-a-notorious-ms-symptom-numbness%2F When you read about MS symptoms you always find the words: fatigue and tingling.  Not far behind those symptoms you will find the word: numbness. For those who endure neuropathic pain or beyond annoying “bumble bees” in your extremities, the idea of numbness may seem the lesser of evils but perhaps the grass just appears to be greener? One of my best pals in the multiple sclerosis world lives with some pretty aggressive numbness (and simply putting those two words together seems odd).  My own issues with numb sensations seem to see-saw between areas that go from numb to painfully hypersensitive in a flash. When this friend and I were at a program for men with MS, sponsored by the National MS Society, we both found out something very interesting, and a bit disheartening. There are “... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2865817 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:44:52 +0100 2865817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851933&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fmultiple-sclerosis-and-being-prepared%2F Just about everyone I know grew up understanding the concept of spring cleaning.  After a long winter of short days and long, cold nights in which the home becomes something of a hibernation chamber, a top-to-bottom scrub and re-org seems appropriate. I look at much of life through a different, health-skewed lens, and think that fall cleaning makes more sense to me. Over the past several years of taking medications for my multiple sclerosis, I’ve learned the art of preparation.  Knowing it or not, I think we’ve all learned something about being prepared from our MS. I learned to have plenty of OTC antiinflammatory drugs in the drawer when I was on interferon therapy.  When Novantrone would take me out of circulation for a week or so, I learned to make sure the house was stocked with... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851933 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:59:48 +0100 2851933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2824300&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fyou-cant-have-it-all-in-a-life-of-chronic-pain%2F I don’t know that I’ve ever literally walked a fence, but it is a descriptive phrase which I like to use. It so beautifully describes the balancing act; the teeter-totter effect of parsing out energy, in a life lived with chronic pain. That’s how I feel, so many days, when choices of activities have to be made; armed only with the skeletal form of who we used to be and the vital parts we have left. We find ourselves choosing, very carefully what we can, want and are able to do. There is no more running around like crazy fulfilling everyone’s expectations. There is no more being all things to all men, women and children who have their expectations of us. We know, those of us with chronic painful problems that we can no longer “have it all.” I’m not certain anyone truly does ha... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2824300 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:31:56 +0100 2824300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2807760&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fexercise-take-it-wherever-you-can-get-it%2F Listen carefully and you can hear birds twittering, magic umbrellas opening and My Fair Lady in a black dress as she descends, gliding to earth. It’s Mary Poppins and she taught us all a valuable lesson; that “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” We know exercise is good for us, both for our heart and lungs as well as keeping us moving in the right direction. Sometimes any direction is welcome, as long as we’re moving. When you live with chronic pain, each day of your life and any amount of exercise can appear to be overwhelming, especially the big, sweat inducing, body jarring acts such as running, jogging, or dancing. Many sports fit into this category of body jarring activity, also, such as tennis. We talk about many of those types of activities but in our heart of h... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2807760 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:50:54 +0100 2807760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2789098&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fmultiple-sclerosis-and-relationships%2F Sometimes multiple sclerosis puts you (at least me) into a position you might not expect… I have been asked to sit on an advisory committee which is putting together a retreat for couples where one partner has multiple sclerosis (I must admit the hilarity as I’ve had three remarkably unsuccessful relationships since my diagnosis)! Reading the pre-registration surveys that these folks filled out was a real eye-opener!!! The place where each side of these relationship equations “lives” is hardly balanced.  For example; when asked if they felt there was a “health balance” in their relationship, the partners with multiple sclerosis answered 75 percent Yes.  The partners without MS only answered 50 percent in the affirmative. When asked “why” they thought the relationship was ... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2789098 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:48:58 +0100 2789098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2786176&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Farthritis-is-so-much-more-than-daily-pain%2F There are over a hundred different types of arthritis. You can have one type or a combination of them, such as mixed connective tissue disease. Today I’d like to share with you a few of my personal impressions of what it is to live with arthritis. Most days it’s like riding a wet horse, bareback in the rain. You try to hang on but you fear you could fall off at any time and fear the consequences. You often feel like you’re coming down with the flu but you know you couldn’t have the flu that often and struggle to live with that yucky feeling while fulfilling what life demands, one day at a time. Since you’re immune deficient due to one or more of your medications, you must avoid others who are coughing, sneezing, dripping or hacking. You know if you become chilled it will take hou... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2786176 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:12:21 +0100 2786176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782189&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fa-chance-to-give-your-opinion-on-ms-research%2F This week, I was contacted by a researcher on the topic of MS and genetics.  Her name is Virginia Hughes and she is presenting to a panel of experts next week.  The reason for her contact was to ask YOU about MS! She is conducting an online survey of people, living with MS and their families.  The information is, obviously, confidential and will further multiple sclerosis research by informing researchers about where WE would like to see the field of personal genomics go, in respect to our disease. I have a crazy busy day today, but made time to take this survey.  It’s only a few questions long and it wasn’t painful at all! I ask you to go to the survey site and answer her questions.  Then, if you’re feeling particularly helpful, pass the link on to friends and family in the MS ... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782189 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:08:21 +0100 2782189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2778567&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fnever-give-up-in-a-life-of-chronic-pain%2F The other day I was down in our basement taking out the trash. Much to my surprise I was smacked in the face by a very long branch from a rosebush. It was about six feet in length, pale yellow with only a hint of green, yet still very thorny. I’m always intrigued by events such as this because they are so unusual. It seems that very old, extremely tall climbing pale golden rose that grows on the side of our house, had found its way through two boards on the side of the house. There it was, tiny leaves intact as it sought space, air and sunlight which it was definitely not going to find in a usually dark basement. I remember something similar happening years ago when my children were young and we lived in a large double-wide mobile home. The skirting around the bottom portion could not ke... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2778567 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:00:05 +0100 2778567 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2766172&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fdealing-with-negativity-in-a-life-of-chronic-pain%2F In this experience we sometimes laughingly call life; there are definitely two categories of individuals. There are the glass half-empty folks; then there are the glass half-full ones. For me, the glass half-empty folks who are burdened down with negativity can cause some very real problems. A couple of people in my life are very negative and one of them in particular can turn my day around by throwing so much negative energy my way I can only “fall” to the ground and cover my head with my arms. Of course, I don’t actually do that, but you get the picture. Just like that little kid in Peanuts, Pigpen, who never bathes, these individuals always have a veil or cloud of negativity hanging all around them. You don’t want any of that cloud to spill onto you. There are some days that clo... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2766172 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:06:04 +0100 2766172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2699792&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2F10-most-common-questions-im-asked-about-chronic-pain%2F 1.  WHY ME AND NOT SOMEONE ELSE? Not that we want anyone else to have to experience the life of daily pain, but we do often wonder, in our heart of hearts. When we’re alone in the dark we speculate, why us? Each of us must reach our own answers. Run, do not walk, from anyone who intimates it’s from “sin”, “evil” or some payback for something you did. That is ignorance pure and simple. 2.  HOW AM I GOING TO FACE A LIFE LIKE THIS EACH AND EVERY DAY? I know, that’s a rough one. I have often wondered how I was going to live with pain each day, just like you. First of all, you might not have a choice. It’s a good thing to face it and not have false hope about life “turning around.” That said, it doesn’t mean you give up. You just have to find a different road and a new w... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2699792 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:34:08 +0100 2699792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2639672&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fastonish-yourself-in-a-life-of-chronic-pain%2F Negativity, like fog, creeps in on little cat’s feet, until one day we are encumbered with it. It’s bad enough we have to feel crummy everyday and put up with something hurting, somewhere on these less than perfect bodies; but the damage to our spirit, our initiative and our joy in life can be far worse. It was Santayana I believe who said, “There is no cure for birth or death save to enjoy the interval.” It’s that in-between part that we get hung up on. I guess it’s like the creamy filling of life wedged between two cookies. It should be the best part. There’s an almost mystical place you can reach when your pain no longer rules your life. Even in the animal world there is dominance demonstrated; top dog and all that. Every relationship we humans experience has that same fac... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2639672 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:13:38 +0100 2639672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2613993&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fits-been-july-for-a-while-so-hows-your-ms%2F Did multiple sclerosis grab hold of my brain in the first week of the month?  Did it grab hold of yours? We usually try to open the cyber floor for an open discussion of how everyone’s doing with their MS midway through the month.  However, this month it seems to have totally slipped my mind!  Must have slipped everyone’s mind (save Rusty, but it took her a couple of weeks too)! I’m writing this at midnight (PST) and I’ve yet another busy day that begins in just a few short hours so I’ll keep this brief. As you read earlier this week, I’ve started this Low-Car Diet and EVERYTHING away from the house takes longer now.  When you couple that with the heat and the extra walking this busy week is becoming something less than pleasant. I’ll make it through… we always do. ... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2613993 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:31:06 +0100 2613993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2588377&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fits-never-too-late-in-a-life-of-chronic-pain%2F Many years ago there was a very funny movie called It’s Never Too Late. It was a story about an “older” couple who got pregnant. Late life pregnancy wasn’t as common as it is today and that’s what made it funny. So, if your life has been changed by the arrival of chronic pain, why not think about getting pregnant, no matter how old you are? GOTCHA!! Oh, what a thought. Of course, I was kidding but you can give “birth,” in a different sense, to a new life; your own. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, and as you know quite well, I’ve learned many. Your life doesn’t have to end just because you have unpleasant physical changes. I know, at first, life as you know feels as if it has ended but it has not. You are still you, in th... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2588377 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:13:43 +0100 2588377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576778&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fa-better-analogy-to-describe-an-ms-symptom%2F In the first few months of blogging on Life with MS, I made an analogy between baseball and multiple sclerosis.  I was new to blogging and, well, it probably wasn’t my best work… The other day, however, baseball and multiple sclerosis made their way into my head once again and this time…it makes perfect sense! First, let it be said that baseball is the greatest invention/sport/game/call-it-what-you-will in the history of mankind (ok, save for the printing press).  Now that we have that out of the way, I’ll explain. An early summer’s evening and I’m out in the back garden doing whatever one does on such evenings: flipping chicken on the barbecue, watering the plants, picking peas, brushing the dogs; doesn’t matter.  I’m likely to have the l... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576778 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:20:00 +0100 2576778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2528031&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fmedical-tourism-and-multiple-sclerosis%2F We’ve spoken a wee bit (and I’m talking “small” here, not bladder issues) about having to travel for multiple sclerosis treatment.  Some of our community have to drive hours to see a specialist.  In the past months, however, someone in my close MS community has taken the need to travel to a nearly bi-hemispheric level. One of the former members of Poker Night moved to browner pastures a couple of months ago (seriously, where could you find “greener” than Seattle?).  He and his wife moved to be closer to family as his disability progressed.  His multiple sclerosis has progressed in the past three years very significantly. We got word last month that he was traveling to Costa Rica, for several months, to undergo a stem cell treatment which is not appro... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2528031 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:06:31 +0100 2528031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512256&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fself-pity-is-lousy-company-in-a-life-with-chronic-pain%2F Sometimes you feel like the windshield; sometimes you feel like the bug. Which would you rather be? I know, it’s a silly question, just bear with me. I may take a circuitous route but I always take you somewhere, don’t I? If I am to answer my own question I would say I would rather be the windshield. It can recover; it can be cleaned into renewal and can appear to be all shiny and new. The bug? Well, he’s toast. There are still many days when I, and probably you, am certain you have just been smeared all over a dirty, crusty, hot windshield and you will never put all of your moving parts back together again. Remember Humpty D.? We all grew up hearing about that poor cracked egghead. Thankfully, those windshield days don’t last forever. It’s a funny thing feeli... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512256 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:19:27 +0100 2512256 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452345&cid=t_160840_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FJJDJtmODxi0%2F The following guest post comes from L. Fabry of the X-Ray Technician Schools blog. There are five zones around the world where people tend to live the longest, healthiest lives. These are called the Blue Zones. They include Sardinia, Italy; Northern Costa Rica; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, CA; and a remote Greek island. World renowned explorer and National Geographic writer, Dan Buettner believes that “we know there’s a recipe for longevity and that 75 percent is related to lifestyle, and we’re figuring it out.” Below is a list of 25 amazing health discoveries, lifestyles, and simple changes that have come from this region and can be easily done in your own home. 1. Have a purpose. By figuring out what gets you out of bed, you can achieve one of the most important keys to longevity.... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452345 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:27:39 +0100 2452345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2415599&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fwhat-kind-of-ms-medical-team-do-you-have%2F I’ve been noting a few comments lately about visits to our medical teams.  Some of you are looking at changing doctors and some are happy with your current situations.  I’ve also been reading comments about primary care providers (PCP).  Therefore, I thought we might start the week off with that topic. I see my MS specializing neurologist about every six months to a year and his nurse practitioner (again, an MS specialist) about every three months.  I see my diagnosing neurologist about once every 24 months (I use him for any paperwork I might need to have written, as my MS guy is some kind of busy.  These bi-annual check-ups make that possible).  I’m searching for a new PCP, so I haven’t seen one of them in far too long. I’ve got other medical professionals on my team, but... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2415599 Mon, 18 May 2009 22:02:22 +0100 2415599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405781&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Favoiding-assistive-devices-is-not-a-good-idea%2F What a wonderful weekend in America’s Pacific Northwest!  I wrung every last bit of energy and physicality from this MS riddled body and, I’m paying for it today, but that’s okay with me.  It’s a control thing for me.  I’m much more willing to tap my own energy to the maximum on my terms than I am to let multiple sclerosis take what and when it wants. So, today (and last night, really) I’ve got a bit of a hobble when I walk. And, as always, it got me thinking… At some point, most of us have experienced some form of lower limb weakness.  This symptom can be very scary because it could mean potential disability in the future.   Such (even temporary) symptoms can be a window to a world we would much rather bypass. If such a symptom is fleeting (meaning a week or two) we ma... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405781 Mon, 11 May 2009 20:03:03 +0100 2405781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2399037&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fthe-best-advice-i-can-offer-in-a-life-of-chronic-pain%2F I know. Here she goes again; but you are curious, aren’t you? We’ve been chatting about the many ways we can make it through all of this misery and altered existence for quite awhile now. How could I possibly pick one or two pieces of advice that I think are the best? I guess it sort of sneaked up behind me today and kicked me in my, well, kicked me in my “motivation.” Sure, we have to live with pain everyday. Yes, it’s true we can no longer go to work or if we do, it’s miserable. We talk about doctors, we tackle exercise, we chat about diets and we often share questions about medications. All of that is good, important and helpful but it’s not the key to a locked up life. If I had duct tape on my mouth, which is what it would take to shut me up, and could utter only one piec... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2399037 Thu, 07 May 2009 21:54:12 +0100 2399037 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2321717&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fms-drugs-and-side-effects%2F Earlier this week I wrote about sun sensitivity and MS therapies.  It was a bright day and as mentioned in my Monday post I had planned on working in the garden.  I never did make it into the gardens that beautiful day because it was the day after the Seattle Walk MS and I spent the whole day (and the two following) recovering. As often happens, after reading some of your comments on that post it sparked a new blog topic idea: MS side effects. When we hear a drug advert on television or the radio it seems that nearly half of the time of the advert is spent on drug interactions and side effects.  “Do not take drug X if you are…”  “Tell your doctor if you are taking…” “Side effects include” (to be followed by a litany of conditions one must... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2321717 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:16:05 +0100 2321717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295061&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fthe-outrageous-price-of-ms-drugs%2F I made a trek to the pharmacy this week, to fill a couple of prescriptions for MS drugs.  It didn’t seem like an ominous day; the sun was breaking now and again from behind drizzly rain clouds and a few spring robins were twittering their song.  I even had a bit of a lilt in my hobble as I made my way in. Oh, but how the sun was blotted out later in the day when I returned to pick up my pills. When the attendant pulled the little hanger bag of pill bottles and instructions from the alphabetic rack, I noted that there were one fewer containers than I was expecting to pick up. I was advised that my insurance didn’t want to cover one of the drugs and was requesting further information from my doctor.  The pharmacist didn’t fill the prescription thinking that I might not w... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295061 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:32:45 +0100 2295061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2274143&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Flife-with-ms-three-year-anniversary%2F Three years, scores of topics, nearly 400 postings, thousands of comments, LOTS of community members and we’re just getting started! Happy anniversary to Life with MS; it’s been three years baby! I’d like to take a moment from our typical conversation to thank all of you.  It is for, with and because of you that this blog has been so successful over the past three years.  You have signed up for RSS feeds, you’ve told your friends, family and support groups to check us out and more importantly you’ve kept coming back to Life with MS over and over again. You take our information. You submit ideas for new topics. You proffer tips and advice. You leave your opinions and comments. You make Life with MS a place I like to be. Upon my return to the US after my extended stay in Ireland,... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2274143 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:34:28 +0100 2274143 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2259902&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fbearing-the-burden-of-a-life-with-chronic-pain%2F What do you do when life piles on top of you and you feel like you’ll never be able to crawl out from under? The very tools that you need are the ones that hurt, aren’t they? Wouldn’t it be lovely to stay in bed, ring the bell for your morning pills and not have a care in the world? Where is Mary Sunshine when Cruella de Ville takes charge? Do you have a temporary cure that helps you overcome? What‘s the first and then the second action you take when life becomes too much? FIRST: GETTING STARTED We all have days when life becomes too much. Many days when we awaken we are already feeling lousy and the thought of facing the coming day, well, it’s just a bit too much. You might lie in bed thinking you don’t have the energy to make that morning trip to the toilet and your legs are ... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2259902 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:26:41 +0100 2259902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2259900&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fcaffeine-and-ms-more-than-a-cup-of-coffee%2F Sitting with my morning cup of Joe, looking ahead to a busy day got me thinking of my use of caffeine, specifically coffee, to battle multiple sclerosis fatigue. I know that in the months prior to my MS diagnosis I would fade each and every day around 2:00-2:30pm.  My 3 o’clock mocha was as much a part of my business daily routine as were at least one plane flight and an uncomfortable hotel bed.  If I didn’t get my mid-afternoon jolt of caffeine and sugar, I was a dead man walking. I never bought into that whole Prokarin thing, the patch of histamine and caffeine touting itself as new multiple sclerosis therapy.  I prefer my buzz to come in a flavorful cup rather than a dermal plaster. I’m wondering, as I seem to recall more than a few comments about the topic of how much coffee/t... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2259900 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:07:05 +0100 2259900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2195235&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fwhat-ms-looks-like-in-other-parts-of-the-world%2F A long time ago on this blog I conducted an informal poll of our readers asking them where they were from.  We ended up with a number that consisted of 20 different countries; that’s some coverage! One thing I think of a lot is the prevalence (or lack thereof) of multiple sclerosis in some countries versus others.  I’ve wondered: is it possible to live in a place where no one has ever even heard of multiple sclerosis?  What is it like to try to get MS services in those places?  How hard is it to find a neurologist specializing in multiple sclerosis?  I recently found out that I’m not the only one to wonder. Last fall the World Health Organization (WHO) compiled all of its data into a very user friendly “Atlas” of MS.  This data updates a previously published version of 2006... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2195235 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:12:52 +0100 2195235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2195237&cid=t_160840_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fmaking-sure-you-dont-waste-an-ms-crisis%2F Two very different occurrences converged in my world last week and neither had anything to do with the other and very little to do with multiple sclerosis directly. Still the introspective, nerdy MS blogger in me saw a chance to make a correlation to the micro and macro of living with multiple sclerosis. The first was that I attended a statewide MS Activism Day in our capitol of Olympia (for you newbies I live in Seattle, WA). The event was sponsored by my local chapter of the National MS Society and it wasn’t an easy one. Imagine the task of lobbying our state legislators not to cut vital programs relied upon by so many living with multiple sclerosis. Like many states, Washington is facing major deficits; six billion by most estimates. Once you take away funds that can’t be touched in... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2195237 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:19:40 +0100 2195237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1984895&cid=t_160840_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D5397 Reported in the Star: More than 4,000 people, on the waiting list for the “Gift of Life” would have their wishes granted if only the organs of 7,000 who died in road accidents last year had been transplanted. To get more Malaysians to donate organs, the Government has launched a media campaign costing RM2.4mil which started yesterday. A new website has been set up, provide the public with the mechanics and details of organ donation and how one can pledge to be an organ donor. The public is also reminded not only to sign up as organ donors, but to inform family members about it. Our Health Portal page has been updated with the new website. Note that it is still currently only in BM although there is an English version button present. Hopefully the English version will be set up soon. R... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1984895 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1984895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1802751&cid=t_160840_131_f&fid=35008&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceroll.com%2F2008%2F09%2F17%2Fonline-reputation-tips-and-tricks%2F The Independent Urologist just came up with some great tips about how to protect your online reputation. I thought I should add my suggestions to the useful list: Blog and blog often. Be patient. I had 15 readers a day in December, 2006. Now I have 1-1500 visitors a day. It takes time and effort (I wrote almost 1000 posts in 2 years). Have your own website, even if you are part of a group. Create a LinkedIn profile and manage your blog properly (e.g. construct a nice about me page). Link your blog and website. Google loves self-linkage… Build your page rank professionally. Publish articles, such as review articles, in medical journals and periodicals. Summerize your ideas in Google Docs and collect your favourite links on Del.icio.us so it will be much easier to write a prope... ScienceRoll blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1802751 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:50:14 +0100 1802751 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1093159&cid=t_160840_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F199764161%2F I have been thinking about what type of list post to write here at A Hearty Life for a few days. We are having a theme type day here at our science and health channel today and our exact theme is “a top 5 holiday type list on your specific topic”. Hmm… we all know the food list, the traveling list and the what not to do list when it comes to cardiac health. So I have pondered over what would be new and fresh and useful, and have come up with the ol’ goose egg several times. But when I think about the words HEART- HOLIDAYS- HEALTH-LIFE, the same image keeps popping into my head… my family! How do I know that my heart is healthy? I take a look around and realize everything that I have and get that warm, loving, overwhelming feeling in my chest. I don’t car... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1093159 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:19:20 +0100 1093159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1049098&cid=t_160840_158_f&fid=36043&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.thirdage.com%2F%3Fp%3D1176 Last weekend my husband and I were traveling home from a mini vacation and stopped at a dinner called Grandma’s Kitchen.  We were in a small town and the patrons of this restaurant were of local color.  The meal was uneventful and the food was not very good but on the way out I spied [...] (Source: ThirdAge Blog) ThirdAge Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1049098 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:01:58 +0100 1049098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=856977&cid=t_160840_158_f&fid=36043&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.thirdage.com%2F%3Fp%3D1111 Please come visit me at www.MenAlive.com and receive your free e-booklet on relationships. It may be that I’m biased about the troubles couples are having these days. I am, after all, a psychotherapist and marriage and family counselor. People come to me every day who are suffering because they aren’t happy in their relationship. So I [...] (Source: ThirdAge Blog) ThirdAge Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=856977 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:00:51 +0100 856977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=836710&cid=t_160840_158_f&fid=36043&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.thirdage.com%2F%3Fp%3D1109 Come visit me at www.MenAlive.com and claim your free e-booklet. I’ve been married now for 27 years. I love my wife, Carlin, and feel blessed that we have weathered the storms that all long-term marriages go through. It’s wonderful to feel that we can look forward to many more years of peace, joy, and intimacy. Like [...] (Source: ThirdAge Blog) ThirdAge Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=836710 Sun, 02 Sep 2007 11:00:49 +0100 836710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=806583&cid=t_160840_87_f&fid=34980&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fightaging.org%2Farchives%2F001287.php As time moves on, scientists continue to add weight of evidence to demonstrate that ever smaller amounts of excess body fat are in fact quite bad for your health and longevity over the years. Here's another example of this sort of research: For the study, Dr. de Lemos and his colleagues examined data from the ongoing Dallas Heart Study, which is evaluating risk factors for heart disease in a large, multiethnic, urban population with a median age of 45. The new substudy focused on a group of 2,744 participants who had noninvasive imaging tests to look for early signs of plaque build-up in the arteries, which signals an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. Electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) was used to identify calcium deposits in the arteries of the he... Fight Aging! blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=806583 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 806583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=797006&cid=t_160840_125_f&fid=34819&url=http%3A%2F%2Fflapsblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D5409 The intent of this piece is found in the last two paragraphs by Dr. Charles Murray, a bought and paid Gates Foundation lackey: “The starting point is the recognition that the U.S. does not have the best health care system. There are still an awful lot of people who think it does.” Statistics can and do lie and Dr. Murray is entitled to his spin. But, it is BS to spew these opinions as fact. But “it’s not as simple as saying we don’t have national health insurance,” said Sam Harper, an epidemiologist at McGill University in Montreal. “It’s not that easy.” No, it is not that easy and Dr. Murray with a definite financial as well as political bias needs to be called out………. Technorati Tags: Life Expectancy, Health, Charles... FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=797006 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:01:16 +0100 797006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=780419&cid=t_160840_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.com%2F2007%2F08%2F04%2Fokshow-your-faces-fakers%2F                                                I’m talking about the new studies on placebo affects. According to one study done by UCLA, 30-60 percent of depressed people show improvements with placebo treatment. After eight weeks of blind testing, when the subjects were told either that they had been given a placebo or medication, the research team noted a dramatic change.The individuals taking a placebo lost all of the improvement they had made and had a recurrence of their symptoms, Leuchter said. “We believe it is reasonable to suppose that belief in treatment is an important component of the placebo response. The expectation of getting better contributed greatly to improvement.” Oh reeeeeaaaallly? Does this mean that wh... bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=780419 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:51:30 +0100 780419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=658953&cid=t_160840_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fksdescartin.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F06%2F05%2Fgrand-rounds-at-inside-surgery%2F The Grand Rounds Volume 3, Number 37 is now up at Inside Surgery. The Story Of Healing’s article can be read under Technology in Medicine and Health. Next week’s Number 38 is on at Dr. Val & The Voice of Reason. (Source: the story of healing) the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=658953 Tue, 05 Jun 2007 20:16:07 +0100 658953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651074&cid=t_160840_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fksdescartin.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F23%2F20-in-medicine-and-definitely-beyond%2F The gates have opened. The big ride is here. This next generation of communities and capacities in the internet was officially defined in 2004 as Web 2.0. One example is a blog service such as this which enables a user in one part of the world wishing to share or obtain information to do so with infinitive options and clicks available. Another example are these so-called variety of social networking sites as means to connect and possibly exchange information with again, the rest of the world. Like pointing another to an open source web-based encyclopedia called the Wikipedia. Thus, as a consequence, elementarily facilitates this faster flow of information from one part of the world to another in exponential fashion. It is aptly so that the scientific community, including of course the med... the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651074 Wed, 23 May 2007 11:21:16 +0100 651074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=620572&cid=t_160840_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.com%2F2007%2F05%2F16%2Fpsychoanalysis-i-thought-this-was-a-nude-rap-session%2F It never ceases to amaze me………the many misconceptions and abundance of misinformation about bipolar disorder. I was looking for something a little while ago and came across a very small site that someone has started about depression and bipolar disorder. I really couldn’t tell if one or several people had contributed to it. So, I cannot give credit to the person who wrote the following. Maybe, if by chance, they come upon this blog, they will identify themselves. I do like to give other people credit due to them. Anyway, here is a list of things that non-bipolar people around us say (and I know that you have heard at least one of them in your own life): “Have you been eating well?” “Maybe if you got some excercise…” “When the whol... bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=620572 Thu, 17 May 2007 00:11:20 +0100 620572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651076&cid=t_160840_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fksdescartin.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F16%2Fwii-the-big-surprise%2F Nintendo’s come back game console begins with a Mii of you. I had so much fun doing this first step. Especially when a little nephew of mine insisted on his Mii to look like Jesus! No pun intended. For some time I was one of those quite weary of video games as I associated it with sedentary life big time. My sitting in front of the computer or my books is enough sitting for the day. Not until the birth of the new Nintendo Wii. The basic package comes with the popular sports games: Lawn Tennis, Baseball, Bowling, Boxing, and Golf. No old joysticks or game pads this time but an ergonomic remote on one hand and a dangly thing aptly called a nanchuck on the other. And this time, at least with these sports games, you should definitely not be sitting. Wii has sensors designed to actually ... the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651076 Wed, 16 May 2007 23:00:39 +0100 651076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=536613&cid=t_160840_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F11%2Fon-life-absolutes-and-frogs%2F Filed under: All CancersLife has no guarantees. No one ever promises we'll sail easily through life, fall into the lap of a loving family, find the love of our lives, land a good and stable job, and have the perfect number of children, houses, cars, and toys. That brings me to health. No guarantees here either. No one ever predicted I would get cancer. But I did. And while maybe it's a blessing I had no advance warning, the future would certainly be much more clear if it came with absolutes. It sure would be nice -- even now, 36 years into my life -- to hear the words: you will absolutely never get cancer -- again.As soon as Joey hopped in the car after school today, he looked at his little brother and announced, "If you have two frogs and one more comes along, then you have three." Joey i... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=536613 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 536613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478195&cid=t_160840_140_f&fid=34846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpuddlejumper.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F03%2F05%2Fwide-awake-club%2F No I don’t mean Wac-aday (Hands up if you remember Timmy Mallet) Neither am I an old American Republican campaigner (as if!) I’m just awake. I made the mistake of trying to read this afternoon laying down in bed. After studying all day. I’m supposed to learn “the background and key events of the French Revolution” this week AND write an essay on it. Along with another essay on David Hume . And I’ve just finished my submission for my first Creative Writing essay too. This is because they are both due the week I am away in Amsterdam and so now I’m having to cram to get it all finished in time. Anyways. I had been at it so hard I ended up asleep from about 4pm until 7.30 Mr P had made the kids tea and got the little one ready for bed and everything. ... Puddlejumper's Bipolar World blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478195 Mon, 05 Mar 2007 04:54:54 +0100 478195