MS Maze

The state of the economy is front and center in virtually every newspaper and newscast. The mortgage meltdown, stock market troubles, job losses, and increasing costs of everything from food to fuel are impossible to ignore. These are trying times for the family finances. Health care is a major budgetary item and can take quite a bite, but if someone in your household lives with a chronic condition, such as multiple sclerosis, that bite could be a whopper. Continue…

I do adore a good cup of coffee… and it definitely would be an easier weapon in the battle against MS than daily injections. Oh, say it’s so!

From Web MD, Could Caffeine Stop MS in its Tracks? by Salynn Boyles

“What do you mean ‘You can’t see.’!?,” I asked. We were speeding north through Maryland on Interstate 81 heading to NJ for a family weekend. Mandy was a little quiet and, when I glanced over, I saw real fear on her face. In a slightly panicked voice, she said that for the past 15 minutes she had strange wavy lines coming in and out of her field of vision. They had started appearing towards the peripheral areas. Now those lines were obstructing everything and, in places, shutting out vision altogether. With a mix of terror and confusion, she looked at me and said that there was a big hole in my head. I was stunned into silence. Continue…

One of the most frustrating aspects of living with multiple sclerosis is the lack of general knowledge — coupled with unsolicited advice. I’m okay with the lack of knowledge. I don’t want or need everyone in the world to learn about MS. However, if you don’t know the facts, maybe you should refrain from offering advice. Continue…

An editorial in today’s New York Times reveals the not-too-surprising results of a new national survey on health care.

The overall economy and the rapidly escalating cost of basic health care are forcing people to ignore health problems.

How has the economy impacted your personal health care decision-making process?

While politicians have been debating endlessly over the best ways to reform the American health care system, the plight of American patients has rapidly worsened. Maybe I’ll Get Better on My Own June 30, 2008 Editorial, The New York Times

It was July 2003, when Jake and I visited the caverns, with two of the kids. I remember it so clearly because it was the very last thing I ever did before awakening to the fact that my body was under major attack. Read full story...

Multiple sclerosis is a stealthy thief, taking what it wants, piece by piece. We can choose to let that define us, or we can choose to live with MS on our own terms. Continue…

You’ve heard about them before. The people who have multiple sclerosis, but “keep on going.” They run marathons, climb mountains, and skydive, all while maintaining successful careers and happy families. So, why is MS holding YOU back? Continue…

Face it, after you’ve been a caregiver for a while, you find it almost second nature to keep one eye on the person in your charge. But when that person has relapsing-remitting MS, as does my wife, there are times when the remitting part overtakes the relapsing part. That’s right — there are times when the other person just… feels good. Continue…

One of the easiest MS-related traps to fall into is self-imposed isolation. Make no mistake about it — MS and isolation are a devastating combination. Continue…