Hello friends --Are you caught in the middle of the holidays craziness??  STOP. 🛑  Step away from the Amazon cart. Take a deep breath. Roll those shoulders back. We have survived this every year prior - we'll survive this year too.  Seriously - I hope you're taking some time for yourself and getting in some rest and relaxation and enjoying all that this time of year has to offer.  I'm off to drive around looking at the holiday lights in Virginia Beach tonight! Even better - I'm not driving - I'm being driven! Don't forget to TAKE CARE OF YOU. xxoSo - what's happening in the world of MS you ask? I gotchoo ~1.  Have you heard the term "smouldering MS"? It's pretty interesting (and complex) stuff. Bottom line: "Deep within the brain of those living with MS, researchers have discovered that there is a 'smouldering process' underway. Some areas of MS in the brain remain continually active causing destruction – even in times of remission – when there are no relapses" UGH. So - how do you know and what can be done about it? Here's a link to a webinar with some top-shelf neurologists discussing this topic: Smouldering MS: Is this the real MS? How and when do we discuss this with our patients?

2.  I found this so interesting - and nothing I had even considered before. "Experts call for anesthetists and neurologists to work together when patients with MS require anesthesia."  They concluded that there are pre- and post-operative guidelines that should be followed specifically for MS patients, and neurologists need to be part of the new protocol.  Going Under the Knife With MS3.  How would you like to take your medicine by nasal spray??  Well - it may be a possibility. Tiziana Life Sciences Doses First Patient in Phase 2a Trial of Intranasal Foralumab in Multiple Sclerosis4.  Fatigue is one of the most (if not THE most) common symptom in MS - and it's so damned debilitating. It makes it very difficult to work or have a life beyond bed or a sofa. So - the search for answers for that fatigue continue. I'm involved in a trial of UVB light therapy right now that show really great promise. I'll update you on that when I can. In the meantime, here's another look at this issue: Acetyl-L-carnitine: Can it relieve MS fatigue?5.  I'm a HUGE proponent for community - for support, accountability, validation, commiseration and celebration! So this study comes as no surprise to me: A six-month telehealth program designed to help participants change their dietary and lifestyle habits resulted in an increased level of physical activity and clinically relevant weight loss for most obese people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who took part, a clinical trial found.  Everything is better when you have a little help - and you're not alone!  Telehealth intervention seen to help MS patients lose weight in trial6.  Oh wow - "Over the last decade, several case studies have reported that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who started antiretroviral therapy for HIV (to keep the virus in check) subsequently found that their MS symptoms had either disappeared completely or the disease progression had slowed considerably."  HIV drugs might help prevent multiple sclerosisThat's all folks. I hope this helped you in some way. Information is power! If you didn't know - I'm on TikTok (it happened by accident - that's a long story)! Please - check me out, subscribe, like, comment and SHARE!!  I'm @fums01  Thanks for the support.  Happy Holidays everyone.  Be kind to yourself. Warmly -- Kathy#FUMS

Sometimes it helps the stress, just to say "F-U-M-S" 

P.S.  I keep adding more MS appropriate products in my Amazon storefront. Check it out here:  FUMS Amazon Store