Hello friends --Hi there. I hope you're doing well. I wouldn't say I'm doing particularly well.  I had my second Briumvi infusion (first full dose) yesterday.  The headache, body aches, extreme fatigue and racing heart all subsided.  Since my first infusion 2 weeks ago, I've started having symptoms. Sharp pains in my right leg, and more concerning - several symptoms on my left side. Why is that more concerning you ask?? Because my MS has been limited to my right side since I was dx'ed - 15 1/2 years ago. This feels like the bastard is creeping over the invisible line that I've always had and there's nothing I can do about it. Well - I'm trying to do something about it. Aside from the infusion, I'm participating in a clinical study of UVB light therapy.  Here's hoping. 🤞🏻Alright then. Let's get down to business.1.  It's getting chilly outside. And I LOVE it. I moved to Virginia Beach in mid-August and have been walking the beach on the Chesapeake Bay every chance I get. And in the last week or so - it's gotten chilly! YAY. Happy Fall Y'all. 🍁  This got me thinking that I should add some new products to the FUMS shop. So - I did. And I will be adding more soon. So - stay tuned. Meantime, check out this FUMS Beanie to keep your noggin toasty:   Click here to get your very own FUMS Beanie - or any of the other FUMS merch: FUMS Shop2.  Brain atrophy (shrinkage) in people with MS begins on average more than five years before symptoms appear, according to a new study based on machine learning models. Machine learning used to estimate when brain shrinkage begins       **I literally could not help myself. I had to post this link to a Seinfeld video about SHRINKAGE.  3.  What was YOUR childhood like??  Experiencing certain stressors during childhood may predict the future presence and severity of fatigue, pain, and psychiatric conditions associated with MS, according to a new U.S. study.  Physical, emotional issues may predict severity of symptoms in adults.  Childhood stressors linked to future symptoms of pain, fatigue in MS4.  "The shift towards precision personalized care in multiple sclerosis is an exciting development, thanks to fluid biomarkers like the MSDA test, enabling proactive treatment strategies. While MSDA testing offers a panel of 18 different biomarkers, challenges remain in terms of data predictability, patient outliers, and the impact of other variables on the test outcomes." This is a fascinating subject - using serum biomarkers (blood tests) to keep an eye on MS progression. I have had 2 of these blood draws and it found my disease activity was a 3 out of 10 - low disease activity. Except it wasn't. I had an MRI that showed a new lesion and 2 lesions had enlarged significantly since last year. So - while I love the idea of this test - I think there is some work to be done. But it is super interesting. Shifting Toward Precision Care in Multiple Sclerosis Using Disease Activity Tests and Serum Biomarkers: Michael Y. Sy, MD, PhD5.  I find this both interesting and exciting: The FDA has allowed Tiziana Life Sciences’ agent foralumab, a fully human intranasal anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, to be taken at home and self-administered for the treatment of patients living with MS. The company noted that this decision by the FDA to allow patients to self-administer this therapy at home is a significant advancement in the landscape of care in MS, increasing accessibility and allowing for more convenience for patients with this condition. Read all about it - here:  FDA Allows At-Home Dosing of Intranasal Foralumab for Multiple Sclerosis6.  Data shows that estrogen increases neuroprotective effects on the CNS - Central Nervous System.  That's all I had to know to talk to my GYN about getting on HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy. It's an interesting subject - MS and hormones. Here's where to learn more: Unpacking the Controversy of Hormone Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: Melinda Magyari, MDThat's all folks!!  Hope you learned something here today. Please share this little newsletter o'mine with someone else that could use this info - and encourage them to sign up for their own subscription at www.FUMSnow.com/6packWarmly -- Kathy#FUMSP.S. I've been doing some videos about my life with MS over on TikTok lately. Come on over and check it out - I'm FUMS01 

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