Hello friends --Happy October! What does that mean to you? It means cooler temperatures, bonfires, crunchy leaves, sweaters, baking, soup, pumpkin-everything, and happiness to me! I LOVE the Fall.  Happy Fall ya'll. 🍁 I hope this season brings as much joy to you as it does to me. OK - what's going on in the world of MS??  Let's have a gander:1.  I was contacted by a New York Times reporter looking for patient's experiences with the following. If you are so inclined (and I hope you are - more real-world experience could only help to illuminate the issues) here's the info and how to contact her:  

Reed Abelson, a reporter at The New York Times, is looking into people's interactions with their insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers, which determine what medications they can take and how much they pay. She is particularly interested in talking with people who are required to pay more for medications because they must choose a brand-name drug instead of a generic or they must pay more for a generic medication because they must use a particular pharmacy that charges more. If you're interested in sharing your experience, please email Reed at abelson@nytimes.com. She is also interested in hearing about being forced to use a medication that is not as effective or otherwise having difficulty getting medications through your drug plan. 2.  COVID is everywhere right now - have you noticed??  I have tickets to a Stevie Nicks/Billy Joel concert this weekend that I am now trying to sell because - I'm NOT going to get that close with that many people for that long with this kind of COVID resurgence going on! I got both my updated COVID and Flu shots last week. The concert is also just 4 days prior to my first infusion next week. I'll take no chances, thank you very much. On that note - I just wanted to share this study with you to help you think through your own position on vaccinations and MS: Vaccinations Do Not Lead to Multiple Sclerosis Flare-Ups, Study Shows3.  The expression of a viral protein known as W-Env leads to the inflammatory activation of brain cells and impairs myelin repair in mouse models of MS, a study reports. That's not good - but it's good information. Every one of these "findings" is getting us one step closer to really understanding this damn disease - and curing it!  🤞🏻 Viral protein blocks myelin repair, activates inflammation in models4.  The majority of MS'ers are diagnosed with RRMS - Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. 85% of them (us) will progress to SPMS - Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. But did you know there is no "test" to indicate the progression? So how do you know? Here's a great article on that very question:  Secondary-Progressive MS: What Is It, and When Does It Start?5.  Here's a study whose name speaks for itself: The relationship between bladder functions, pelvic floor muscle strength, fall, and fatigue in multiple sclerosis.  And along those lines - did you know that my bestie is a Pelvic Floor Dysfunction PT?? It's true. AND - we wrote a downloadable ebook together that may be of great help - if you need it. It's called - "Bowel and Bladder Issues in Multiple Sclerosis by Two Pee Brains With Potty Mouths Talking Shit About MS"!!  No - seriously - that's the name of the book! Want to learn more and maybe get it for yourself???  Here's where to go: FUMS Ebook6.  One of the things I love most about producing this newsletter weekly is pouring through all the journals, news articles and studies that are happening on our behalf! It's interesting and gives me great hope.  Here is an article that details some very interesting work being done in neurodegenerative health RIGHT NOW:  Four Neurodegenerative Trials to Watch in Q4Well - that's all folks! I love putting this newsletter together, I love sharing the information with all of you, and I LOVE to hear from you. So - if you have a minute - hit reply to this email and let me know how you're doing - and if there is anything you'd like me to include in this newsletter to make it better. I'm always open to new ideas!Cheers -- Kathy#FUMSP.S.  My dear friend, fellow MS-advocate Alene Brennan launched her new podcast - "My MS Podcast".  I hope you'll click the link here or find it wherever you get your podcasts and give it a listen. Subscribe to be notified of new episodes. I know you'll love it.  Alene's Podcast 

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