The FUMS 6-Pack | 2*19*25

In partnership with

Check out last week’s poll results at the bottom of the 6-Pack ⤵️

Hey there,

My wish may be granted this week. I’ve wanted to walk on the beach WHILE it is snowing ❄️ as long as I can remember. For whatever reason - it’s never happened. Recently it’s been because it’s only snowed at night. Looks like this week I’ll check this one off my bucket list! ✅

Thanks for all the kind notes checking on me after my surgery last week. All is well and I had my stitches out this week. I look like I was in a fight but - this too shall pass. And - it looks a little badass so - I’ll take it. 😉

Let's see what's up in the world of MS, shall we??

1. “At least 30 minutes of summer sun 🌞 per day in the first year of life is linked to a lower relapse risk in children with multiple sclerosis (MS).” When I was first diagnosed in 2008, I saw an MS specialist. I asked what I could do to lessen the chance of my kids getting MS. He said “get them in the sun and the dirt. The sun to build their Vit D levels and all the functions that come with that, and the dirt to build their immune systems.” Get some sun - you AND your kids!🌞More Sunlight as Baby Linked to Fewer MS Relapses in Kids

2. ORANGE ALERT CALL TO ACTION: U.S. FUMS’ers - A new policy was announced that would result in consequential cuts to NIH research grants across the country. Contact your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative today to let them know: any cuts to NIH funding could result in a loss of precious momentum on developing new treatments for MS, access to ongoing clinical trials, and more.  Congress has long provided bipartisan support for lifesaving research supported by the NIH and conducted in every state across the country. Contact Congress today about the importance of continued NIH funding for the MS community! Here’s where to go for a templated email to send to YOUR representatives: Protect NIH - reinstate grant funding for medical research

3. This is a quick turnaround but if you can make it - I HIGHLY recommend it. Everyone’s favorite MS specialist, Dr. Aaron Boster, will be taking YOUR questions all about MS this Thursday, 2/20/25 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern, 5:30 p.m. Central, 4:30 p.m. Mountain, 3:30 p.m. Pacific, in a virtual Q & A session hosted by the wonderful folks at MS Focus! Fantastic opportunity. Here’s where to register: Register Here

Receive Honest News Today

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Sign up today!

4. Bowel and bladder issues and sexual dysfunction are some of the most debilitating symptoms of MS - not only physically but psychologically. Have you heard of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?? It’s actually mind-blowing🤯 how few people have heard of this. It can make such a HUGE difference. This article does a great job explaining it: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for MS *AND I co-wrote a book on this subject with my bestie Erin who just so happens to be one of them thar Pelvic Floor PTs!! Co-wrote is a stretch. I just added smart ass comments. I know my lane. Here’s where to learn more or download that book: Bowel and Bladder Issues in Multiple Sclerosis by Two Pee Brains with Potty Mouths Talking Shit About MS (yes, I came up with the title)

5. There is always the internal war of wanting to hit our MS with the biggest punch - while having to keep side effects and safety issues in mind when choosing medication. Big gun therapy can come with some big risks. Less efficacious meds, while having less chance of side effects, also may have less chance of actually working! 🤷🏼‍♀️ Here’s an interesting analysis of a U.S. healthcare claims database, which compared CD20 switchers against people who stayed on CD20 inhibitors. The findings suggest de-escalating from a highly effective therapy to a moderately effective one may mitigate some safety concerns for people whose disease is stable. Switching from CD20 inhibitors to fumarates may be OK in stable MS

6. Virtually everyone is given a “prescription” of high dose Vitamin D3 upon diagnosis. Were you?? Yeah - me too! Sometimes - when “answers” become too knee-jerk or ubiquitous, we forget to ask “why” or if that advice is still of merit. Case in point: here are a couple of studies that appear to be in conflict on this subject. Apparently Conflicting Information About Vitamin D

Fun Finds & Recommendations

Are you interested in fighting MS in a more holistic, natural way? I’ve got a great resource for you: The MS Wellness Route newsletter. It’s written by a woman named Cathy who has lived with MS most of her life - and she has found a natural path to wellness that she shares with her subscribers each week. She also has an app to help track symptoms. She’s amazing! Check out her newsletter here: MS Wellness Route.

Last week’s poll results:

Which environmental factor most notably triggers your MS symptoms?

That's all folks. Let me know if you have any questions or if I can help you in any way. Otherwise, just keep saying FUMS!! 🧡

Cheers -- 

Kathy

Kathy Reagan Young
Founder
FUMS


 P.S. Please do me a favor: hit reply to this email and let me know your opinion of 2 features of the 6-Pack - the weekly poll at the top of the page (and the subsequent results the next week) AND the “Fun Finds and Recommendations” section. What are your thoughts? Do you like them, look forward to them - are they a reason you remain subscribed? OR are they “meh,” you could do without them, “lose either and/or both and I wouldn’t notice”? I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Thank you.

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

PLEASE share this newsletter using the social icons above 👆️