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Hey there,

There is a lot going on in the world right now. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel yourself slip, slip, slipping into that dark abyss that is depression. Between the cold, often dark weather of winter, and the generalized global political unrest, I’ve heard from many of you that are feeling anxious. While I can’t tell you how to affect change in our worldwide political climate, I can give you some techniques to help dial down some of the restlessness and anxiety that you’re feeling. I have found such help in guided meditation: when someone is telling a story or guiding my thoughts to a happier place, utilizing deep breathing and relaxation techniques. I haven’t been able to find any meditations that specifically speak to those of us with MS - so - I’m recording some myself right now! I’ll keep you updated and let you know when they are ready for you!

In the meantime, here's a simple relaxation technique to help release anxiety:

• Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit or lie down, and gently close your eyes while allowing your body to settle into its natural position.

• Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose for 4 counts, feeling your belly expand like a balloon as you imagine drawing in calm, peaceful energy.

• Hold this breath gently for 4 counts, using this moment to notice any tension in your body without trying to change it.

• Release your breath slowly through your mouth for 6 counts, and as you exhale, visualize your anxiety flowing out with your breath like storm clouds clearing from a blue sky.

• Continue this breathing pattern for 5-10 cycles, and with each exhale, mentally say "release" while letting your muscles soften progressively from your head down to your toes.

Namaste & FUMS 🧡

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

1. ORANGE ALERT: Where are my Copaxone peeps?? 👀 The FDA issued a boxed warning - the highest safety-related warning the FDA can assign to a medication - about Copaxone! The warning notes that in rare cases, patients could experience an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. In some cases, the anaphylaxis has led to hospitalization and death - and can occur at any point during treatment — after the first injection, or after months or years on the medication. 😳 *You might want to put a note in your patient portal right now. MS drug glatiramer acetate given warning over allergic reaction risk

2. In much better news, a 14-week regimen of physical therapy combined with PoNS — a neurostimulator device used to improve mobility — led to significant gait improvements in people with MS, with evidence that its benefits are sustained over time. 🥳 PoNS device leads to long-term gait improvements

3. Could we use imaging to track microglia activity and thereby monitor inflammation? Maybe. Microglia are resident immune cells in the brain that are believed to play a role in driving inflammation and nerve damage in MS and other diseases. Enigma Biomedical has entered into an agreement with Neuraly to use its PET imaging tracer PMI04 for this very purpose. I’ll take less invasive monitoring every. damn. day. Yes please! Enigma to use Neuraly’s PET tracer to monitor MS neuroinflammation

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4. Ladies - did you experience mental health challenges after giving birth? I had postpartum depression after my second baby. It was horrible - especially because I had no idea what it was. I happened to hear actress Brooke Shields on a radio talk show talking about what she went through and it was so similar to my experience. She gave me a name to what I had gone through and I knew I wasn’t losing my mind. Now we have a study that further validates my experience (and yours?): Mothers With MS Have Higher Incidence of Mental Illness

5. Ladies - here’s another one for you/us: did you experience migraines before you were dx’ed with MS? Me too sisters! For those keeping track - worse issues during postpartum and menopause, and prodromal migraines for the females of this community. Truly and appropriate time to raise our collective female voices in an “FUMS”! Women With Multiple Sclerosis Show Increased Migraine Risk Before Symptom Onset

6. Have you had your cholesterol checked? If not - maybe you should! New research from the Czech Republic published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders has established a link between higher cholesterol levels and worsening cognitive impairments in people with MS. Get your cholesterol numbers right - get your head right?? 🤷🏼‍♀️ Maybe!! Is There a Link Between High Cholesterol and MS Brain Fog?

Fun Finds & Recommendations Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my links, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU

Thanks to FUMS community member Terri Abernathy, we have this week’s FFs&Rs:

MS Can't Stop Me: An Inspirational Coloring Book for Relaxation and Stress Relief for People with Multiple Sclerosis

Here’s a link to the category of “coloring books for people with Multiple Sclerosis”

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. I am counting down the days (34) until fellow MS advocate and hilarious human Ardra Shephard’s (Tripping on Air) new book comes out. I pre-ordered mine. Here’s where you can too: Fallosophy: My Trip Through Life With MS

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

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