The FUMS 6-Pack | 3/26/25

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

Hey there,

I have avoided politics in my 7+ years of writing the FUMS 6-Pack. Until today.

As part of the Continuing Resolution that was passed by the U.S. Congress March 18th, the Multiple Sclerosis Research Program (MSRP) was unfunded. This means that all U.S. government funding for MS research has ceased. 

WTF? I’m all for rooting out waste and abuse, but ceasing medical research? How does that help? How exactly does that make us great?

To quote my friend and fellow MS advocate, Dan Digmann, “395 publications, 102 follow-on grants, four patents, an additional three patent applications, and 13 clinical trials that will benefit nearly 1 million Americans living with an incurable disease hardly seem like the results of wasteful government spending.”

And prohibiting the CDC, NIH, and FDA from issuing communications? Someone make it make sense.

Are you pissed off yet? You should be. We all should be. Don’t be intimidated by calling your congresssional representatives. You hired them for a job. As their manager, you check up on them and when they are not performing their job duties as expected, you let them know you are displeased with their performance and if they don’t straighten up - they will be fired. You are paying them with your tax dollars. Call. If you get voicemail - leave one. Then call again. And keep calling. And go to any meetings they have locally. And send emails. Here’s where to go to get contact information for YOUR federal, state and local representatives: Your Employees

Please, contact them. Tell them we NEED their help. We need the research to continue.

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

1. For every 1,000 employees in the U.S., about $580,000 is spent each year in excess healthcare costs and lost work time from five autoimmune diseases alone, including MS, a report from healthcare startup shows. 😳 Excess MS, autoimmune healthcare costs at $580K per 1K employees

2. Where are my Tysabri peeps?? Good news: treatment with Tysabri (natalizumab) may help delay disability progression in people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) over Rebif (interferon beta-1a), an analysis of data from two clinical trials suggests. Tysabri may reduce risk of disability progression in SPMS

3. In the “no shit Sherlock” department: Nearly 50% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) report pronounced fatigue, which has a significantly negative effect on their well-being, a new study from Finland has found. AND only - 50%?? I don’t know a single person with MS that doesn’t fight fatigue. Not one. Fatigue significantly contributes to impaired well-being in MS

This cannabis startup pioneered “rapid onset” gummies

Most people prefer to smoke cannabis but that isn’t an option if you’re at work or in public.

That’s why we were so excited when we found out about Mood’s new Rapid Onset THC Gummies. They can take effect in as little as 5 minutes without the need for a lighter, lingering smells or any coughing.

Nobody will ever know you’re enjoying some THC.

We recommend you try them out because they offer a 100% money-back guarantee. And for a limited time, you can receive 20% off with code FIRST20.

Shop Now

4. Have you used CBD?? I have - and it’s worked well for my MS and other pain. In fact, a few years ago, when I had a frozen shoulder (the worst pain second only to childbirth in my experience), CBD is the only thing that touched the pain! Australian researchers have developed a clever way to supercharge the effects of cannabidiol (CBD), a compound used to treat neurological conditions like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. New CBD Formula Absorbs Six Times Better and Delivers Faster Relief

5. MS Bladder issues?? 🚽 Sacral neuromodulation (SNM), in which an implanted device delivers mild electrical pulses to the nerves that control the bladder, led to sustained improvements in urinary function in half of people with MS who underwent surgery to have the device put into place, according to a review of medical records. Sacral neuromodulation seen to ease MS-related bladder dysfunction **Check out my downloadable ebook “Bowel and Bladder Issues in Multiple Sclerosis by Two Pee Brains with Potty Mouths Talking Shit About MS”

6. Cognitive impairment is common in people with MS who have not previously received treatment, affecting about 1 in 4 patients, and rates are particularly higher in those with secondary progressive MS (SPMS), a new study found. Early motor symptoms, poor manual dexterity may predict decline. Cognitive impairment found to be common in untreated MS patients

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

Want to share your FUMS spirit with the world?? Here’s how: head to the FUMS Merch Shop and pick out a few things (hats, beanies, wind breakers, teeshirts, sweatshirts, masks, etc) emblazoned with FUMS - then - get out there. Show everyone just how you speak to this stupid disease. Feel empowered! 💪🏻 🧡 Here’s where to go: FUMS Shop

Last week’s poll results:

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


 

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

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