The FUMS 6-Pack | January 15, 2025

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Hey there,

WOW - this weather in the U.S. is really something. Lots of cold 🥶 and snow ❄️. We don’t usually see much snow in Virginia Beach - but we got a little this week and I LOVED it. It’s pretty and then it leaves! Perfect. HOWEVER - the cold is really affecting my spasticity. My left leg is in a LOT of pain and really doesn’t want to walk much. That’s not good when you’re a leg🦵🏻and that’s your purpose. My back is in continuous spasm and that has meant more Baclofen lately then I like to take. Baclofen makes me a little loopy (loopier?? 🙃) and tired. I struggle to work when I’m on a Baclofen bender! I know a lot of you deal with the cold mucking up your MS too. I’d LOVE to hear how you deal with it. Anything you’ve found that helps?? Just hit reply to this email and give me the scoop - PLEASE! 🙏🏻. I’ll share your tips next week for the 6-Pack community to benefit as well. 😉

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

1. More women are diagnosed with MS than men 🤦‍♀️ and the symptoms can look quite different too. Here’s what to look for: The Early Symptoms of MS in Women Doctors Don’t Want You To Miss

2. And again with women 🚺 and MS - did you know that MS may worsen during menopause?? Yep. Yay. Just another little gift. New Study Indicates MS May Worsen During Menopause

3. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has put the call out for clinical trial volunteers on behalf of Sanofi pharmaceuticals. Here are the details & where to go to learn more: Adults ages 18 to 60, diagnosed with Non-Relapsing Secondary-Progressive MS; Multicenter, Nationwide; The EFC17504/Freviva Trial is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of the investigational study drug (frexalimab) to placebo (a substance with no therapeutic effect which looks like the investigational study drug). Phase III is the latest phase of testing to be completed before requesting approval to market the investigational study drug. Here’s where to go to learn more or sign up: Freviva Trial

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4. Did you ever have “the kissing disease” - Mono - aka, mononucleosis? Epstein-Barr Virus is the most common cause of Mono, is one of the most common viruses in the world, and is a well-established risk factor for MS. So - it stands to reason that if we could stop EBV (as in a vaccine?), maybe we could stop MS before it starts, right? Hmmmm - well - l👀key here 👉🏻 Modex’s EBV vaccine given to first participant in Phase 1 trial

5. Personalized medicine?? Yes, please. Well - we’re not there just yet - but -advanced imaging and diagnostic tools could pave the way for more personalized and effective approaches to managing Multiple Sclerosis, according to study published in the Journal of Neurology. New Imaging, Diagnostic Tools Promise Better Management of Multiple Sclerosis

6. MS is so weird. You can be so tired all day - unable to complete tasks without laying down and often falling asleep. Then, at night, 😳 - WIDE AWAKE!! What in the world? It’s so frustrating. I know that a lot of us have resorted to various sleep meds. Understandable but . . . you might want to rethink that strategy. Common sleep medication may prevent brain from clearing 'waste'

Kathy's 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 Janice Sharpe, we have this week’s FFs&Rs: an assistive door handle. Janice said this has helped her enormously. I bet! Makes a lot of sense. I’ve included a link to the one Janice uses and recommends and to the category of products so you can find the one that “speaks” to you! 🚘

Here’s a link to the category of “helpful products for getting out of a car”

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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