November 2005 Meeting Newsletter
Hello Everyone,
HOPE 4 MS monthly meetings are always enlightening and this one was no exception.
It’s so good to see and make friends as well as share some social interaction with others who face so many of the same symptoms. We’ve said it before that one similarity we all have is that we all have MS and we are all so different. So many of our “unseen” symptoms are shared by others and it’s nice to bring them out in the open and compare notes.
We began this meeting with much social exchange over coffee & muffins and then we discussed the recent seminar and annual meeting put on by the MS Society in Concord two weeks ago. Among speaker topics it was again brought up that MS presents itself as causing an overactive immune system, therefore, we do not need to stimulate our systems with antioxidants. This subject needs further study, however, it does seem to make sense that since our immune system fights so hard that it actually attacks our own myelin nerve sheath, we may not want to encourage this activity.
Another very interesting subject was that of the Placebo Effect found in many studies with MS patients. For some reason, MS patients react very positively to this effect. In tests, it has been found that when a group of people are given the actual test drug and a group given a placebo in a double blind trial, the placebo groups average a 40% improvement in symptoms and exacerbations! This just backs up our theories about the power of the mind and the importance of positive thinking.
We are moving forward with our hopes of bringing Adaptive Yoga to Redding and/or Red Bluff. We need to find an instructor willing to teach a class once a week for eight weeks. Training will be provided. Contact Beth with any ideas you may have at info@hope4ms.org There appears to be much interest so let’s make this happen!
We are also considering putting together a “horse therapy” program. They have a successful one in Auburn and the positive results abound. If anyone has any thoughts on that subject drop us a line at the above mentioned e-mail address.
We then moved on to our round table introductions and discussions. Several people are or have experienced various optic challenges so that subject was discussed among several people. The subject of swimming and pools seems to be shared by many also and the most comfortable water temperature seems to vary by 15 degrees. One person said that she keeps her pool at 70 degrees which allows for a cooler body core, therefore, she functions at her peak and experiences much improvement in her functioning as she gets out of the pool.
It is agreed that it doesn’t really matter what form of exercise you are doing as long as you are doing something. Exercise has shown tremendous benefits and really needs to be a part of everyone’s routine.
With the new upcoming Medicare Prescription Drug Plan changes most of us are pretty confused and would love to have someone help us unravel some of this information. If anyone knows someone who talk to us let us know!
The MS Society is hosting a conference for us here in Redding December 10th called MS: The Genetic Connection and our speaker will be Dr. Okudo a neurologist from UCSF as well as a videotaped conference on the subject. Information posted at the end of this letter.
Because of this conference we are wondering if anyone wants our regular meeting that month also? December is a busy month anyway, but if anyone is interested let us know. At this point we are not planning a regular meeting until January 7th when we will have Dr. Evye Szantos speak. Again, let us know if you have any topics you would like her to address.
Remember to keep those thoughts positive and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
MS: The Genetic Connection
2006 North American Education Conference
Saturday, December 10, 2005
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Redding, CA – Location to be announced
Speaker: Dr. Okuda, Clinical Fellow
Neurology Department
University of California, San Francisco
Join us for a morning with Dr. Okuda and a videotaped conference with recognized experts in the field discussing genetic aspects of MS and the ways in which genetics research is contributing to scientists’ efforts to identify the hereditary and environmental risk factors for the disease, develop more effective treatments, and find a cure.
Continental Breakfast hosted by the National MS Society
Pre-registration is required.
Call 1-800-FIGHT MS
1-800-344-4867