2025

I spent my time in 2024 starting this blog and reviewing how MS has impacted me. As 2025 begins, I will alter my path to review in more depth: treatment/health options, science/study information, research opportunities & other topics that may come forward. I hope that you will accompany me as this journey continues.  This blog is not intended to be a method to “talk at you”, rather a way for us to talk as a group. For myself, I may watch videos, attend virtual conferences, attend support groups, read an article et. but I will often quickly forget what was shared afterwards. MS affects me in that way, what is often referred to as “cog fog”.

I am using a blog because it's an opportunity to look back on what was discussed here. Also an opportunity for you to share if you want to do that. Also others may see what you have learned or tried.  We are here to share, not to dictate, not to judge but we can support one another.  We can become a tribe for one another.

So here goes:

Per the NIH (National institute of Health: nih.gov) Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is described as a chronic neurological autoimmune disorder (condition). Our immune system is typically supposed to protect us from viruses, bacteria, and other threats.  However, when someone is diagnosed with MS,it means that the immune system has started to attack our own healthy cells. 

In MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath of the central nervous system (brain & spinal cord). Myelin is a mixture of protein and fatty acids that makes up the protective cover that coats nerve fibers. 

                           

The central nervous system is a very large part of our body.  Because the immune system controls/affects so much of our body,

MS (think scar) affects everyone differently.  There are some common symptoms of MS which show as:

• Vision problems, such double vision or optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve), which causes pain with eye movement and vision loss

• Muscle weakness, often in the arms and legs, and muscle stiffness with painful muscle spasms

• Tingling, numbness, or pain in the arms, legs, trunk, or face

• Clumsiness, especially difficulty staying balanced when walking

• Bladder control problems

• Intermittent or constant dizziness:

• Mental or physical fatigue

• Mood changes such as depression or difficulty with emotional expression or control

• Cognitive changes, including problems concentrating, multitasking, thinking, or learning, or difficulties with memory or judgment

Unfortunately, there is no cure for MS. There are several treatments (medication, foods, activities) that reduce the severity or long-term progression of MS.

In a presentation I viewed with Dr. Boster on MSVN (https://msviewsandnews.org ), it was mentioned that scarring that occurs primarily on the spinal cord may affect primarily the function of the limbs (hands, feet, arms, legs and trunk.).  Scars that occur on the brain will affect people in many other way.(such as how I am affected: information process, memory, mental health issues such as depression/anxiety) in addition to what you may experience with spinal cord “scars”.  I may be recounting this incorrectly as I may not remember correctly what I have viewed.

Again, since MS can affect so many areas of our life, there is a large amount of research and studies for MS.  The research helps to learn more about the effects of MS, treatments for MS and new knowledge about MS.  There is an opportunity for people with MS to ask about things that are important individually for study consideration.  It is called “People Powered Research”.  IConquerMS (https://www.iconquerms.org) is the leader in this area.

I am getting tired and starting to make more errors.  Until February (TY spell check)