Columns

December 14, 2018December 13, 2018

Shalom and the State of My Staircase

A Life in Letters -- A Column By Jamie Hughes, Columns

My eldest son, like thousands of other kids in the world, struggles in school. He’s partially deaf, and some of his challenges stem from inescapable biological ... Read more

December 14, 2018December 13, 2018

Betwixt and Between

Columns, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

Usually, I have an idea of what I’m going to write. Today, all I feel is a bit meeeeugh … Which is more a sound of ennui ... Read more

December 14, 2018December 12, 2018

Pregnancy, DMTs, and MS: A New Study

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Many years ago a woman I know who has multiple sclerosis (MS) became pregnant. After her child was born her MS became significantly worse. There have ... Read more

December 13, 2018December 12, 2018

Need to Know: What Are Some Good Books That Feature Multiple Sclerosis?

Columns, MS in Moderation, a column by Tamara Sellman

Editor’s note: “Need to Know” is a series inspired by common forum questions and comments from readers. Have a comment or question about MS? Visit our ... Read more

December 13, 2018December 12, 2018

Living with Intention This Christmas

Columns, Silver Linings - a Column by Jennifer Powell

Ever since I can remember, my family has had a real Christmas tree. Finding the perfect tree became a magical adventure. We often cut our own, ... Read more

December 11, 2018December 7, 2018

Consensus Lacking on How MS Medications Are Prescribed in the UK

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Living in the U.S., where disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) seem to be prescribed as a matter of course to people with multiple sclerosis (MS), I was surprised ... Read more

December 10, 2018December 10, 2018

MS News that Caught My Eye Last Week: Palliative Care, Lemtrada and Lung Bleeding, Stroke Risk, Rebif Report

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Use of Hospital Palliative Care by MS Patients in US Rose 30-fold Between 2005-14, Study Finds Palliative care emphasizes prevention and relief of a patient’s suffering. ... Read more

December 7, 2018December 6, 2018

The Right Hand of Lightness

Columns, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

There’s a joy in going on a long journey in which I get the luxury of sleeping through the whole thing. It’s practically magical. Or scientifically, ... Read more

December 7, 2018December 5, 2018

These Doctors Have the Right Idea, but …

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Patients want to be more involved in their healthcare, but it’s not an easy process. I’ve written before about the hurdles we have to overcome to ... Read more

December 6, 2018December 4, 2018

Receiving with Grace: Lessons Learned with Secondary Progressive MS

Columns, Silver Linings - a Column by Jennifer Powell

In this season of thanks and giving, I have realized the beauty of receiving. I have recognized when to ask for help and how to accept ... Read more

December 5, 2018December 13, 2018

How to Reach Your Goals While Living with Multiple Sclerosis

Columns, Making a Difference - a Column by Cathy Chester.

Having lived with multiple sclerosis (MS) for over three decades, I have lots of stories to tell about my experience with the disease. Tales about dating, ... Read more

December 4, 2018December 6, 2018

How Worried Should We Be About MS Medication Side Effects?

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Over the past couple of weeks, two warnings have been issued about side effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) medications. First, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ... Read more

December 3, 2018December 6, 2018

Recognizing and Avoiding MS Triggers to Prevent Exacerbations

Columns, Faith of the Mustard Seed - a Column by Debi Wilson

I remember the feeling of having a terrible cold or flu before I had multiple sclerosis (MS). The stuffy nose that made breathing nearly impossible. That ... Read more

December 3, 2018December 3, 2018

MS News that Caught My Eye Last Week: MRI Dyes, Lipids and MS, Gilenya Advisory, Possible Stem Cell Trial

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Artificial Intelligence May Help Reduce Dosage of Gadolinium in MRIs, Researchers Suggest There’s been concern recently about the accumulation of gadolinium in the brains of people who’ve ... Read more

November 30, 2018December 4, 2018

Ho-Ho-No

A Life in Letters -- A Column By Jamie Hughes, Columns

Even when a major holiday isn’t scheduled in a calendar month, I’m a pretty busy lady. I work a full-time job that requires me to be ... Read more

November 30, 2018December 11, 2018

In Real Time

Columns, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

So, “it” started on Monday. I have no idea what I’m dealing with. Is it a urinary tract infection, a relapse, a bird, or a plane? ... Read more

November 30, 2018December 5, 2018

My Lemtrada Journey: Round 2, Plus 7 Months

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

I’m coming up on the second anniversary of my Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) treatment. My first infusion round was the first week of December 2016. Round 2, delayed by ... Read more

November 29, 2018November 27, 2018

iConquerMS, National MS Society Collaborate to Amplify Patient Voices

Columns, Engaging Thoughts

I am excited and thankful to share with you a new collaboration between iConquerMS and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). For several years, I have worked ... Read more

November 27, 2018December 10, 2018

FDA Warns of Possible Dangers of Stopping Gilenya

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

If you are being treated with Gilenya, take note. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning that if you stop using Gilenya (fingolimod), there’s a ... Read more

November 21, 2018November 28, 2018

Taking a Break from the News to Keep Stress at Bay

Columns, Making a Difference - a Column by Cathy Chester.

We live in a turbulent, violent, and hostile society. We wake up every day to news of another mass shooting, Mother Nature causing unstoppable damage, loud ... Read more

November 20, 2018November 28, 2018

Facing the Reality of the Holiday Season

Columns, Patiently Awakened - A Column by Teresa Wright-Johnson

The holiday bustle has begun. As Thanksgiving approaches, I ponder the season and a lump forms in my throat. I am grateful to be here and ... Read more

November 20, 2018November 16, 2018

Can’t Afford Health Insurance for Your Family? Who Do You Cut?

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

We all know how expensive health insurance can be. On the social media sites that I browse, I always see stories of people with MS who ... Read more

November 19, 2018November 26, 2018

MS-related Vertigo: What Can You Do?

Columns, Faith of the Mustard Seed - a Column by Debi Wilson

I’ve never liked carnival rides (except for roller coasters) because they make me dizzy. Walking sideways, feeling nauseous, and turning green is not my idea of ... Read more

November 19, 2018November 19, 2018

MS News that Caught My Eye Last Week: New Thinking About MS Development, Rhythm to Improve Walking, UK Nurse Shortage, B-cells

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

MS-specific Lineage of Oligodendrocytes May Provide New Hints on MS Development Our immune system, according to this study, may not be the only thing playing a ... Read more

November 16, 2018November 28, 2018

Excelsior! Learning from the Life and Loss of Stan Lee

A Life in Letters -- A Column By Jamie Hughes, Columns

Like many comic book geeks, I’ve been sitting shiva for the last few days, mourning the passing of Stan Lee. I never met the man in ... Read more

November 16, 2018November 26, 2018

And the Good News Is …

Columns, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

Getting started on any career is fraught with difficulty, and the trail that got me to my base camp was truly meandering. It was nearly as ... Read more

November 16, 2018November 26, 2018

When You’ve Gotta Go, but There’s No Place to Do It

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

We’ve all been there. That “uh-oh” feeling hits and you know you’ll be in trouble if you can’t find a restroom, fast. You hope the clerk ... Read more

November 15, 2018November 26, 2018

Losing Words Through Dysarthria Is Hard for This Word Nerd

Columns, Silver Linings - a Column by Jennifer Powell

I have always prided myself on my smarts. I excelled in college, where I realized my love for learning. I enjoy conversing with others, and I ... Read more

November 14, 2018November 20, 2018

Rock Bottom: When Sitting Down Is a Pain in the Butt

Columns, MS in Motion - A Column by Mike Knight

“The reason you can’t keep your shorts up,” the orthopedist said, “is because you don’t have enough butt anymore.” It was my first visit with this ... Read more

November 13, 2018November 20, 2018

I Know I’m in a Handicapped Spot, but I’ll Only Be 2 Minutes

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

I’m writing again about someone with MS who was blocked from a handicapped parking spot by someone who isn’t handicapped. I know, it happens all the ... Read more

November 12, 2018November 15, 2018

Do Noise and Crowds Affect You More with MS?

Columns, Faith of the Mustard Seed - a Column by Debi Wilson

Venturing into the world can be overwhelming with multiple sclerosis (MS). Crowds and noise can overload my compromised nervous system, and even my home sanctuary can ... Read more

November 12, 2018November 11, 2018

MS News that Caught My Eye Last Week: Ballet and MS, Salt and the Immune System, How Tecfidera May Work, Doctor-Patient Communications

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Exercise Program Based on Ballet Improves Motor Control and Balance in MS Patients, Study Reports It makes sense. Yoga helps multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, as do ... Read more

November 9, 2018November 14, 2018

Medical Marijuana in the UK: So Near and Yet So Far

Columns, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

As I’m writing this, my right arm is tight and my right hand is cramped up. I was out working last night and night work always ... Read more

November 9, 2018November 14, 2018

MS, a Foot Brace, and a Car Crash

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

A tragic car crash involving a man with MS is a reminder that we all should be just a little bit more careful than the average ... Read more

November 8, 2018November 16, 2018

MS and Your Immune System: ‘Tis the Season for the Flu

Columns, Silver Linings - a Column by Jennifer Powell

Fall is my favorite season. I love the change in temperature, the falling of amber leaves, trading flip-flops for loafers, the din of football games, and ... Read more

November 6, 2018November 13, 2018

When the Sun Sets — Chronic Illness, Advocacy, and Mortality

Columns, Patiently Awakened - A Column by Teresa Wright-Johnson

Life. It’s fragile, fleeting, beautiful, and heartbreaking. It is the most precious gift we have. Approximately one month ago, the senior columns editor for BioNews Services received ... Read more

November 6, 2018November 8, 2018

MS Medications in Mexico: Insurer Encourages Patients to Go South

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

MS medications are expensive in the United States. We all know that. We also know that some of those expensive meds are a lot less expensive ... Read more

November 5, 2018November 13, 2018

MS News that Caught My Eye Last Week: Ocrevus in the UK, Environmental Triggers, PPMS Research

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

NICE Postpones Final Opinion on Adding Ocrevus to Public Health System for PPMS Patients in UK This last-minute reprieve from the agency that dictates which medications ... Read more

November 2, 2018November 9, 2018

Turning Information Overload into a Positive

A Life in Letters -- A Column By Jamie Hughes, Columns

Books. Magazines. Journals. Emails. Online articles. Newsletters. Podcasts. Local and cable news. The quantity of information we take in daily is impressive — overwhelming, even. According to ... Read more

November 2, 2018November 1, 2018

How I Managed to Get a Scary Halloween Haircut

Columns, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

“You’ve had a haircut — very smart!” was the greeting at work. Yes, but it was in no way a simple thing. The logistics involved were ... Read more