November 19, 2021 Columns by John Connor My Coffee Cup Runneth Over, Plus a Darned Interruption So, where was I last week? I was in the midst of writing this column when I was felled overnight by my long-term nemesis: a urinary tract infection (UTI). As usual, I had no idea I had one ā but hey, I was ill. Iām sure Iāve banged on…
February 5, 2021 Columns by John Connor Feeling on Top of Things Meant I Nearly Ended Up on My Bottom Would I jinx it? In last week’s column “How Iām Staying on Top of MSā Many āGifts,'” I wrote about being on top of all my MS-induced ancillary symptoms. Wendy, one of my two readers, pointed out that she didn’t want to jinx me. The trouble was that I’d…
August 17, 2020 News by Forest Ray PhD Better Efforts Needed to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections in MS Patients Urinary tract infectionsĀ are a common cause of hospitalization among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), especially older patients with progressive disease, and more attention should be given to theirĀ bladder, catheter, and general physical care, a U.K. study reported. These infections are often linked to an emergency hospital admission, and…
April 17, 2020 Columns by John Connor Zen and the Art of UTI Maintenance I knew a urinary tract infection (UTI) had come a visiting again. I’m now attuned to the slightest hint, like that vague burning after weeing. Indeed, it doesn’t have to burn; it could merely be the faintest tinkle ā which is rather apt! This time, it went on to further…
November 30, 2018 Columns by John Connor In Real Time 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? The superhero metaphor is warranted because, just like in “Avengers: Infinity War,” there will be no resolution by the end. Hmm, I’ve…
September 28, 2018 Columns by John Connor The Morning After the Night Before Last Wednesday morning didn’t go according to plan. I’m lackluster every Wednesday morn because Tuesday nights are myĀ regular work gig at London’s Comedy Store. I laugh too much, drink too much, and don’t get home till about 11:30 p.m. Still, I had a good sleep. My new…
March 2, 2018 Columns by John Connor Going Cold Turkey Usually, I’veĀ got a fair idea of where I’m headed in my column. This time, I really don’t. I’m confronting something. Maybe nothing. It’s as clear as the clichĆ© involving wet, clingy earth. For the first time since the last week in November 2017, I’ve stopped taking antibiotics. That’s…
January 26, 2018 Columns by John Connor The Antibiotic Time Loop My arms are heavy. Strong antibiotics have held off a urinary tract infection (UTI)Ā for the last eight weeks ā evolution isn’t on my side. In fact, I’m distinctly beginning to feel like the British Expeditionary Force in Dunkirk in May 1940. Surrounded, with my only hope over the…
November 17, 2017 Columns by John Connor The Case of the Worried Patient Hypochondria grabs, and it’s very difficult to shake. I spent the past three days eliminating potential reasons for struggling more than usual. Hopefully, it was a urinary tract infection (UTI) that was causing severe lethargy. It might have been at the start; I immediately jumped on a high ph…
September 29, 2017 Columns by John Connor One Day at a Time I was going to write about something else, then my MS got in the way. Intellectually, I know MS is very up-and-down, but often when the down hits, I think the worst has happened. I went to my exercise class this week and struggled. Got home and recovered.
November 24, 2015 News by Patricia Silva, PhD MS Society Funds 3 New Investigations into Symptom Management TheĀ Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society)Ā in the U.K. recently announcedĀ awards targeted towardsĀ new MS research. In total, 16 projects carefully selected by both a panel of experts and patients living with MS will share MS Society 2015 funding grants amounting toĀ Ā£1,979,879. All projects fulfilled the requirements of high scientific…