Viagra for Women

A new Study has found that Viagra, the little blue pill prescribed to men to help with male erectile disfunction can also significantly help women! Almost all of the 53 women who took part in a study by the center for Sexological Research at the University of Catania requested that they be allowed to continue on the drug. Prior to the Study all the women, aged Under 40 had difficulty becoming aroused and could not achieve orgasm. After taking Viagra the number of sexual fantasies increased, the frequency of love making rose from once a week to several times a week, and the number of orgasms to once or twice a day. Pfizer, the manufacturers of Viagra described these results as interesting.

The Sunday Telegraph

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Viagra Trial for women with MS- Any volunteers?

The National Hospital in London is running a trail on Viagra in MS women but you have to fit the criteria if you want to take part

·Age 18-50 preferably · Pre-menopausal · Able to walk 200 metres · Have sensation below waist · Have no other medical problems · In a stable heterosexual relationship · Able to get to the National Hospital in Central London.

The trial will last three months and is a 'double-blind' study (so you will be taking either the Viagra or a dummy pill.)

If you are interested and fit the criteria please write to: Dr Ranan Dasgupta, Research Fellow, Dept. of Uro-Neurology, The National Hospital, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG PLEASE DO NOT RING!

New Pathways magazine July/August: to subscribe visit: www.msrc.co.uk

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Energy Conservation Techniques

Review the sources of stress in your life, improve your sleep habits, and consider the following energy conservation techniques -- the "Four P's."

**Set PRIORITIES - Do the most important chores first, when you have the most energy, and save less important tasks for last. Limit what you try to accomplish in one day; set realistic goals.

**PACE your activities - Try not to do things too fast; spread activities out over the course of a day, taking short rest periods in between.

**PLAN for efficiency - Try to do things in the most efficient manner possible. Rearrange your kitchen, if necessary, so that meal preparation requires the fewest number of steps and movements.

**Maintain proper POSITIONS and POSTURES - Plan your execution of activities carefully -- for example, standing while chopping foods requires 25% more energy than sitting. Similarly, poor posture taxes the body of needed energy. This information was taken from the article below.

Be sure to check out the references and suggested reading provided at the end of the article. Persistent Fatigue http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1680.51254

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Early MS proves more sensitive to the therapeutic effect of Interferon Beta-1a.

Beta Interferon is proving far more effective when given soon after diagnosis. A study at the University of Milan shows that low doses of Beta Interferon given within 3 months of first neurological symptoms of that strongly suggested MS, reduces the chance of developing the illness. Two years after these initial symptoms 34% of patients taking this drug developed further symptoms compared with 45% taking the placebo. The times scales were also effective in that, patients taking the drug took longer to develop these symptoms- an average of 569 days compared to 252 days for the placebo group.

Though these results are significant, Professor Giancario Comi, who did the study also points out that they do not show that early use of the drug can stop MS. It does show however that treatment ideally should be given as early as possible. There are an estimated 85 000-100 000 people with MS in the UK and only about 8-10 % will actually benefit from Beta Interferon. However in the UK only about 2 000 people with MS are taking the drug and being given the chance to find out if it can help them. Many more are awaiting the verdict of NICE (The National Institute of Clinical Excellence) to see if it gets approved and be made available to people with MS on the NHS.

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Patients Define M.S. in Their Own Words

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/17/health/anatomy/17BOOK.html July 17, 2001.

This book, a collection of essays edited by Margot Russell, a former television producer and broadcaster who has the disease. She approaches the task by focusing on 17 patients who, without self-pity, describe their passages from diagnosis to acceptance. In doing so, they air their concerns, frustrations, anger and, ultimately, acceptance. "When do I bring up M.S. when I'm dating?" muses one man. I must have created M.S. because I am no good at positive thinking," worries a young mother with the disease. Ms. Russell's collection is about how some people cope. A woman has conversations with her disease, pleading with it to go easy on her, then whispering a promise to develop her creative side. Still another woman vows to "rebuild" herself after coming up with her own version of the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme. She asks: "What if the rhyme ended with our dear old egg picking up his own pieces, pulling them all together and becoming whole again?" Perhaps, Ms. Russell suggests, people are most defined by moments of adversity. She writes: "Many people have come to see disease as a gift in their lives. Often, they learn that they are more than their disease, and once freed by that certainty they go on to live the rest of the story."

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MS Society Web-site: www.mssociety.org.uk MS Helpline: 0808 800 8000 (Mon - Fri 9am-9pm.) MS Counselling Lines: Midlands 0121 4764229 (Confidential Service) Address: 25, Effie Road, London, SW6 1EE, Phone: 020 7610 7171 Fax: 020 7736 9861 Email: info@mssociety.org.uk

 

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Colon Hydrotherapy

As I have suffered from constipation due to MS and have a moderate Candida problem (resulting no doubt from the frequent use of steroids and anti-biotics over the years), I decided that possibly the best way to tackle this was to try Colon Hydrotherapy (or Colonic Irrigation). So with some trepidation I booked my appointment with Shirley Jay Lambert.

Before the appointment I filled in a form detailing my medical history and answering questions about my present state of health. I took this along to the Session and was firstly given a Consultation and plenty of advise regarding diet and nutrition. I was then asked to go to the toilet to empty my bladder, change into a white gown (like you get in hospitals) and climb up onto the bed. Then I was given a simple bowel examination before we began.

This therapy involves gently filling the colon with warm filtered water through a small sterile tube, called a speculum. I started lain on my side and then after insertion of the tube I could turn over onto my back. The water flushed in and when it flushes out, it carries with it any material that has built up in the intestine including water, waste matter, toxins and trapped gases. I did find the therapy a bit of an ordeal emotionally but physically it was in no way painful or the cause of any discomfort. During the session Jay would press gently on parts of my lower abdomen to encourage the release of blockages. The final part of the therapy involves replenishing the Colon with friendly bacteria, which is quickly done by squirting a probiotic liquid up the back passage.

Afterwards I did feel pretty washed out! This was not surprising though as during the actual session, which lasted about an hour, about 15 of warm water had been used, of which 10% had been gently flushed through my colon and I had lost more than 5 lbs of waste matter! The next day, however, I felt as good as new and somewhat more buoyant.

Since this time I have had daily bowel movements, which for me is most unusual. I think the sesame seeds I am now eating daily are also helping with this, as seeds are one of the best forms of fibre you can eat, alongside plenty of fruit & vegetables. It makes sense to me that if you are constipated, due to a sluggish digestive system with MS, to give the Colon a good clean out occasionally. The muscles of the Colon get a work-out too which is an added bonus. I believe this therapy is proving beneficial to my overall health and that it could be helpful to people with a variety of medical conditions I have been feeling less bloated, more energetic and somewhat lighter generally, though I would hesitate to give all the credit for this to this therapy.

As this procedure is pretty invasive I wouldn't recommend it as the 'answer' though, especially as it doesn't come cheap, costing between £30 and £45 (depending on how many session you buy). Perhaps tackling the issue of why you keep on needing 'unclogging' in the first place may be a cheaper and better solution in the long-term? Editor (Sylvie Brown): For more information contact:

Colonic International Association, Administrative Department, 16 Drummond Ride, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 5DE (England). Tel. (01442) 825632.. Website: www.colonic-association.com

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A Warrior's Workout

"My strength has gone through the roof. I'm in the best shape right now that I've ever been in my life."

http://www.etonline.com/celebrity/a4706.htm

Montel Williams the TV host with MS has documented his workout regimen in the new book Body Change. He says his 21-day fitness plan will help show anyone the way to a sounder mind and body. But he feels it has been particularly effective for someone such as himself, who needs to work hard each day to protect & preserve his strength. "I don't trip at all any more. I have one of the most insidious chronic diseases out there. It lets me know it's there every day, but this is part of my arsenal to keep it at bay." Montel's "arsenal" includes weight and strength training, balance drills and exercises, and a new diet consciousness that includes lowered carbohydrates and avoidance of chemically processed foods. Montel also says that after his MS diagnosis in 1999, his doctor told him to lower his stress level. "I looked at him and laughed," Montel recalls. "Are you kidding me? With the job I have, I'm going to lower my stress level?" But Montel's new fitness discipline has helped. "The more aerobically fit you become," Montel says, "the more you and your body are able to handle stress." And Montel says perhaps the best by-product of his new "body change" regimen is the energy he has in reserve for the people that matter most.

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Trail Shows Cannabis Does Alleviate MS Symptoms-

Results for the trial run by GW Pharmaceuticals are proving cannabis to be of clear benefit to the 70 British patients on the trial. , significantly reducing pain, muscle spasms and bladder problems. In Part II of the trail participants were given the drug (or a placebo) sprayed under the tongue. Dr Geoffrey Guy, the Chair of GW Pharmacueticals says he now hoped that would be prescribed legally by 2003!

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Sheffield MS Therapy Centre Multiple Sclerosis Do you need to know more? Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre (Sheffield) Ltd, Unit 6, 9 Amos Road, Sheffield, S9 1BX. Tel. 0114 2448435 Webpage: www.mstherapy.fsnet.co.uk

 

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Want to read but finding it difficult?

Try Listening Books If you have trouble reading because of visual problems or difficulty turning pages or holding a book why not try listening book? This audio library is London has an extensive range of over 3000 titles for adults and children, fiction and non-fiction, popular and highbrow, latest best-sellers and favorite classics with new titles every month. Membership for individuals is £50 a year, which includes postage & packing and a specially adapted audio player if required.

For further info please contact: Listening Books, 12 Lant Street, London, SE1 1QH. Tel. 020 7407 9417. Email: info@listening-books.org.uk Website: www.listening-books.org.uk

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Fair Price Mobility Top Quality 3 & 4 Wheel Scooters Just £1 595 £100 donated to GYMS with every scooter sale! Call Steve on: 0114 262 0544 Webpage: www.fairprice-mobility-scooters.co.uk Email: fairprice.mobility@btinternet.com

 

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Joke: Cure that MS!!!

An evangelical faith healer is standing in front of his audience and having already collected his suitably huge amount of cash says 'By the powers Jesus has granted to me, I can cure people of all illnesses-Cancer, AIDS, Venereal diseases, Why I swear to you I can even cure Multiple Sclerosis but before I work my miracles I need two assistants from the crowd'.

His first assistant walks forward gingerly and very carefully on crutches and the faith healer asks 'Son what is your affliction' and the man replies 'I've got multiple sclerosis' .The healer asks the man what his name is and he replies 'Bob' 'OK Bob, I will cure you today of your Multiple Sclerosis but first let's have my other assistant. A man walks forward, nothing obviously the matter and so the healer asks 'Son what is your name' and the man replies 'D-D-D- David'

The faith healer says 'David you've got an awful stutter, Bob you can't walk without crutches there but I will cure you both in the name of the Lord today, Now I need both of you to get behind that screen over there for my miracle to work. Both men get behind the screen and the faith healer mutters some words and then shouts 'In the name of Jesus you are both cured! Bob throw over crutches' and a pair of crutches go flying over the screen.

Encouraged by this somewhat unusual success he says 'David, Say something' and David speaks and says 'B-B-B- Bob's just fallen over'. Sorry folks I know this is in extremely poor taste but I couldn't resist! You have to laugh! Ed.

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New Pathways If you have MS this magazine is a must, packed full of positive and encouraging information to help you live with MS. Don't miss out! Subscription is a payment of £10 (+any donation) made payable to 'MSRC': The MSRC, 7 Peartree Business Centre, Peartree Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 5JN. Email: themsrc@yahoo.com Website: www.msrc.co.uk

 

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Welfare to Work Joint Investment Plan

The Government is concerned that a considerable number of people with a disability, who actually want to work are not able to find paid employment easily, if at all. Each local Authority has therefore been meeting with key agencies, like the NHS, Dept. of Employment, Benefits Agency business managers as well as disabled people themselves to look at the reasons for this and to come up with a solution. The outcome of these meetings is the Joint Investment Plan a report, which details the problems disabled people have been facing and the plan of how this is being tackled.

If you would like a copy of this report & to share your views about it please ring Peter Clark on 2734938.

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Religious Parrots

A lady approaches her priest and says to him, "Father, I have a problem .I have two female parrots but they only know how to say one thing".

"What do they say?" the priest inquired. "They only know how to say, "Hi we're prostitutes. D'ya wanna have some fun?"

"That's terrible exclaimed the priest, " but I have a solution to your problem. Bring your two female parrots over to my house and I will put them with my two male parrots who I taught to pray and read the bible. My parrots will teach yours to stop saying that terrible phrase and will learn to pray and worship instead.

"Thank you!" the woman responded. The next day, the lady brought her female parrots to the priest's house. His two male parrots were holding the rosary beads and praying in their cage. The lady put her female parrots in with the male parrots and the females immediately said "Hi, we're prostitutes. D'ya wanna have some fun?"

One male parrot looks at the other parrot and exclaims "Put the dam beads away Frank, our prayers have been answered!"

Thanks Marie!!! This is a good 'en! Ed.

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