---

Talk Show Host Uses Personal Experience with MS to Raise Awareness.

LOS ANGELES, April 9 /PRNewswire/ --

Spotlight Health, announced today that Montel Williams, Emmy award-winning host and executive producer of his own daytime talk show, "The Montel Williams Show," will spearhead a national multiple sclerosis awareness campaign to educate, support & encourage those affected by MS. The public awareness campaign will feature Williams detailing his ongoing personal battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) through multimediacomponents including the Internet, television, printed materials, educational videos, live events and other tools designed to raise awareness of the symptoms and treatment of MS and the need for further research efforts to find a cure for the disease.

Read more at Spotlight Health's Web site: www.spotlighthealth.com

---

Vitamin D May Help MS Patients

By Emma Patten-Hitt, PhD ATLANTA (Reuters Health)

- Taking vitamin D supplements may positively influence the immune systems of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to researchers. A small study conducted by researchers at Penn State and Helen Hayes Hospital in New York has shown that a daily dose of vitamin D - 1000 IU or two and a half times the recommended dose for adults -- causes changes in blood chemistry that indicate positive effects for multiple sclerosis patients.

Dr. Margherita Cantorna, assistant professor of nutrition, says the study has not been in progress long enough to observe changes in the clinical symptoms of the disease in the patients who participated

``Vitamin D status affects chemicals that modulate the immune system called cytokines, and these changes may benefit patients with MS,'' lead researcher Dr. Margherita Cantorna, of Pennsylvania State University, University Park, told Reuters Health.

According to Cantorna, the study findings are supported by the fact that the number of cases of MS is nearly zero near the equator and increases with latitude in both hemispheres. The increased sunlight near the equator allows the body to produce more vitamin D, and may theoretically reduce the incidence of MS, Dr Cantorna noted in a press release accompanying the abstract last week.

``Doctors should be aware of the detrimental effects of vitamin D insufficiency for their MS patients and make sure they are vitamin D adequate.'' However, Cantorna also pointed out that vitamin D at high doses is toxic.`` MS patients should not take large amounts of vitamin D supplements. They should increase their vitamin D intake under the supervision of their doctors,'' she warned.

---

So keep up the sun-bathing folks! We do need the sunshine vitamin! This is all very new and I am sure we will here more and more about this in the near future! Let's keep one step ahead. Editor

---

Dr. Andrew Weil's dietary recommendations to those who have MS * Decrease protein toward 10 percent of daily caloric intake. Replace animal protein as much as possible with plant protein. * Eliminate milk and milk products, substituting other calcium sources. * Eat organically grown fruits and vegetables as much as possible as well as organic products made from wheat and soy. * Eliminate polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogenated oils, all foods (such as deep-fried foods) that might contain trans-fatty acids. Use extra-virgin olive oil as your main fat. * Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids. * Eat more fruits and vegetables. * Eat ginger and turmeric regularly. Dr Andrew Weil MD, widely acclaimed author and health and nutritional expert. Webpage: www.drweil.com -Book Recommendation- Spontaneous Healing How to Discover and Enhance Your Bodies Natural Ability to Heal Itself by Andrew Weil, M.D.

 

---

 

Cannabis Update Reuters have recently reported that GW Phamaceuticals, a British drug company is hoping to market a cannabis-based medicine specifically targeted at MS sufferers and others subject to extreme pain. It is now entering Phase III clinical trials - the last hurdle before approval is granted. The company say it will offer the benefit of pain relief without 'unwanted psychoactive side effects'. http://www.medicinal-cannabis.org/project/press/med6.html I can't think what any of those 'unwanted' side effects are! What can they mean? LOL! Editor

 

---

Multiple Sclerosis and diabetes are closely linked diseases- Milk protein a common factor

A team of researchers led by Hospital for Sick Children (HSC) senior scientist Michael Dosch has determined that multiple sclerosis and type I (juvenile) diabetes mellitus are far more closely linked than previously thought, including the role cow milk protein plays as a risk factor in the development of both diseases for people who are genetically susceptible.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and type I diabetes mellitus are autoimmune disorders, where the body's immune system attacks its own tissue. The diseases are entirely different clinically, but have nearly identical ethnic and geographic distribution, genetic similarities, and, as is now known, shared environmental risk factors.

In diabetes and MS, there is a long, drawn-out period of silent disease years before the appearance of symptoms and diagnosis of the disease. In diabetes, it is this "pre-diabetes" phase that is targeted by interventions to stop the development of the full-blown disease.

Similar efforts are planned for individuals at high risk for MS. "We are planning a large international study with centres in Canada and the US to test the possibility of interventions during the pre-MS phase," says Dr. Dosch of St.Michael's Hospital & Pittsburgh Children's Hospital.

In the first step to test just how far the similarities between MS and diabetes go, the study's researchers looked for signs of abnormal immunity to cow milk in MS patients. Such abnormalities were indeed found in most patients, suggesting that similar processes may contribute to both diseases. If confirmed in a larger and prospective family study, it may become possible to design dietary means to influence the course of MS as well as diabetes.

---

ATTITUDE IS ALL - MONTEL WILLIAMS

When you're diagnosed with an illness like MS, it's time for you to change your attitude. Period. You can sit around like I did for 60 days and go, 'Oh, woe is me.' And then, you're caught up in 'Oh, woe is me' for the rest of your life. Or, you'll learn at the end of 60 days that 'Oh, woe is me' didn't do anything for me. So, therefore, what do I do for me?

MS is a project for me. It's a project that I will end up getting an A in. If I was in school, I'd get an A in MS. I'll get an A in MS right now in my life, and I will stay on top of it every single day to guarantee that I do that. And that's what's going to make my life better. Am I beating this disease? I don't know. Do I care if I'm beating it? I really don't. Because I feel so much better today than I did yesterday. And I'm going to feel so much better tomorrow. But I'm going to worry about it. I'm going to live it out as long as I can at the maximum that I can, until one day something happens that I can't. And then, I'll live it out at that point at that maximum level.

That's what we have to get people to start thinking. Change their way of thinking. It's not like I'm waiting for MS to catch up with me. Hell with that. I'm going to wait 'til I can beat MS. That's what I'm doing. You just have to decide that you're no longer willing to sit down and let MS ravage you. You want to ravage it. I have a battle with the disease every day. It's good for me. I get up, it's like, Yo! Come on, throw it down! What's the best you have? Because no matter what best that it has, I will beat it, guaranteed.

---

Castle Table Tennis Club's 'Come and Try' Sessions.

For all disabled people come and have a go Venue: The Burton Street Project, 57, Burton Street, Sheffield. Thurdays 3.30-5.30 pm. Castle Table Tennis will be providing coaching sessions for people with any sort of disability. As we have secured funding to provide these sessions they will be free of charge for an initial 10-week period. The coaching sessions are to e led y the England Ranked No.6 player in Great Britain. No matter what your age or disability you an take part in these sessions, just turn up and have a go! If you need any more information please contact Denise Ward Tel. 0114 2342805.

---

MSM (Methyl Sulphonyl Methane)

What it is and how it can help MS.

MSM or is a source of Organic Sulphur, an nutrient so essential to life, it is found in every cell of every animal and plant. It is the forth most plentiful mineral in the body but many people are deficient in this mineral because the sulphur present in foods such as milk, raw meat, fish, grains, legumes (beans), onions, garlic, eggs and vegetables such as broccoli, is often destroyed during processing, refining or even cooking.

Sulphur is needed by the body for many biological processes including ·immune functions, ·the repair of damaged tissue membranes, *myelin repair, *the relief of muscles cramps and of constipation and *maintaining supple joints. It is especially good for *strong hair and nails, *collagen and *healthy skin. It is an *antibacterial and*anti-parasitic and·helps remove toxins from cells, *reduces inflammation and *promotes healing.

With a list of properties like this I am sure you won't take much persuading how helpful it can be to people with MS. Where to get some? Try a good health food store or phone 01600 780 400. Supasulf Powder in pots of 150g: £14.10, 300g: £25.26. Supasulf Tablets in pots of 120: £12.98, 240: £22.49.

---

Both myself and Daniel have started taking this supplement recently and we can both report with that it is working wonders for us. I feel warmer, less fatigued and better generally. As Daniel says this MSM is a gem! So why not give it a try? Editor

---

Sheffield Shop Mobility

Thinking of hiring a scooter to get yourself around town. It is a good idea to book your scooter in advance. Ring 0114 2812278 We are situated on Bank Street, Nr Agos Superstore. Opening times: Mon-Sat 10 - 4pm

Our volunteers will show you how to use the easy controls on our scooters and answer any questions . Shopmobility is offered free of charge to anyone who has a mobility problem (whether temp. or permanent)

For Meadowhall Shopmobility: Tel. 0845 600 6800

---

Physiotherapy Study Findings

Measures of mobility, gait, and balance improve significantly in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) after an 8-week course of physiotherapy, report investigators in Cardiff, Wales. Benefits are relatively short-lived, the researchers find, suggesting that therapy should be ongoing in order to sustain improvement or prevent deterioration.

Dr. C. M. Wiles, of the University of Wales College of Medicine, and associates randomised the order in which 40 patients received each of three experimental courses. For physiotherapy at home or in a hospital outpatient setting, two physiotherapy sessions were administered per week, 45 minutes each, for 8 weeks. The third course consisted of no physiotherapy. All treatment periods were separated by 8 weeks. The home-based physiotherapy sessions focused more on specific functional activities and the hospital-based program was aimed more at specific facilitation. However, there appeared to be no significant difference in benefit between the two types of therapy.

"Whether this study will promote better access to physiotherapy for patients with MS and chronic disability remains to be seen," Dr. Wiles told Reuters Health. "It would certainly be unfortunate if all available resources for MS patients were to be put into the newer disease modifying drugs at the expense of supportive therapies."

http://neurology.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/02/02.14/20010213clin003.htm

---

Gingko Biloba helps memory and information processing

Researchers at the University of Surrey have shown taking 120 mg a day an help maintain brain function and slow down the progression of cognitive decline.

---

Cannabis Trials

The Cannabis in Multiple Sclerosis trial which is being coordinated from Plymouth, UK and will look specifically at the question of whether cannabis, as either whole plant extract or one of its active components, can help the muscle stiffness and spasms that affect multiple sclerosis sufferers. This main trial is being funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC).The MS Society are also funding an additional trial looking at the effects of cannabinoids on incontinence.

The MRC trial which has already began in Plymouth is to be extended and run at another 39 sites around the country. 660 patients are being recruited over the next two years. Each patient will then be randomly allocated to one of three treatments: cannabis oil, tetrahydrocannabinol (a constituent of cannabis) or placebo capsules (containing only vegetable oil). The patients and the doctors will not know which treatment is being taken until after the study, and assessments of muscle stiffness and mobility will be made every few weeks.

The Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield is one of the participating hospitals. So if you have significant stiffness in their leg muscles and want to take part please apply by contacting your Neurologist. If everything goes according to plan, the results of the trail will be published towards the end of 2002. Webpage: www.hs.plymouth.ac.uk/cannabis-trial.htm Email: cannabis-trial@plymouth.ac.uk

---

 

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

Fair Price Mobility Top Quality 3 & 4 Wheel Scooters Just £1 595. Call Steve on: 0114 262 0544 Webpage: www.mobility-scooter.co.uk Email: fairprice.mobility@btinternet.com GYMS would like to THANK FAIR PRICE MOBILITY, for the £50 donation from the second-hand scooter sale to one of our members!!!

---

JOKE FOR YOU!

A man walks into a drug store with his 8-year old son. They happen to walk by the condom display, and the boy asks, "What are these, Dad?" To which the man matter-of-factly replies, "Those are called condoms, son.... Men use them to have safe sex." "Oh I see," replied the boys pensively. "Yes, I've heard of that in health class at school."

He looks over the display and picks up a package of 3 and asks, "Why are there 3 in this package." The dad replies, "Those are for high school boys. One for Friday, one for Saturday, and one for Sunday." "Cool!" says the boy. He notices a 6 pack and asks, "Then who are these for?" "Those are for college men." the dad answers, "TWO for Friday, TWO for Saturday, and TWO for Sunday."

"WOW!" exclaimed the boy, "then who uses THESE?" he asks, picking up a 12 pack. With a sigh, the dad replied, "Those are for married men. One for January, one for February, one for March........"

---

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! In the May edition there is an article mentioning GYMS!

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

---

Joke A young drunk had been drinking at a pub all night. The bartender finally said that the bar was closing, so the drunk stood up to leave and fell flat on his face. He tried to stand one more time with the same result. He figured he'd crawl outside for some fresh air and maybe that would sober him up. Once outside he stood up and fell flat on his face, so he decided to crawl the four blocks home. When he arrived at his front door he stood up again and again fell flat on his face. He crawled through the door and into his bedroom. When he reached his bed he tried one more time to stand upright, this time he managed to pull himself up but fell quickly straight into bed and was sound asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He was awakened the next morning by his wife, who was standing over him shouting "So you've been out drinking again!" "What makes you say that?" he asked putting on an innocent look. "The pub called - You've left your wheelchair there again!!" Thanks Carol (MS Therapy Centre) for this joke, which I can blame entirely on you!!! Editor

Nutty Newspaper Headlines Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over Enraged Cow Injures Farmer with Axe Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told Miners Refuse to Work after Death Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant Two Soviet Ships Collide, One Dies Two Sisters Reunited after 18 Years in Checkout Counter

---

Shake It Off and Step Up …something to ponder on.

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying', and after carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbours together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbours continued shovelling and the dirt hit his back ... a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back he should...SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity. THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity...THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT & BLESS US!

---

 

HOW TO IMPRESS A WOMAN Compliment her, cuddle her, kiss her, caress her, love her, stroke her, tease her, comfort her, protect her, hug her, hold her, spend money on her, wine & dine her, buy things for her, listen to her, care for her, stand by her, support her, go to the ends of the earth for her HOW TO IMPRESS A MAN: Show up naked. Bring Beer

Send your newsletter contributions to: Sylvie Brown (Editor): Web-page: www.livingwithms.co.uk/ms Email: sylvia.m.brown@blueyonder.co.uk Jokes, articles, experiences, poems, useful contacts & other ideas welcome!