anyone with info on MS that could offer some advice?

[Catty1]

http://mig.nationalmssociety.org/sit...e=MIG_homepage

This is the best place to search for support and resources.

Maybe ask your friend simply: "What do you need?"

For newly-diagnosed cases, there are some amazing medications. They don't cure (yet) but sure put a crimp in the illness. One young mom I know is on Avonex and doing great!

My sister was too far along for any of the drugs to be tried; she died last year age 48.

Acorda Therapeutics is doing tremendous research in spinal cord injuries and MS. They took over the testing of M1 monoclonal antibodies, which the Mayo Clinic found actually caused the regrowth of myelin in rats. (sorry, rat lovers... ) Also, there is a research link on the lower RHS of the link page.

Myelin is the nerve covering that is scarred "sclerosis" when the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue.

Your friend is likely really depressed right now...I hope her doctors are helping her get connected with treatment.

HUGS

[Catlady711]

One of my friends has MS. She says the medications are horribly expensive and her insurance just won't cover most of them. I don't know much about the disease itself since I never actually asked her details, but she says it does make her very tired frequently.

[Grace]

My dil was diagnosed about 13 years ago. She's one of the lucky ones - on no meds, and never has been. She uses a cane prn and, according to my son, should get more rest. But we thank God every day that she continues to have such an easy time of it.

It can vary so much from one person to another. Poor Annette Funicello has been bedridden for several years I believe.

[crow_noir]

I do know insurance has been a horrible issue she's been struggling with. and she is always sooooo tired every time i've seen her. I'm surprised she has accomplished as much as she has.

One of my friends has MS. She says the medications are horribly expensive and her insurance just won't cover most of them. I don't know much about the disease itself since I never actually asked her details, but she says it does make her very tired frequently.

[Catty1]

I would hope her doctors could intervene in the insurance area and have her meds covered by disability or something....I don't know how Michigan works in that respect....

{{{{hugs}}}}

[crow_noir]

I've tried offering her help several times. I know it is all i can do, that i can't force my hospitality on her because then i'd just be an invasive nuisance.

Avonex ... I'll suggest it to her.

*hugs* So sorry to hear about your sister.

One of my friend's most recent emails, she said to me that it is advance rapidly. Faster than anyone thought it would.

My friend is probably really depressed right now. Besides the issue of her health and the medications she also has two other big issues facing her. *sigh*

What scares me the most out of everything is i don't know how much anyone is trying to help her. I know she has a lot of people offering to help her with this and that doing stuff for her around the house and yard and running errands and such... but i don't know what anyone is doing for HER. In my own head i've labeled it as a "The Secret Garden" scenario. (Wither the exception that she is actually sick.)

repeating myself: and i just don't know where to begin with out knowing what's been tried. Metaphorically (and perhaps figuratively: ) I want to be the one who gets her out of bed and into the garden. ...if no one else is playing that roll. She has so much left to give to the world.

http://mig.nationalmssociety.org/sit...e=MIG_homepage

This is the best place to search for support and resources.

Maybe ask your friend simply: "What do you need?"

For newly-diagnosed cases, there are some amazing medications. They don't cure (yet) but sure put a crimp in the illness. One young mom I know is on Avonex and doing great!

My sister was too far along for any of the drugs to be tried; she died last year age 48.

Acorda Therapeutics is doing tremendous research in spinal cord injuries and MS. They took over the testing of M1 monoclonal antibodies, which the Mayo Clinic found actually caused the regrowth of myelin in rats. (sorry, rat lovers... ) Also, there is a research link on the lower RHS of the link page.

Myelin is the nerve covering that is scarred "sclerosis" when the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue.

Your friend is likely really depressed right now...I hope her doctors are helping her get connected with treatment.

HUGS