News and Views

Low Dose Naltrexone

There has been a lot of buzz recently about LDN! It appears to be one of the hopes many MSers have been searching for - a way to stop progression. It does not make any claims to improve your current symptoms, although many have reported increased strength and energy, less spasms, less fatigue and other improvements since starting.

The benefits do appear to outweigh any possible risks. Naltrexone is apparently not toxic at such a low dose (it is 1/60th of the dose shown to demonstrate reversible liver toxicity) and the side effects, if any, are minimal. It is affordable, however not covered by any prescription insurance plan in Canada. This is due to the fact that it has not been approved at this dose or for treating MS. An MS Trial would cost millions of dollars and take several years to complete, and the chances of a pharmaceutical company stepping forward to fund that, considering the low cost, is minimal! The best way to tell if LDN is working for you is to take it for a long time and then look back and determine whether or not you progressed!

Please note you cannot take LDN if taking any of the beta interferon drugs (Rebif, Avonex, Betaseron) as these drugs suppress your immune system while LDN stimulates it. Copaxone may be safe but you would need to talk to your doctor or Dr. Bihari, the man behind LDN.

How it works - this is taken from papers written by Dr. Bob Lawrence, a doctor himself with MS that is taking LDN:

• In MS, LDN works by briefly obstructing the effects of brain endorphins (the brain's natural painkillers). This has the effect of stimulating the increased production of these same endorphins, which in turn stimulate the immune system, thus reducing the activity of the MS.
  
• Reports show that 98 to 99% of people with MS on LDN experience no further disease progression in both relapsing-remitting and chronic progressive MS.
  
• The apparent mechanism of action of LDN in this disease parallels that in AIDS and other immune-related diseases. A small dose of the drug taken nightly at bedtime triples the endorphin levels in the body all of the next day restoring levels to normal. Since endorphin levels are low in people with MS, immune function is poorly orchestrated with significant impairment of the normal immune supervisory function of CD4 cells. In the absence of normal orchestration of immune function, some of the immune system cells "forget" their genetically determined ability to distinguish between the body's 100,000 unique chemical structures (called "self") and the chemical structures of bacteria, fungi, parasites and cancer cells (called "non-self") With this loss of immunology memory, some cells begin to attack some of the body's unique chemical structures. In the case of people with MS, the tissue attacked by immune cells (particularly macrophages) is primarily the myelin that insulates nerve fibres. These attacks result in scars in the brain and spinal cord called plaques. LDN in such patients works by restoring endorphins levels to normal, thereby reducing the immune system to resume its normal supervision and orchestration.

For more information about LDN visit their website: www.ldninfo.org

Boston Cure Project

Art Mellor was diagnosed with MS in 2000. In early 2001 Art and his doctor formed the Boston Cure Project to address the problems they saw in the lack of definite direction in the current medical research system, particularly as it applies to Multiple Sclerosis.

A friend once described Art as one of those rare people who doesn't spend his time looking at how things are and asking, "Why?" He is someone who looks at how things should be, and asks, "Why not?"

The Boston Cure Project's goal is to find a CURE for Multiple Sclerosis, quickly, effectively, and without concern for wealth, growth or publicity. They will not be content with simply finding ways to slow the disease or treat symptoms. They are creating a "cure map" and have broken the cause of MS into five categories: genetics, pathogens, toxins, nutrition, and trauma.

The Boston Cure Project is also improving the way research is orchestrated, conducted, and funded. They have an exciting opportunity to not only cure MS, but also achieve a breakthrough in the way medical research is carried out. They will consciously evaluate the existing methods and norms of medical research, adopting those that are effective in helping them to reach their goal, and creating better alternatives for those that are not.

Learn more about the Boston Cure Project: www.bostoncure.org

Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

• On average, the drug industry spends about $28,000 per year, PER physician, marketing their products to physicians. This includes sponsored meals, golf trips, free samples, and parties (T.O. Globe)
  
• Medical treatment (drugs, surgery, hospital infections) result in approximately 250,000 deaths per year, which ranks it as the THIRD cause of death in the U.S. (JAMA, 07/00) Read that again!!
  
• The average North American has between 5-22 lbs of undigested plaque in their bowels. Yuck!
  
• In Japan and many other cultures with basic, unrefined diets, there is no word for "hot flashes".
  
• "Safe" vaccines and flu shots contain a cocktail of various ingredients like thimerosol (mercury), MSG, phenois, aluminum, formaldehyde, ammonium, sulphate, antifreeze, antibiotics, yeast, and some may contain "miscellaneous" RNA and DNA from wild viruses and retro-viruses. Do these sound safe to inject?
  
• Although the Salk vaccine was credited with halting the North American polio epidemic in the late 1940's, the epidemic in Europe ended at the same time without the "benefit" of the vaccine.
  
• The Soviet Union banned the use of microwave ovens in 1976. They have been doing microwave research for decades longer that the west. What do they know that we don't hear about?

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Recommended Reading

Title: From MS To Wellness
Author: Betty Iams

In From MS To Wellness, Betty Iams shares her emotional roller coaster after being diagnosed with Primary Chronic Progressive MS. She went from "stark terror" that she would become helpless like her mother, who lives in a nursing home and has spent the last 30 years in a wheelchair due to MS, to accepting the challenge to overcome this disease.

Her approach to healing was purely logical as she believes our creator designed the human body to heal itself, once we provide it with the proper environment for healing to take place. Betty believes that physical healing is as much about healing the mind and spirit as the body. She takes us on a familiar journey, one which many of us may have been on - looking for answers from every form of health practitioner out there. Her outcome was finding a plan that works for her, and for many others. The four elements she combines and discusses in detail are diet, nutrition, exercise and spiritual growth.

Whether you are dealing with MS or any other affliction, this book will help you. Betty has been there and overcome what many of us see as a hopeless situation. This book is not just about MS, but teaches us how to change whatever we wish to change in our life.

This book gave me the kick in the butt I needed to take responsibility for my MS, and the hope and guidance I needed to set myself on the right path to wellness. At first I had a problem with that one - how can it be MY fault that I have MS? But after much thought and reflection, I saw the truth in that. MS didn't just "happen" to poor little 'ol me. Sure, I was born with a weak immune system, food and chemical allergies/sensitivities and that wasn't MY fault. But from the time I was a teenager I literally lived off junk food. When I left home at 18 and made ALL my own eating choices, my grocery cart was never filled with fresh fruit and veggies. It was macaroni and cheese dinners, instant this and that, lots of white bread and peanut butter. Most nights my room mates and I ordered pizza. I bet I went months at a time without getting a fresh vegetable in me. You can't treat your body the way I did for so many years and not expect it to react. There is also the emotional component - how I handle stress, that I am iron-willed, resistant to change, that I "Should" myself too much... all these things combined are why I have MS. How about you? By taking responsibility, we now have the power to do something about it.

From MS To Wellness can be both previewed and purchased through Betty's website:

BETTY'S HOUSE

For other book purchases: Please note that when you purchase anything through Amazon.ca on the Internet, if you'll use this link, you will be helping support us! Shopping online... what could be more convenient and simple?? Visit our Recommended Reading page for great suggestions!

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Thought For The Day - Positive and Realistic

Is it realistic to be positive when your life is filled with difficult problems? Yes, it most certainly is. Being positive does not mean ignoring or avoiding the problems. Being positive means seeing those difficulties for what they are, and then doing whatever is necessary to move beyond them.

That takes effort and commitment, and it's not easy. Yet it is the best choice by far. Sure, it's difficult to stay positive when there's trouble all around you. And that's precisely when your positive focus can make the biggest difference.

Look straight at those problems and know that there's a way through them. See the magnitude of the challenge and know that it can be done. There's no need to deny reality in order to remain positively focused. With positive energy and commitment you can improve that reality.

There's no need to lose your positive focus in order to be realistic. And it's certainly not necessary to deny reality in order to be positive. Stay positive and realistic at the same time, and you'll truly be changing the world for the better.

-- Ralph Marston

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Final Word

Always remember that you have a choice. How you choose to live with MS is up to you. You can wake up each morning and choose to focus on the parts of your body that DON'T work, or you can focus on the ones that DO. We didn't have a choice about MS showing up in our lives, but we do choose every day how we feel about it and manage it. If your attitude is "damn this disease, it sucks, my life sucks, no one understands how difficult it is for me, I can't do anything for myself..." you are loading unnecessary stress on yourself!

It is hard to let go of those thoughts and not let them take over. But by doing so, you are losing control and giving up the power you DO have over your MS. We all have our moments and yes, it is good to cry sometimes. Especially when newly diagnosed, there is an adjustment period and it can take a long time to understand your own MS and start moving forward. I am in no way discounting the depression and devastation that can come from living with MS - however dwelling on those thoughts and feelings are self-destructive and ultimately lead to a worsening of symptoms. I have been there/done that and I needed lots of help to pull myself out of that mindset, including anti-depressants which I took for three years (I'm off them now). Occasionally I fall into dark moments of grief, fear, and feeling sorry for myself - but then I pick myself up and move on.

There are as many ways to accept our fate and move on as there are persons with MS. Many of you may require medication and other forms of therapy to help you through the rough spots, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, a change in attitude can help pull you out of that dark place too, and that is what MS With Attitude is here for. You have to believe moving forward IS possible!

We are all dealt our cards in life - and it's our choice how we play them. As Sylvie says "I can regard MS as my worst nightmare, or my greatest blessing. That is my choice". No one with MS would say "NO" to the offer of a cure, however until that day comes we need to make choices about how we manage it, feel about it, and live with it every day. If you make the wrong choice one day, remember you can always choose again. Every hour if you need to.

- Donna

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Fun Stuff

A Brief History of Medicine

2000 B.C. - Here, eat this root.

1000 A.D. - That root is heathen, say this prayer.

1850 A.D. - That prayer is superstition, drink this potion.

1940 A.D. - That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill.

1985 A.D. - That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic.

2000 A.D. - That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root.

A Dose of Their Own Medicine

A doctor, a nurse and the Minister of Health have all died and are in line together at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter speaks with them and asks what good each has done in their life.

Doctor: "I have devoted my life to the sick and needy and have had a part in caring for, and healing thousands of poor people."

St. Peter: "That's great. Go ahead to heaven. And what about you, dear?"

Nurse: "I have supported the good doctor and his patients my entire life as an adult."

St. Peter: "Wonderful. Please proceed in with the doctor. And what about you?"

Minister of Health: "It was my goal to ensure all Canadians have access to health care when they need it - I was responsible for the health care of millions of people all over the country."

St. Peter: "Oh, I see. Please go in... but you can only stay for two nights!"