NPWM 2009 0053

The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre’s Bi-monthly magazine
January/February 2009
Yo u r M S m a g a z i n e o f c h o i c e Issue 53
From
Wheelchair
To Cycling
Super
Scuba
Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre Tel: 01206 505444 or you can contact us by
email: info@msrc.co.uk Website: www.msrc.co.uk
The MS 24 Hour Telephone Counselling Service: 0800 783 0518 & press 1
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18 24 30 44
Contents January/February - Issue 53
6-8. News & Snippets 22-23. More News 40-42. Social Networking
Parasite may hold clues for MS & Snippets On the Web
treatment; Chlamydia Varicella virus link with MS; Even if you’re stuck at home,
Pneumoniae – a possible cause Genetic flaw link to MS; Sex there are plenty of new friends
of MS? Stem cells may not heal hormone to treat MS; New pill out there just waiting to be
demyelinated spinal cord in MS; better than injections; Stem cell discovered. Ian Cook writes about
Does environment cause myelin repair more complex various social networking sites,
increase of MS among women? than thought; New MS stem cell some just for people with MS.
Britain in top 25% for treatment labs open.
of MS but lags behind in access 44-45. Short Story Writing
to disease-modifying drugs; 24-25. Detox When Ian Marshall found
Vaccine hope in virus link to MS; Kidney function and MS. Susie himself at home, he discovered
Sativex not linked to mental Cornell writes on how to a talent for writing he didn’t
problems; Personal rehab support your kidneys. know he had.
helpful for MS; Half of MS
patients don’t respond to beta- 26-27. The Ashton 46. Recipe
interferon treatment; Embry Column Spinach and orange stuffed
Monosodium glutamate and chicken breasts wrapped in
aspartame link to MS. On Terry Wahls MD. Ashton
thinks that combining what Terry Parma ham – for a special
10-12. Postbag – Your Letters Wahls does together with the occasion. By Andrew and Liz
Best Bet Diet is the way to go. Watson.
The real story about MS; Taboo
subject needs airing; So much 28. It Worked For Me 47-49. More News
vitality! Join my stay up late & Snippets
campaign – I don’t want to go to – The T-Roll
bed at 6.30pm! The wow factor Spasms and sleepless nights are Research into vaccine for coeliac
better than X Factor; MS Bristol a thing of the past since Charlie disease; Pill for MS being
and MS in the South West. Gee discovered the T-Roll. trialled; Ban on LDN imports but
patients not affected; Tysabri:
12. Money-Saving Tips 30-32. Complementary Useful in childhood MS; Take-up
Hints on how to save Therapies – Reflexology very low; New death reported;
££££££££££££££££’s LDN petition; New treatment for
Ian Cook writes about what secondary progressive MS.
reflexology is and how it can be
13. Cryptic Crossword of help in MS. 49. Cryptic Crossword Answers
By Charlie Gee. Clues.
34-37. Life Is For Living 50-51. Rights & Benefits
14-17. Terry Wahls’ Story – – Scuba Diving – “ I Can’t The Community Care Assessment
From Wheelchair To Riding Describe How Brilliant It Felt.” explained, by Emma Rowe.
A Bike On dry land, MS may affect your
Thanks to brain nutrients and balance and movement, but 52. MSRC
neuro-muscular stimulation. under water you can be Alastair Hignell, msrc’s Patron,
weightlessly graceful. By Charlotte writes about winning a BBC
18-20. MealSafe Mitchell and Louise Cabral. Sports Personality of the Year
Janet Orchard, a devotee of the Award.
Best Bet Diet, has made an 39. The Sing For Joy Choir
extensive list of all the foods Debbie Ensor discovers there 53. Competition
which are allowable, not really is joy singing with a choir. Win a Mend Your Health
allowable or should be used vibration trainer!
with caution. Christmas Prize Draw winner.
FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 3

Editorial
Dear New Pathways Readers

The name Roger MacDougall, out there in cyberspace. On page longer go out to work due to his
who started the gluten-free diet in 40, Ian Cook investigates several MS, he sought other ways to keep
the 1970s, is well known to many networking sites and talks to busy at home and discovered he
people with MS. Now, Terry Wahls, people with MS who have made could write! Ian tells his story
an American doctor with MS, is new friends that way. on page 44 and we also print an
likely to become just as well Whenever we do an article on extract from one of his
known as the person who came up an activity that seems out of adventure stories.
with a diet high in nutrients bounds to many of you, I always When Debbie Ensor joined a
needed for the brain and central keep in mind that some of the choir of disabled people she had
nervous system. people who do them can in fact be no idea she would get such joy
Terry Wahls MD was getting quite disabled with MS. Charlotte from singing, even though she
worse. Then she got better. She Mitchell, for example, took up admits her voice isn’t up to much
used to be in a wheelchair, but scuba diving even though she uses on its own. Read her inspiring
now she is able to cycle for miles a wheelchair. Read the inspiring article is on page 39.
and looks the picture of health. article on scuba diving on page 34. We congratulate our Patron
She achieved this amazing New Year is traditionally the Alastair Hignell for having won a
turnaround in just nine months by time when we want to detox. In BBC Sports Personality Award,
following a diet high in particular Susie Cornell’s article on page 24 which he writes about on page 52.
nutrients, and stimulating her she describes how to support the We also have a bumper crop of
muscles with a machine. Exactly liver and kidneys in any detox. News & Snippets, an interesting
what she did is explained in an We are pleased to introduce the mix of Postbag, and a delicious
article about her on pages 14-18. MSRC’s new Welfare Rights Adviser, chicken recipe.
Also, Ashton Embry has devoted Emma Rowe. She has MS herself, Best Wishes and All The Best
his column to Dr Wahls. He thinks and so does her husband. This issue, for 2009,
that combining the Best Bet Diet she writes about the Community Judy Graham,
with her diet is the way to go. Care Assessment on page 50. Editor.
If you are on the Best Bet Diet, Reflexology is a well tried
you will be interested to read the complementary therapy useful in
MealSafe article by Janet Orchard MS. Ian Cook writes about how it
on page 18. After a huge amount can help MS on page 30.
of work, Janet – herself a We are always pleased to pass
dedicated BBD supporter – came on hints and tips on things that
up with a spreadsheet containing make a real difference to quality of
all the foods you can eat, can’t eat, life. Charlie Gee tried out a thing
and should be cautious about. called the T-Roll, which he puts
Even if you’re stuck at home, between his wayward legs at night.
there’s no reason to be lonely. With Since he’s been using it he’s been
so many social networking sites on able to sleep all night. Read his
the internet now – some just for article on page 29.
people with MS - new friends are When Ian Marshall could no Judy Graham
EDITOR: Judy Graham PRODUCTION EDITOR: Helen Yates DESIGN AND LAYOUT: www.tickledpinkdesign.co.uk
PRINTED BY: Direct Solutions. Tel: 01255 221322 PUBLISHED BY: The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre,
7 Peartree Business Centre, Peartree Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex CO3 0JN. Tel: 01206 505444 Fax: 01206 505449
email: info@msrc.co.uk
New Pathways and its publishers do not guarantee the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers or accept responsibility
for any statement which they express in this publication. Articles are considered on the basis that they are the author’s original work.
All rights reserved. No part of New Pathways may be reproduced or restored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way without prior
Charity no 1033731 permission of the Editor.
4 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

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News & Snippets
If you have anything for this section please write to News & Snippets:
New Pathways, MSRC, 7 Peartree Business Centre, Peartree Road,
Stanway, Colchester, Essex CO3 0JN
Tel: 01206-505444 Fax: 01206-505449 e-mail:info@msrc.co.uk
Parasite May Hold Clues For MS Treatment

Scots researchers are trying According to Iain McInnes, Professor of
to understand why MS and Experimental Medicine at the University of Glasgow
other auto-immune diseases and a member of the research team, ES-62 appears to
are rare in countries where act like a “thermostat” effectively turning down
parasitic worm infections disease-causing inflammation while leaving essential
are common. defence mechanisms intact.
Parasitic worms can live The research team from Glasgow and Strathclyde
inside the bodies of people Universities is going to try and produce a synthetic
living in the tropics without causing them any version of the ES-62 molecule from the worms in an
trouble. It is believed that a substance - ES-62 - effort to come up with an anti-inflammatory therapy
found in the bloodstream of people infected with one that works effectively for auto-immune diseases
type of parasitic worm – the filarial nematode worm including MS .
-may provide some protection against diseases Source: Artwoo ClknGo Software Corporation.
including MS. (24/11/08)
Chlamydia Pneumoniae - A Possible Cause

Of MS?
Researchers at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine in incidence of multiple sclerosis
Nashville, Tennessee, have found a specific type of in women who tested
bacterium - Chlamydia Pneumoniae - in each one of positive for the presence of
the 37 MS patients they studied. Chlamydia Pneumoniae
A relationship between risk for multiple sclerosis antibodies.
and infection with Chlamydia Pneumoniae has been Source: Renegade
shown before in a study published in the March 2003 Neurologist - A Blog by
issue of Epidemiology. In that study Harvard David Perlmutter, MD, FACN
researcher Kassandra Munger found a 70% increased (20/11/08)
Stem Cells May Not Heal Demyelinated

Spinal Cord In MS
Cambridge University researchers have reported for treating neurological disorders
disappointing results from experiments where stem because they have been shown in
cells from a rat’s bone marrow were implanted into other studies to have the ability
the demyelinated spinal cord of another rat to help to migrate to areas of inflammation
remyelinate the damaged area. and tissue damage.
The experiments were unsuccessful because the “Our results contrast with
stem cells did not lead to remyelination but instead previously published reports that
migrated into areas of normal tissue causing damage demonstrated robust Schwann cell
to axons or nerve fibres. remyelination after bone marrow
Despite the disappointing results, Dr. David Hunt of stromal cell injection,” reported Dr.
the Centre for Brain Repair at Cambridge feels that Hunt. “An important difference in
further experiments with the stem cells - called MSCs results may lie in the distinct methodologies used to
or multipotent mesenchymal stem cells - are called culture MSCs.”
for. He said that these cells were still a promising tool Source: Eureka Alert! (13/11/08)

Does Environment Cause Increase in MS
Among Women?
A conference on ‘Multiple Sclerosis and Gender’, treating women with MS. Several
has taken place to discuss scientific views on why MS phase III clinical trials are already
is increasingly a “gender imbalanced” disease underway that will hopefully
affecting women three times more often than men provide answers to this question
One of the main focal points of the conference - by the end of 2009.
organised by the independent European Charcot Other attention is increasingly
Foundation - was the effect of pregnancy on disease turning to environmental factors
progression. MS practically disappears during the last that may increase MS risk in
three months of pregnancy and the conference women. These include smoking,
looked at how knowledge of natural female sex viral infections, vitamin D
hormones - such as estriol, progesterone and deficiency, hygiene changes and dietary factors.
prolactin - can be used to develop new ways of Source: Medical News Today (18/11/08)
Britain In Top 25% For Treatment of MS But Lags

Behind in Access to Disease-Modifying Drugs
Britain is in the top quarter of a new 32-nation a maximum possible of 270. The 32-country average is
European league table for treating patients with MS. But 155, with the UK in eighth position with 192 points.
the UK lags behind in access to disease modifying drugs. When it comes to the percentage of MS patients
The “league table” – an annual survey by the receiving disease modifying drugs the situation is not
European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP) - takes so rosy with the UK lagging behind other Western
into account things like the ratio of neurologists to MS European countries. The figure was 90% of MS
patients, time-limited MS treatments, the availability of patients in Luxembourg, 70% in Germany, and just
specialist clinics and other treatment and follow-up 14% in the UK with Poland lagging well behind at 2%.
care. The information is then used to score points with Source: The Press Association (14/11/08)
Vaccine Hope in Virus Link to MS

An Australian neurologist has said a glandular fever MS and does not take into account the influence of
vaccine, once fully tested, could be given to children genetic and environmental factors which can also
who have a diagnosed relative with MS. trigger the disease.
Dr Michael Pender, neurologist at Royal Brisbane and Robert Booy, professor in paediatrics with the
Women’s Hospital, made this statement after Australian National Centre for Immunisation Research at the
research confirmed a link between the Epstein Barr virus Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Australia, said that
-which causes glandular fever - and MS. until scientists could establish the exact cause of MS,
Some Australian doctors are more cautious than Dr it was impossible to ensure a vaccine did not contain
Pender, warning that the glandular fever vaccine has proteins which could trigger MS.
not been fully tested as a preventative measure for Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (19/11/08)
Sativex Not Linked With Mental Problems

Treatment with the cannabis-based drug Sativex did interpersonal sensitivity, aggressiveness, and
not bring on mental illness and did not impair the paranoiac features might arise. It was said, however,
mental faculties of a group of MS patients who were that further research would be necessary to confirm
new to taking the drug, research has found. this finding. The research was published in the journal
However, researchers noted that at doses higher Clinical Neuropharmacology (October 23, 2008)
than those used for therapeutic purposes, Source: Pubmed - PMID: 18978501 (12/11/08)

News & Snippets
Personal Rehab Helpful For MS

An individualised rehabilitation improvements in walking and self care.
programme effectively reduces Overall, 70.8 per cent of patients in the
disability in MS, according to a study individualised programme group improved, compared
published in the Journal of with 13 percent of those in the standard care group.
Neurology, Neurosurgery, More patients in the standard care group deteriorated
and Psychiatry. over the study period.
In the study 101 people with MS Patients in the individualised programme group
were randomly assigned to an received comprehensive multidisciplinary
individualised programme or rehabilitation over 12 months, which included
standard care. Significantly reduced intensive treatment aimed at patient education,
disability was seen in the health promotion, bladder retraining, and
individualised programme group mobilisation.
who also showed greater overall Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and
independence as well as specific Psychiatry, November 2008. (13/11/08)
Half of MS Patients Don’t Respond to Beta

Interferon Treatment
Only half of MS patients taking beta interferon of lesions but then did not experience further
responded to treatment over three years, according reductions. Two never reached a 60 percent level of
to a study in the January 2009 print issue of Archives reduction and two more failed to respond during the
of Neurology. first six months but reached and maintained at least a
Researchers from the National Institute of Neurological 60 percent reduction in lesions thereafter.
Disorders and Stroke at Bethesda, Maryland, USA., Three patients in the responder group and all seven
assessed 15 patients with MS who during a 3 year patients in the non-responder group experienced at
treatment period received injections of 250 micrograms least one relapse during the treatment phase.
of beta interferon under the skin every other day. The researchers said that approximately half of
Eight of the 15 patients achieved a 60 percent patients fail beta interferon therapy from an MRI
reduction in the number of lesions measured at six- perspective. However, they did note that a small
monthly intervals and were therefore classified as proportion of patients showed a delayed but
responders. Of the seven non-responders, three eventually sustained response to beta interferon.
initially experienced a reduction in the total number Source: Science Codex (11/11/08)
Monosodium Glutamate and Aspartame

Link To MS
Ingredients commonly found in food have been Researchers such as neurosurgeon Russell Blaylock
named as a possible cause of MS and other auto- and others have suspected for a long time that
immune diseases. Excitotoxins – amino acids that excitotoxins can cause auto-immune disease,
excite the nervous system and also cause neurological and their concerns have recently
damage – are suspected of causing these diseases. been supported by a study from
The two most common excitotoxins are the the Albert Einstein College of
flavouring monosodium glutamate (MSG) and the Medicine in New York.
artificial sweetener aspartame, but they are also Source: What Doctors
hidden behind ingredients such as hydrolyzed Don’t Tell You & Townsend
proteins, hydrolyzed oat flour, sodium caseinate, Letter, 2008; 304: 28-29).
calcium caseinate and yeast extract. Soybean extract is (06/11/08)
also rich in glutamate.

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Postbag Your Letters
Do you have something to say or helpful information to pass on? Whether it’s gripes and groans, a pat on the
back, or hints and tips, we’d love to hear from you. Please write to: Judy Graham, Editor, New Pathways,
MSRC, 7 Peartree Business Centre, Peartree Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex CO3 0JN
Tel: 0800 783 0518 or 01206 505444 Fax: 01206 505449 e-mail: info@msrc.co.uk
pass on my condolences to Jacqui
Murray on the sad death of her
husband Sean, and secondly,
thank her for taking time to write
this article.
This issue on death and dying is
one that society has as a taboo
and no one likes to talk about the
issues. I gained a diploma in
Health & Social Welfare from the
Open University and the final
course that I took was issues in
death and dying. This course
covered all aspects from funeral
directors and doctors and it also
looked at all the issues around the
right to die, as in the campaign
Sean Murray with wife Jacqui (in pink) and sister Pauline that Debbie Purdy is involved.
What I would like to say is that
The Real Story About MS at school). That’s less than £2
in this course there was a view
an hour for 35 hours. So much
Dear New Pathways, from some of those in the medical
for the minimum wage.
At last a real article in New profession who see death as
This would not be paid if I took
Pathways Magazine. Jacqui failure because they could not
my pension of £90. I would still
Murray’s is the real story help or prevent the person who
have to cook, feed
about MS. was ill from dying. The course
and look after her pills etc or
My wife has had MS for over 16 also looked back at society’s view
should I refuse and let the State
years and I stopped reading the on death and how it has changed.
look after her?
articles to her as it just depressed In Victorian times people did
Dennis Little
her. Our small town (pop 2,200) speak about death; it was seen as
Ed replies: I am really sorry to
has at least 6 MS sufferers, of part of life whilst matters of a
hear of your situation. Whilst I
which five can’t walk let alone ski, sexual nature were taboo to
respect the reality of you and
they exist. them. It may be said that the
your wife, I would also say that
My wife has a baclofen pump reverse is true of society today, in
each of us with MS has our own
which allows her to lie more
reality, in which some are lucky
comfortably in bed but she can The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre’s Bi-monthly magazine
enough to still be able to ski.
only sit in her wheelchair for 4 November/December 2008
New Pathways tries to reflect

hours because of pressure sores.
these varied realities and
We have no complaints about
maintain the Life Is For Living Yo u r M S m a g a z i n e o f c h o i c e
the health service. She goes to
Issue 52
philosophy. As to Carers, we
Glasgow (200 mile round trip)
often cover these issues as News
every seventy days to refill the
or Snippets in New Pathways. But
baclofen pump and her local
if anyone would like to write
doctor and physiotherapist are a
about the carer’s issues that
great help.
affect them, I would be pleased New Drug
Another point which never A Miracle
to receive them.
comes up in the magazine that I
am aware of is the meanness of
the “caring government” which
will take away my carer’s Taboo Subject Needs Airing
allowance if I take my state Dear New Pathways
pension. I get about £60 a week Re article in issues 52 “Nobody The Joy
Of Skiing
carer’s allowance (we have a child warned us about this everyone Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre Tel: 01206 505444 or you can contact us by
email: info@msrc.co.uk Website: www.msrc.co.uk
seems to run a mile”. Can I first The MS 24 Hour Telephone Counselling Service: 0800 783 0518 & press 1

that people will talk more openly nightshift not just for people with
on sexual issues and it could be multiple sclerosis but also others
said that there is a fear in matters who need carers to put them to
that relate to death. bed. It would be something that
I totally agree with Jacqui when the MSRC could get involved in.
she writes about Sean and his Best Wishes,
final act of courage with his Charlie Gee,
donation to the tissue bank, and Lancashire.
with the question that is posed to
health professionals, about them
running away rather than The ‘Wow’ Factor
observing what is going on. Dear New Pathways,
The Hospice movement has Join My Stay Up Late I would just like to say how
done so much in relation to its Campaign - I Don’t Want pleased I was to see my ‘Short
work with those who are dying; it To Go To Bed At 6.30pm! Story’ published in the Sept/Oct.
may be that the rest of the issue of ‘New Pathways’. I felt as
Dear New Pathways,
medical profession and society if the ‘Wow’ Factor was much
One of the things I am not
can learn from the way that it is better than the ‘X Factor’ in this
happy about having multiple
dealt with by them. instance.
sclerosis is having to go to bed
I hope that Jacqui continues to Best Regards,
early. I was always a bit of a night
do well, Debra Llewellyn
owl when I was fit so it took some
Clive Whiteside Swansea
getting used to having carers
North Lanarkshire
come to put me to bed sometimes
as early as half past six!
It may be all right for somebody MS Bristol And Multiple
So Much Vitality! 80 or 90 years old but for me Sclerosis In The South West
Dear New Pathways, someone who is for the moment
Dear New Pathways,
I wanted to thank you for the still under 60 it wasn’t very good
When I came back to Bristol in
great article in New Pathways. to say the least. I got myself a big
2007, I began working with the
The magazine has so much television in my bedroom which
Nailsea MS Therapy Centre then
vitality and range of interesting helped but I can’t say I was happy
joined the MS Research, Training
content - you certainly deserve to about the situation.
and Education (MSR) charity
win an award! This was the norm until a
within the Bristol General
Just to keep you up to date I couple of years ago when the
Hospital. This is where I met
have now launched my new book council where I live brought out a
Shaun McCarthy who worked as a
‘Taming the Stress Bunnies -for night shift and now they come to
fundraiser for another MS charity
improved health’ and offer a free me at 11 o’clock every night. This
– BRAMS at Frenchay Hospital.
chapter from my website below. has changed my life for the better
I quickly formed an “alliance”
Many thanks and best wishes so much.
with Shaun and we realised that
Caroline Khambatta On my recent visit to
the seven or so organisations that
WISE STEPS Woodlands it gave me an
we knew of in the Bristol/Bath
for health, work & life balance opportunity to talk to other
area were working alone for
01280 822422 people who have multiple
themselves, and yet, all working
www.wisesteps.co.uk sclerosis and one of the things we
towards a common aim of
To read Caroline’s new ebook talked about was what time we
HELPING people who have
‘Taming the Stress Bunnies - for went to bed. To the people I
Multiple Sclerosis.
improved health’ free chapter talked to it was one of the main
This is when I came up with the
available at bones of contention. ‘They come
“MS Bristol” idea. Why not bring
http://stressbunnies.org/ round to me at seven o’clock. You
all the charities within the area
feel like a child!’ When I told
together under ONE banner? Why
them they came round to me at
not form an organisation or a
11 o’clock they were taken aback.
central information point for
I think everybody in the country
people with MS to access these
should have the opportunity to
excellent organisations?
have the same service. I know it
And so it came about. Mark
wouldn’t suit everybody and in
Whitehouse, who had designed
some ways that is a good job but
the website for BRAMS and MS
I think everybody countrywide
Nurses and now Nailsea Therapy
should have the opportunity to
Centre, offered to design the MS
stay up later if they want to.
Bristol site. We promoted it and it
With this in mind I think we
was agreed by all seven parties
should start a campaign to get a

Postbag Your Letters
and was up and running by A lot of the charities are largely the www.msbristol.org.uk
August 2008 – unknown to people with MS in website. But it’s a bit difficult for
www.msbristol.org.uk. the area. me at the moment as I am 6
Shaun and I walked the Bristol I received ONE solitary thank months pregnant! If anyone else
Half Marathon and I raised £2,800 you letter from one of the is interested, please DO join us in
for the 7 charities and gave out the charities – the Warminster our MS Crusade!!!
money to the charities - £400 each. Therapy Centre – for the £400 Samantha Massey
Despite this, the MS charities in donated to them. No other Bristol
the area are still dissipated. They charity has officially sent a thank Tel: 01179 084 617
don’t work together. They don’t you letter. Alter Tel: 01249 719858
really have any great connection At some point I will get Mob: 07729 033736
to the health services in the area. together with Shaun to promote Email: sam@datam.co.uk
Money Saving Tips

These days of the Credit Crunch, all of us are looking ownership’ - that big car might be a bad idea or that
for smart ways to make our money go further. So, if you cheap screwdriver might be a false economy.
want to save £££££, go to the Message Board on the Always remember quidco.com (or alternatives)
mrsc website at www.msrc.co.uk and look for ‘Over The when buying something online.
Garden Fence.’ There, members are giving their excellent Negotiate a discount - don’t accept a quote without
saving tips, from foods with money off at a particular holding out for a better deal.
supermarket to broadband providers and so much more. Optimise the utilities you do use - lite broadband
Here’s just a small sample of the kind of tips you packages, better calling plans, PAYG mobile etc.
shouldn’t miss. The tips and products change on a Avoid volume contracts where you can - do you need
daily basis, so keep looking – and add your own! 800 minutes a month? ‘free’ calls during the day?
Sainsbury’s own brand Basics curry sauce – 5p. Cancel Direct Debits and subscriptions you don’t
“And it’s lovely”, says Chris K. use - e.g. magazines, papers, gym, etc.
Morrisons Value Fresh Mince - £2. “It makes at least Ditch newspapers and read news online - learn
4 good meals. Just add a Value /chilli or spagbol about RSS newsreaders! (try netvibes.com)
sauce ...voila”. Chris K I enjoy financial blogs such as www.thesimpledollar.com
Would recommend O2 if you are thinking of Reduce transport costs where possible - avoid the
changing your ISP. Basic packages start at £12.50 or journey (phone instead) or use a cheaper alternative.
£7.50 per month if you are an O2 customer. Speed is Reduce car running costs - tyre inflation, slower
good, unlimited download – Squiffy. driving, anticipate the need to brake, remove roof
I sometimes check the following site out before I go racks, lighten the load, etc.
shopping, it lists all the stores’ bargains in order of Book in advance - for things like train journeys (or
percentage of bargain! Elaine. consider two single tickets).
www.madaboutbargai...fers/Off_Your_Trolley.htm Be flexible - e.g. to take advantages of sales on
I would also suggest that people sign up to Martin’s flights, holidays, etc.
Newsletter if they haven’t already! Elaine Get on your bike (for those who can) - lowers travel
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips/15-10-2008/ costs and makes you healthier.
Webmaster Squiffy – real name John Habkirk – Don’t buy things you don’t need.
offers these tips: Whatever the discount (do you really need the
List and prioritise your outgoings - pay attention to book, CD or DVD?)
larger, unnecessary or frequently occurring expenditures. Set the heating timer, turn down the heating a
Make a budget and stick to it degree or two, wear an extra layer, switch it off.
Be sure everything you buy or own makes you Turn down your water temperature a degree and
happier, healthier or wealthier use the cold tap instead of hot tap when you can.
Switch utility supplier deals - e.g. phone, I would add: - Never pay full price for anything,
broadband, mobile, gas, electric, insurances. especially clothes. Wait for the companies you like to
Note all renewal dates to give time for a switch. buy from to have a sale. There’s nothing more
Shop around on everything you buy - try annoying than seeing something with 80% off when
mysupermarket.com, online price comparison sites you paid full price for it a few weeks ago!
and find the cheapest online providers. By Judy Graham
I think about ‘through-life cost’ or ‘total cost of

Cryptic Crossword
You’ll need issue 52 of New Pathways

to get some of the answers.
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8
10 11
12 13
14 15 16
17 18
19 20 21 22
23 24
25 26
By Cryptic Charlie Gee

Answers, with some explanations on page 49
Across Down
7. Expression of praise for dual pit organisation? (7) 1. Against the law in Scotland although
8. On your own in the outskirts of Botany Bay, still egalitarian. (7)
it's nonsense! (6) 2. Usually a translation that is underwritten. (8)
10. Give an honour to in the best owner tradition. (6) 3. Large toupee for someone of importance. (6)
11. Rain came about for somebody on the other side 4. Is it a damp place to sleep? (8)
of the pond. (8) 5. Many an atom gets medicated liquid. (6)
12. The ultimate in shoes. (4) 6. To decorate again in a palindromic way. (7)
13. He found the benefits of a cold dip in the 9. Hirsute madcap idea. (4-7)
last issue. (4,6) 15. Sort deal out for something worn by dancers. (8)
14. A path often used. (4-7) 16. Ovoid nutted intellectuals. (8)
19. Chris, he wrote a book about what can happen 17. Mother man a colour. (7)
when life is interrupted by serious disease in the 18. Run away over churches and charges
last issue. (10) exorbitantly. (7)
22. Girl a swimming contest. (4) 20. Holidays are set about this time. (6)
23. Eases cap broadcast painting. (8) 21. Want the French to get the point. (6)
24. The Spanish not odd football team. (6)
25. A motorcycle race finishes and is present. (7)
26. Baits opposing batsmen and they help to get
through the snow! (7)

Recovery Story
This Woman
Went From
A Wheelchair
To Riding
Dr Terry Wahls five years ago A Bike Dr Terry Wahls today
Thanks to Brain Nutrients and Neuro-Muscular

Stimulation - The Story of Terry Wahls M.D
By Judy Graham, New Pathways Editor
very so often, we hear of someone with convinced that these nutrients made a real difference.
E MS who has got better instead of worse.

This happened recently to an American
woman called Terry Wahls M.D, and the fact that
Terry went on studying and discovered that if there
are not enough of the co-factors or anti-oxidants in
the cell, a lot of free radicals are generated, causing
she is a medical doctor means we should oxidative stress. Those free radicals, if not quickly
particularly sit up and take notice. neutralized, could harm the mitochondria or the
Terry Wahls M.D, who is an associate professor of cellular DNA.
medicine at the University of Iowa, has had secondary
progressive MS since 2003. Five years ago, she was in a Mitochondria – The Powerhouse
wheelchair. Then, after intensive research, she devised a Of The Cell
treatment involving eating nutrients for the brain and Gradually Terry Wahls developed different theories
using an electro-stimulation machine. Now, she can about MS. First, she decided that mitochondria are
walk, teach, and ride a bike for miles. Terry, 53, lives in central. Mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, need
Iowa City with her two teenage children and partner. to be healthy for the body to be healthy. Mitochondria
When she was first diagnosed, her neurologist are the parts of the cell which convert the food we eat
prescribed Copaxone, then Novantrone, then Tysabri, into ATP, the molecule that stores energy for the cell.
then Cellcept. Despite this, she still got slowly and ATP is what is used by the brain cell to do all of its
steadily worse. Terry also tried the Best Bet Diet, but it work, including making new brain cells, new myelin,
didn’t help her improve. and neurotransmitter molecules. She created a list of
Scared stiff she would soon not be able to stand or micronutrients important to brain health and began
even sit up, Terry set about doing some intensive the search for the best food sources for those nutrients.
research into the medical literature on MS and other She then began an intensive nutrition programme
diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s where the for her brain cells. Her target was to increase the
brain cells die prematurely. She found that a common health of the mitochondria, increase the generation of
thread was failure of the mitochondria – the more myelin, and of more neurotransmitters.
powerhouse in every cell. The specific nutrients Terry considers essential to
Some articles she read talked about mitochondrial healthy brain cells include: thiamine (vitamin B1),
performance and the food supplements Creatine, Carnitine, riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacinamide (vitamin B3),
Lipoic Acid, Co-enzyme Q10 and B complex vitamins. cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), ubiquinone (coenzyme
Terry started taking these supplements and a few Q10), Lipoic acid, omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium,
weeks later her energy seemed somewhat better. organic sulfur (glutathione, N-acetyl cysteine,
Wondering whether her improvement was genuine, she methionine, and Lipoic acid), L-carnatine and amino
stopped taking them. But after three days her fatigue acids taurine and creatine. She started by taking all
was worse. So she started taking these supplements these as supplements. Later on, she added more
again, and felt better. A month later, she did this antioxidants in the form of resvesterol and milk thistle
experiment again with the same result and was and also instant greens - 1 to 4 tablespoons per day.

Terry also eat seeds (sesame, pumpkin, pine nuts)
Nutrients For Mitochondrial Performance and almonds routinely. She says: “I typically have some
• B Complex vitamins kind of meat with my meals. But with all of those
• B12 vegetables and fruit, it is probably one serving a day,
• L-Carnitine occasionally two. During the day I often drink one or
• Amino acids Creatine & Taurine two glasses of instant greens - a convenient way to
• Lipoic Acid get more organic sulfur which is found in the dark
• Co-Enzyme Q10 green leafy vegetables, and the cruciferous and onion
• Omega 3 fatty acids as fish oil families of vegetables.”
• Magnesium
• Organic Sulfur Neuromuscular Stimulation
• Antioxidants: Resvesterol, milk thistle During her research, Terry also came upon some
• Instant Greens papers about neuromuscular stimulation which was
Terry researched the food sources for these nutrients being used to build muscle mass in athletes and to
and shifted her diet to maximize its vitamin and help stroke victims recover more quickly. If it could
mineral content. The book she found the most helpful build muscle for them, why not for MS? She asked her
was The Worlds Healthiest Foods by George Mateljan. physical therapist, Dave, about it. He called it ‘neuro-
Although Terry started on supplements, she now gets stim’ and said it was not approved for MS but agreed
nearly all her nutrients from food and says: to let her have a test session.
“I attribute more rapid improvements to food as The first machine Terry used was a portable one
opposed to supplements.” called the Empi30. Dave designed a programme tailor
The most made to Terry’s needs. This involved 45 minutes of
important foods for electrical time each day to strengthen, and 15 minutes
brain cell nutrition to maintain muscles.
are green leafy After a month of neuromuscular stimulation, Terry
vegetables from kale,
cabbage, spinach etc,
organic sulfur found
in things like garlic,
onions and leeks, and
Terry Wahls’ diet includes oily fish, antioxidants found in
fruit and vegetables brightly coloured
fruits and vegetables
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such as blueberries,
strawberries, peppers,
squash.
The daily diet she
now eats includes 4
to 5 cups of kale,
collards or cabbage, 4
cloves of garlic, 3
Eat brightly coloured fruit and veg cups of intensely
like blueberries
coloured vegetable or
fruit, 3 cups of other
vegetables or fruits.
She also has
mushrooms every
other day.
She starts her
mornings with a
smoothie made of
Fish oil supplements green tea, cinnamon,
cocoa, creatine, nutritional yeast, banana and hemp
milk and eats fish or shell fish twice a week and organ
meat once a week.

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Recovery Story
saw real improvements: sitting “These days I am a changed
became less tiring and Terry could person. I talk about food,
stand in the kitchen to make supper. micronutrients, disease and health
Contracting the muscles while you all the time now. I tell everyone, my
use the machine is four times as family and my patients that the
effective as using the machine by presence or lack of micronutrients
itself, producing gains in muscle is one of the most important
mass, strength and endurance. drivers of either returning us to
To begin with, Terry used the health or driving further
Empi at home. The unit is small, progression of chronic disease.
light, portable and runs on We must give our bodies all the
rechargeable batteries. The nutrients and building blocks for our
electrodes can be applied and cells if we want to have bodies that
removed independently if hand are filled with vitality and health.”
coordination remains good. Their Terry is now planning a pilot
web site is : study of her nutritional and neuro-
www.empi.com/index.aspx muscular electrical stimulation
After six months of work with programme on MS patients, who
the Empi, Terry acquired a TDR68 will be followed for three years.
from Tone-Amatic, with eight This needs to go through various
channels. (www.tone-amatic.com). Terry wired up for a session of neurostim
university processes first and
She switched to using the TDR68 enrolment has not yet started.
for the morning workout and Fringe Medicine Or
continued with the Empi 300 PV Leading Edge Science?
throughout the day, making a total Terry Wahls M.D. says: “While
on the machines of 4 or more many would have labelled what I
hours per day. did as fringe medicine, others now
believe these interventions will
Neuromuscular Electrical
become the leading edge of science.
Stimulation (NMES) The connection of many insights
Neuromuscular electrical
from basic science had allowed me
stimulation is also known as
to leap years, possibly decades,
neuro-stim or NMES. The
ahead of what could have been
electrical stimulation placed over
discovered through clinical trials. Dr Terry Wahls’ audio book on CD ŒUp
the motor nerve induces a
My neurologist is astounded by From the Chair.
muscular contraction. Typically
how well I am doing and wants to
the patient adds a muscle
send his patients to me when the
contraction on top of the
clinical trial I am planning opens
electrical contraction. Contracting
for progressive MS.
your muscles while you use the
The last twelve months have
machine is four times as effective
been the most remarkable year of
as using the machine by itself,
my life. As a result of my intensive
producing gains in muscle mass,
nutrition and the neuro-stim
strength and endurance. Some
augmented exercise I was able to
electrical devices are marketed
achieve improved endurance and
directly to consumers, particularly
strength. First I was able to sit in a
those in the body building
standard chair more easily. After
community who want to Dr Terry Wahls’ story on audio book CD
three months I was able to walk
increase muscle mass.
short distances, then longer Info Box
CAUTION: distances. Five months after Terry’s website is www.terrywahls.com
Neuromuscular stimulation neuro-stim I quit using my She is an author of two audio books, a
machines should only be wheelchair. At seven months I rode professional speaker and will soon
my bicycle for the first time in six complete two more books about her
used with a health professional MS experiences.
as using it wrongly could years. At eleven months I rode it Also see The Ashton Embry Column on
be harmful. 18 miles up and down hills. pages 26 and 27.

Best Bet Diet
“Being a purist, I do not use any flour which
ever contained gluten. I say: ‘When in doubt,
leave it out’ and any food is ‘guilty until
proven innocent.’”
MealSafe
By Janet Orchard Janet Orchard
Janet Orchard, 57, who has Primary Progressive MS diagnosed in 1995, worked
as a human resources professional in many different countries, took early
retirement in 2002 and with her husband, Dave, came to live in Catalonia,
North Spain where she finds the climate gentler and better for MS, the culture
more vibrant, and the Mediterranean diet more in keeping with the BBD.
After a painstaking study of literally thousands of foodstuffs, Janet has come up with an
exhaustive list of more than 5000 foods which comply with the Best Bet Diet. She also warns of
over 2000 which are not allowed, or questionable.
Janet calls this list MealSafe, and it is available on a spreadsheet directly from her. (See Info
Box). It is very strict, for those who want to stick rigidly to the Best Bet Diet, and does not allow
certain things which some people eat such as gluten-free flour, oats, or tomatoes.
This article is a taster of what is in the spreadsheet, not the whole spreadsheet, which runs to
several hundred pages.
he Best Bet Diet (BBD) is
T increasingly used in helping to
manage MS. It is similar to the
Paleolithic Diet and excludes all dairy, all
modern gluten grains (wheat, barley, oats*
and rye and all products containing them),
legumes, tomatoes and refined sugar.
The disallowed grains are replaced in the
diet with rice, corn, quinoa and a range of
other gluten-free grains and flours.
The reasoning behind this can be found on
the MSRC’s website at www.msrc.co.uk under
Best Bet Diet.
What Foods Are Safe?
Starting the BBD can be daunting. What is
allowable? What is off-limits? The lesser-known
foods remain a mystery. What is a legume?
When is a bean not a bean? Surely coffee and
vanilla must be out of bounds as they are from
beans? What is lurking in E-numbers? What
dishes can safely be eaten? What is the
nightshade family? What’s included in dairy?
Is spelt bread OK?
MealSafe is a comprehensive spreadsheet
that helps the Best Bet Dieter to plan meals
safely, enabling easy searches on over 7000
foods. The spreadsheet is about the raw
ingredients that make up the meals.
A Segment of the MealSafe Spreadsheet

By and large, MealSafe Condiment (336 entries) Ceylon tea. Allowed.
concentrates on fresh, raw Includes salts, sugars, honey, syrups, Chamomile tea. Allowed.
ingredients, although there are jams, bottled sauces, vinegars, Coffee. Allowed on occasion.
several shop-bought products in seasonings, mustards, pickles. Dandelion coffee. Allowed.
the list. Examples: Mineral water. Allowed.
Foods in the spreadsheet are Balsamic vinegar, made from
diverse, ranging from the norm to wine (grape). Allowed.
what is considered exotic in the Brown sugar, made from white
West. As well as natural foods, sugar and molasses syrup. Not
ingredients (but not recipes) are listed allowed on account of the refined
for some home-made/BBD dishes. sugar.
For each food, MealSafe says
whether or not it is BBD-compliant Confectionery (85 entries) Fish (1241 entries)
and alerts possible health risks, and Sweets, chocolate Fresh- and salt-water fish, shellfish
the toxicity of certain lesser- Examples: Examples:
known plants. Chewing gum, may contain Pollock (also known as sillock,
Dairy, gluten, legumes, and MSG (possibly gluten-derived and rock salmon, coley, coalfish, saithe).
tomatoes are all shown as off- a possible health risk), aspartame Crabstick (also known as crab
limits whereas other nightshade (health risk), milk. Therefore stick, seafood stick, imitation surimi)
family foods (e.g. potatoes and questionable and a need to check ingredients - pollack, sugar, sorbitol,
aubergines) are shown to be the ingredients. wheat starch or tapioca starch, egg
allowable on occasion. Dark chocolate, bitter chocolate, white, vegetable oil or soy bean oil,
Refined Sugar, ingredients - cocoa, sugar, may soy protein, MSG (possible health
contain soy lecithin. On occasion. risk), carmine, caramel (gluten-
Saturated Fat derived) paprika (nightshade
As in any healthy diet, refined Dairy (147 entries ) family), annatto. Not allowed.
sugar and saturated fat are Milk, cheeses, creams and
discouraged. Instead, raw sugar yoghurts. Eggs also listed in this Flower (236 entries)
and leaner meats are suggested. section. Edible flowers and their leaves,
Non-refined sugar (also known ALL dairy is not allowed. includes edible thistles and weeds.
as unrefined or raw sugar) is Eggs are allowed if you do not Examples:
allowed, more than 20 examples of have an allergy to them. Carnation (also known as clove
which are to be found in MealSafe. Examples: pink, pink, clove gilliflower).
MealSafe will not eliminate the Fromage frais or fromage blanc, is Allowed.
need to check labels but it will basically cheese (milk). Not allowed. White clover (also known as
help demystify them. All those Imitation cheese contains casein white sweet clover, dutch clover –
foods you thought were safe, (dairy), vegetable oil, soy (legume). a legume. Not allowed.
perhaps aren’t. Not allowed. All legumes are plants but not
The mammoth spreadsheet for all plants are legumes! In the
Best-Bet Dieters, MealSafe should spreadsheet the Latin names for
be on your computer. Get it now! plants are given, as it is through
the classification of plants that
Allergies you can tell whether or not
90% of food allergic reactions something is a legume. For
are due to 8 common foods: example, clover, tamarind and
Milk, peanuts, soy, wheat (all not fenugreek are legumes –
allowed on the BBD), eggs, nuts, something I discovered from their
fish and shellfish. In addition, there Latin names.
is a high incidence of intolerance Drink (277 entries) Latin is the internationally used
to corn, eggs and yeast amongst Alcohol, juices, infusions, teas, language of plant classification. Like
people with MS. MealSafe warns coffee, waters. us, plants belong to families. The
where these occur where Examples: one we are concerned with here is
otherwise not obvious. Bailey’s, ingredients - whisky the fabaceae or leguminosae family,
MealSafe is organised by 17 and cream. Not allowed. which we commonly know as the
food types: Tequila, from cactus. Allowed, legume, pea or bean family. By

Best Bet Diet
researching thousands of plant to the diet only in recent times, and Extreme caution needed with
names, I discovered quite a few the chances of avoiding autoimmune wild mushrooms.
surprises - the peanut, the soy reactions is greater without them. Périgord black truffle, (also
bean, senna, cassia, clover, mimosa, Being a purist, I do not use any known as French truffle, truffle
and others given in MealSafe. Lots flour which ever contained gluten. tuber) Allowed.
of skeletons in that family closet! I say: “When in doubt, leave it out”
and any food is “guilty until Nuts And Seeds (189 entries)
Food Additives (444 entries ) proven innocent.” Nuts and seeds and their
Mainly E-numbers Examples: derivatives, peanuts.
Examples: Bran - Wheat. Not allowed. Examples:
Maltodextrin may be wheat- Buckwheat – a pseudo-cereal Brazil nut, (also known as
derived, may contain MSG not related to wheat. Allowed. brazilnut, paranut, creamnut,
(possibly gluten-derived and a butternut) Allowed.
possible health risk). Questionable. Herbs And Spices Chestnut, (also known as
E-415 (also known as xanthan (532 entries) (includes chillies) European chestnut, sweet chestnut,
gum) may be soy- or corn-derived. Examples: Spanish chestnut) Allowed.
Questionable. All herbs and most spices Coconut milk, coconut -
allowed. saturated fat. On occasion.
French Cooking Terms Liquorice or Russian liquorice.
(179 entries) A legume. Not allowed.
Oils and Fats (166 entries )
Kitchen French, includes soups Five spice powder (also known as Includes butters, nut and seed oils.
and sauces in French. Chinese five spices, five-fragrance Examples:
Examples: powder, five-spice) ingredients - Olive oil. Allowed.
A la provençale ingredients - star anise, fennel, cloves, cinnamon Peanut butter. Legume.
olive oil, tomato, garlic. Not or cassia, sichuan pepper or ginger Not allowed.
allowed for the tomato. and, or cardamom. Check may
Lyonnaise sauce ingredients -
Plant Or Vegetable
contain cassia (a legume),
white wine, onion. Allowed. Check otherwise allowed). (913 entries)
no flour or butter used. Examples:
Meat And Poultry Lentil. Legume. Not allowed.
Fruit And Their Leaves Includes beef, pork, lamb, poultry, Soy/soya. Legume. Not allowed.
Or Roots (882 entries ) game and other animals, meat Broccoli. Allowed.
Examples: products such as sausages, salamis Carrot. Allowed.
Physalis, also known as cape and pâtés.
All meat is allowed, the fattier Soups, Sauces and
gooseberry, goldenberry, inca berry,
golden husk, Peruvian cherry, meats only on occasion. Generally Miscellaneous (92 entries)
strawberry tomato, winter cherry, in the U.K., sausages, salamis and Examples:
poha, ground cherry) Closely pâtés may have a wheat filler, and Thai curry sauce - ingredients -
related to tomato. Not allowed. many contain milk products so ginger, coriander seed, caraway,
Senna pod Legume. Not ingredients must be checked. peppercorn, clove, chilli
allowed. Chicken. Allowed. Caution - (nightshade family), nutmeg,
Baked apple ingredients - apple, poultry skin contains shrimp paste, garlic, onion, lemon
unrefined sugar (see above), spice. saturated fat. grass, kaffir lime leaf, vegetable oil,
Allowed on occasion. Duck. Saturated fat. Allowed coconut milk (saturated fat), fish
on occasion. sauce, basil. On occasion.
Grain (671 entries ) Beef. Saturated fat. Allowed French dressing, ingredients -
Cereals, grasses, grains, rice, flours, on occasion olive oil, wine vinegar, salt, pepper,
pastas, breads, biscuits, cakes, pies. Pork. Saturated fat. Allowed lemon. Allowed.
Grains not allowed on the Best Bet on occasion
Diet are wheat, barley, oats and rye. Info Box
It is advised that oats are also Mushroom (199 entries)
The full spreadsheet, which runs to 495
avoided despite new research Mainly wild, includes cultivated A-4 pages, is available electronically
suggesting they contain no gluten. mushrooms and fungi. directly from Janet Orchard at
Examples: janetorchard@hotmail.com
For our purposes, they are still In return Janet asks people to consider a
regarded as a “modern” grain, added Chanterelle, girolle. Allowed. voluntary donation to MSRC.

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News & Snippets
Varicella Virus Infection Link With MS

Mexican researchers have found a link between varicella-VZV infection and those
infection with the varicella-VZV (chickenpox) virus and with secondary progressive MS
MS. The link was particularly strong among people had a threefold increase in risk
with the relapsing remitting form of MS. when compared with control patients. Overall
In a controlled study of nearly 300 people varicella- patients with a history of varicella-VZV infection had a
VZV infection was found in 42 per cent of controls threefold risk increase of having MS.
but 66 per cent of people with MS. People with Source: Science Direct 2008 Elsevier B.V. (03/11/08)
relapsing remitting MS had four times the risk of
Genetic Flaw Link To MS

A newly-discovered genetic flaw may lie behind MS gene. The gene plays a critical role in the transport of
according to Dutch researchers who carried out a signals along neurons between the brain and the
search of historical records. The suspect is a variant of spinal cord.
a gene known as KIF1B. The researchers then looked for the presence of the
The researchers, from the Erasmus Medical Centre gene in more than 2,000 people with MS from the
in Rotterdam, discovered that 26 MS patients in Netherlands, Sweden and Canada and compared their
southern Holland all had a common ancestor dating genetic make-up with controls They found there was
back to the early 18th century. They then scanned a slightly higher risk of MS when the suspect gene
each individual’s genomes to see if they shared any variant was present.
genetic irregularities and found a peak in the KIF1B Source: Physorg.com (10/11/08)
Sex Hormone to Treat MS

An American researcher is to run a two-year trial estriol to 10 non-pregnant women with MS and
examining whether the female sex hormone estriol found that the women showed an 80% decline in
has a role to play in treating MS. inflammatory lesions in their brain.
In the trial, organised by Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl of the The female sex hormone estriol has long interested
University of California Los Angeles, patients taking MS researchers as it is known that women get MS
the disease-modifying drug Copaxone (glatiramer three to four times more often than men, and that
acetate) will be compared with those taking pregnant women with MS exhibit an 80% drop in
Copaxone and the hormone estriol. their symptoms during the final three months of
Dr. Voskuhl discovered in the late 1990s that estriol pregnancy - a larger drop than the 60% reduction
could suppress MS-like symptoms in a mouse model seen with Tysabri.
of MS. In 2003, Dr Voskuhl ran a pilot study giving Source: Los Angeles Times 15/12/08
New Pill Better Than Injections

A clinical trial has shown a new pill for MS is more increased risks for heart and liver
effective than an injectable disease modifying drug. problems. While all existing multiple sclerosis drugs
The pill, called FTY720, is made by Swiss based drug carry side-effect risks, FTY720’s safety profile is likely
maker Novartis who are seeking regulatory approval to be scrutinised very closely by regulators.
from authorities in the US and Europe. Novartis is conducting two additional phase III
Trial results showed that MS patients treated with studies of FTY720 in MS patients, both comparing the
FTY720 experienced fewer relapses than patients drug to placebo after two years of treatment. Data
taking the injectable disease modifying drug Avonex. from these studies, which will be required for the
However, serious safety concerns have dogged drug’s approval, are expected to be released in 2009.
FTY720, including reports of fatal infections and Source: TheStreet.com, Inc.12/12/08

Stem Cell Myelin Repair More Complex
Than Thought
Stem cells capable of myelin repair are present in the brain and spinal cord more challenging than first
MS patients but don’t seem to repair myelin, thought, with many factors contributing to myelin and
Professor Neil Scolding of Bristol University’s Institute nervous tissue damage in MS
of Clinical Neurosciences has revealed. Although myelin-making cells do seem to stimulate
Professor Scolding was reporting on a small scale repair processes that are key to tissue regeneration in
study into the use of bone-marrow stem cells for MS, simply adding more of them to lesions my not be
treating MS in six patients which is nearing completion. enough to help in MS.
He said that MS is more complex, and tissue repair in Source: The Myelin Project 11/12/08
New MS Stem Cell Labs Open

New state-of-the-art MS stem appeal. A research programme into the use of stem
cell laboratories have opened at cell treatments for MS and other therapies is now
Frenchay Hospital in Bristol. The being fast-tracked through the new centre.
new labs are housed within the A purpose-built patient centre for people with MS
Burden Neurological Institute has also been set up.
and have been paid for thanks Source: University of Bristol 02/12/08
to a £250,000 fundraising
Boulderstone
T E C H N I Q U E
It works
www.boulderstonetechnique.co.uk
Phone: 01892 863958 (from UK) • +44 1892 863958 (international) • 08456 443626 (local rate)
Cloisters, Barden Road, Speldhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0LE, UK
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Email: jboulderstone@gmail.com

Detox
Kidney Function And MS

By Susie Cornell MBE.,DL*
he kidney’s job is to How to Improve Sluggish
T process nearly 48
gallons of blood every
day. They filter, cleanse, rid the
Kidney Function.
First, restrict protein as protein
body of toxic wastes and increases metabolic waste, which is
reabsorb nutrients and water. something the kidneys must
What they cannot use they remove from the body. A food
excrete in the 1 - 2 litres of intolerance test will help to
urine produced every day. The identify problem foods.
Chinese call the kidneys ‘ the Second, avoid chemicals and
master organ’. food additives.
The kidneys also filter and re-absorb Third, maintain calcium, iron
phosphate and calcium from foods, and magnesium levels. Magnesium
promote strong bones and help secrete Susie Cornell deficiency can have a direct effect
a hormone called erythropoietin which on kidney function because of its
levels to become disrupted. There
acts on bone marrow stem cells link to high blood pressure.
may also be things like mood
stimulating red blood cell production, It is important to eat magnesium-
swings and PMS
renin, kinins, and prostaglandins. They rich foods – and these are included
also play an important part in The Importance of the in most detoxification diets. Good
controlling blood pressure and Kidneys in sources are green vegetables, nuts,
manufacturing the active form of seeds and wholegrains. Also, chew
Detoxification. food well - this helps digestive
vitamin D – cholecalciferol (or
calcitriol) or 1,25 dihydroxy. As the kidneys work together enzymes to break food down.
with the liver it is important that Water is very important but too
Detoxification no detoxification programme is much can be harmful. Eight
Detoxification takes place in the done without first supporting the glasses of pure water a day is fine.
liver and kidneys. To help alleviate kidneys and the liver. Vegetables and fruit are high in
MS symptoms, it is vital that your When kidney and liver function water so this can count towards
body detoxifies properly. The is sluggish toxic waste cannot be the daily water intake.
problem is that inadequate fully flushed from the body so is Restrict alcohol and too much salt
drainage of toxins through the circulated around the body in the and avoid heavy meals. Also avoid
liver and kidneys can cause a build bloodstream. An overload of toxins fried foods, processed fats, caffeine,
up of toxicity which in turn can can cause irritation and the whole sugar, chocolate, dairy products and
cause extensive free-radical of the urinary tract becomes more processed carbohydrates.
damage, poorer cell function, and prone to infection. Normal kidney Finally be cautious with all types
disrupted energy production by the function may be interfered with - of drugs and chemicals, get plenty
mitochondria in the cells. resulting in water retention, kidney of sleep and avoid heavy meals.
This leads to build up of lactic acid stones and mineral deficiencies.
Symptoms of sluggish kidneys Bio Resonance Scanning
and more toxicity and you may then
start experiencing symptoms of include fatigue; a need to urinate In my clinic I use a unique
fatigue, pain, sickness, poor memory, frequently, especially at night; a programme called ‘Bio Resonance
brain fog, tingling/numbness and decrease in amount of urine or Scanning’, an energy therapy based
balance problems. hesitancy in urination; swelling of on the principle that every
Also, the brain gets damaged by the ankles, feet and legs; puffiness material structure in the universe
toxins and free radicals because around the eyes; low mood and radiates a unique energy signature
not enough oxygen can get to the mood swings; agitation; tension; or frequency. As individuals we are
brain. Hormone problems also irritability; difficulty concentrating; in fact frequency receivers,
develop due to injury caused to slow sluggish movements, restless, transducers and transmitters.
the hypothalamus. This can also heavy legs; decreased sexual The bio resonance technology is
cause temperature and hormone interest and erectile dysfunction. able to conduct a ‘conversation’
with the body through frequency

Bio resonance scanning machine scanner then took half an hour to
converse with the body. A
computer printout showed how
well the various body organs were
working. The scan found that
Annabel’s endocrine system,
kidneys, liver and lymphatics
needed rebalancing. It also
uncovered food intolerances. Carol Nunn
patterns “It was explained to me that I and lightness” within her body, and
and is able to need to make sure I am breaking afterwards said that the pain in
identify, through down my foods and that my her eyes and legs had lessened
the process of resonance, detoxification pathways are clear. My considerably. Her sleeping pattern
the body’s response. body was holding on to toxic waste has improved, walking and energy
It can seek out hidden stressors which can cause symptoms affecting levels much better than before the
or imbalances that are putting my blood sugar balance, thyroid and treatment, in fact she is now in
stress on the system. This kidney/liver strength,” says Annabel. better health than ten years ago!
programme can identify chemical A re-balancing programme was Case: Claire Conroy-Oldham,
imbalances, vitamin/mineral then drawn up by the scanner and 35, from Watford, was
imbalances, yeast, candida, mercury bio-resonance patterns were sent to diagnosed with MS in 2002.
toxicity and food imbalances. Annabel via the connection cables. Claire had bio resonance
The bio resonance programme is After the first session a tiny silver scanning in 2006. The scan revealed
then able to neutralise the rebalancing “capsule” was given to her body needed a ‘clean up’.
frequency of any toxin present. The Annabel which she was told to carry Says Claire: ‘I was advised to
programme works beyond round with her at all times in a take certain supplements, have
removing toxins; it actually “re- pocket and which allowed the re- Cranio Sacral Therapy and avoid
wires” the body by enhancing balancing to take place at a distance the foods I was intolerant to
healthy frequencies using bio- – by transmission in “remote mode”. because they were causing stress
resonance technology. Annabel thinks bio resonance on my system. These were sugar,
Psychological and emotional has really worked for her. In 2007 alcohol, bread, cakes, sweets, fruit
imbalances can interfere with the she had a relapse which affected juices and yeast foods like malt,
hormonal and endocrine system. the movement of one of her hands smoked and pickled foods. I wasn’t
This programme can identify these – an area where she had had breaking down protein, and was
interferences and send a previous MS problems. After a bio advised to take digestive enzymes.
‘balancing/treatment’ programme to resonance treatment, her hand Now, my eyes are excellent.”
the body for the body to heal itself. recovered within a day. *DL stands for Deputy Lieutenant.
Case: Annabel McVeigh, 34, Case: Carol Nunn, 61, from (Susie is a Deputy Lieutenant of Essex).
from Hertfordshire was Hertford, was diagnosed in 1996.
diagnosed with relapsing Carol first had a bio resonance
remitting MS in 2002. She had scan in 2006. The scan showed
her first of three bio resonance that her body was not getting rid
scans in 2007. of harmful toxins and that some of
At Annabel’s first bio resonance the foods she was eating i.e.
scan comfortable cable connectors proteins, were not being absorbed
or electrodes were placed on her properly and taking too many
neck and around her wrist. The supplements was slowing down Claire Conroy-Oldham
detoxification.The scan also
identified emotional imbalances. Info Box
Carol is now on a total ‘rescue’ Susie Cornell MBE, DL is a Clinical
programme. This consists of structural Ecologist and Natural Health Consultant.
Her clinic is at:
realignment, diet, supplements The Cornell Centre
(including pre-biotics and pro-biotics), at Springhealth Leisure Club,
and emotional balancing. Brian Close, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9DZ
Tell: 01245 268098
When having the bio-resonance email: info@susiecornell.com
scan Carol experienced a “draining www.susiecornell.com
Annabel McVeigh

The Ashton Embry Column
Up from the Chair -

The Terry Wahls Story
By Ashton Embry PhD
Would people with MS get increased benefits if they combined Dr Wahls’

therapy with the Best Bet Diet?
Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa and an debilitating decline, and both
Associate Professor of Medicine, devising innovative and
sent me a link to a webcast of her scientifically sound therapies
presentation on the therapeutic which substantially restored their
strategies she designed and function and overall well being.
employed to combat her slow Dr Wahls’ presentation discusses
decline and loss of function due to the interventions she has designed
SPMS. The subtitle of her and used and lays out the scientific
presentation is “Up from the Chair” data and logic for each of them.
and is very apt given that in the Her recovery is a shining example
Ashton Embry PhD nine months Dr Wahls has gone of what can be achieved through
from a wheelchair/scooter to biking solid science, innovative
A
few years ago, I wrote 25 kilometres. Her very informative applications of the science and an
a column on the three webcast can be viewed at www.int- unswerving dedication to devised
stages of MS with med.uiowa.edu/Media/Wahls10-6- therapies. Finally, her work also
secondary progressive MS (SPMS) 08/Wahls10-6-08.html and I provides some new insight into the
being the final and most strongly recommend that everyone disease processes involved in SPMS.
debilitating stage. The MS research reading this column takes 45 Dr Wahls was diagnosed with
community does not understand minutes to watch it. MS eight years ago when she was
the adverse biochemical reactions in her mid 40s and soon
which are driving SPMS. Currently, The Roger MacDougall progressed to SPMS. For four years,
neurological degeneration, Of This Generation Dr Wahls used standard drug
characterised by the death therapies but gained little relief
of nerve axons, is the most To me, her story is the Roger
MacDougall story of this from them. By 2007 she was using
common view. a scooter to get around and had
The nutritional strategies which generation. There are a number of
parallels between them with both substantial fatigue. She was slowly
are recommended by Direct-MS and steadily declining.
and the Best-Bet Diet Group were being very intelligent,
accomplished professionals, both She devised three main
designed to counter inflammation therapies to help her battle SPMS:
caused by autoimmune reactions, being diagnosed with MS in their
early 40s, both soon progressing to 1) neuromuscular electrical
the primary disease process in MS. stimulation (NEMS), 2) specialised
However, inflammation does not SPMS, both realising that they had
to do something more than follow nutritional supplements and 3)
seem to be a major part of SPMS exercise. Dr Wahls works with
and lesion activity is very low in “doctors’ orders” to stop their
brain-injured veterans and thus
this phase of MS. Thus, I would not closely associates with doctors and
expect the recommended therapists who help to rehabilitate
nutritional strategies to have a persons who have neurological
major effect on SPMS although it damage and loss of muscular
seems some with SPMS have function. She noticed that
experienced noticeable neuromuscular electrical
improvement with the strategies. stimulation helped those with
In November of last year, Dr spinal cord injuries and simply
Terry Wahls, the assistant chief of asked if such a therapy would be
staff at the Veterans Administration of value for MS.

NEMS involves the application learned from the presentation was to destroy neurons. Exercise also
of electrodes and electrical input how mitochondria in cells produce results in decreased production of
to various muscle groups over the energy and how various inflammatory proteins. Overall,
body with the goal of mitochondria nutrients help to exercise, like nutrition, provides
strengthening the muscles through ensure such a process is as efficient essential neuroprotection and
such electrical stimulation. and effective as possible. Dr Wahls’ increases the potential for myelin
experience demonstrates that repair and the development of
proper nutrition and adequate new neurological pathways.
antioxidants can potentially have a Dr Wahls provides substantial
major effect on the amount of detail of how her devised therapies
energy mitochondria derive from can and – in her case - do result in
glucose. It seems logical that the increased muscle strength,
proper functioning of the increased energy, and improved
mitochondria so as to produce neurological protection, healing and
maximum energy from glucose is a growth. All of these benefits add up
key factor in reducing or to greatly improved functioning
eliminating fatigue. and well being which are the overall
goals of any MS therapy.
4-6 Cups A Day of I cannot help but wonder if one
Dr Wahls uses the “Russian Broccoli, Cabbage, combined the therapies of Dr Wahls
Protocol” which employs a high Brussel Sprouts, with those of Direct-MS if even
dose of electricity. Notably, there is greater benefits might be realised.
pain involved in the application of Cauliflower or Kale There is some overlap between the
the electricity and this is where the Dr Wahls also eats 4-6 cups of two, especially regarding the value of
dedication to the therapy comes in. cruciferous vegetables (e.g. antioxidants. However, Dr Wahls takes
It also takes a considerable amount broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, antioxidant input to a whole new
of time to stimulate all the required cauliflower, kale) as part of an level and to me this makes sense.
muscle groups. There is no doubt overall intake of 9 cups of fruits Adequate vitamin D and omega 3 are
that such a technique can and vegetables every day. I can obvious add-ons to her therapies
strengthen muscles and is thus one only say bravo to such a high given that both have numerous
which can potentially be a great intake of fruits and vegetables positive effects on the CNS. Also the
benefit to persons with MS who which, like the supplements, have avoidance of food proteins, which can
have lost a lot of muscle strength. many positive effects on brain initiate autoimmune reactions and
A second arm of Dr Wahls’ chemistry and the proper yield protein fragments which can
overall therapy is the use of a functioning many types of cells. interfere with brain functioning,
variety of supplements and a large would fit nicely with her overall
intake of vegetables and fruit. The approach.
goal of such a nutrition-based Finally, I would note that Dr
strategy is to increase neuro- Wahls’ approach is not for sissies
protection through the increased or the weak-willed. It requires
production of neurotrophic factors incredible dedication and self-
and the decreased occurrence of discipline but the results speak for
oxidative stress through increased themselves. It would be great if
availability of anti-oxidants. Such one could simply pop a pill to
nutrition also increases energy achieve such results but I doubt
Terry Wahls MD
production by mitochondria. Her very much if that will ever happen.
supplements include B complex, As the final part of her therapy, The effects of 40 years of the MS
200 mg of Coenzyme Q 10, 1 g of Dr Wahls has a good exercise disease process are not easy to
Alpha Lipoic Acid, 600 mg of Acetyl regimen with swimming and undo and it takes the use of a
L Carnitine, 120 mg of Gingko, 2 g biking being important elements. multi-pronged approach to
of N Acetyl Cysteine, 2 g of Taurine, To support this, she discusses the achieve success. The science-based
2 g of Glutathione, 200 mg of results of various animal therapies of Dr Wahls and Direct-
Resvesterol and Lithium Orotate. experiments that show that MS are there for the trying. The
Dr Wahls succinctly discusses the exercise increases neurotrophins rest is up to you.
scientific rationale behind the use which protect neurons and Also see lead article on
of these supplements. One thing I decreases free radicals which help Dr Wahls on pp 14-17.

It Worked For Me
T-Roll
Spasms and sleepless nights are a thing of the
past since Charlie Gee discovered the T-Roll.
By Charlie Gee
s my legs have got
A worse the biggest
problem I have found is
being unable to sleep because
they spasm so violently. My legs
would cross above the knee and
it would be almost impossible
to uncross them again, making
sleeping a definite no-no!
Charlie Gee happy with his T-Roll

stop my legs from crossing but just violent spasm. I think that it is
trying to make sure that the pillow important that it is placed as far as
stayed between my knees would possible above the knee otherwise
I have tried various tablets, keep me awake. there is a possibility it will slip
potions and used any number of Then recently I paid a visit to down. It happened to me once but
things to try to remedy this Woodlands respite centre in York. my legs still felt comfortable.
situation. Baclofen was probably While there they used something They say that the simple ideas
the closest thing I had found to a called a T-Roll to help me sleep at are the best ones. And the T-Roll
remedy but that was only because night and it really worked. When I proves this is so.
everything else was so unsuccessful got home, I ordered one for myself. Postscript:
my aspirations were low. It cost more than £100 by the Just as an update: In the last
My sleeping pattern was thus: I time I got a spare cover but seeing few weeks my legs have started to
would take two baclofen about as though it was the most important retain water. I have begun to use a
half an hour before the carers thing in my life at the time I thought surgical stocking and hopefully
came to put me to bed in the it was cheap at the price. this will make them go down
belief that my legs would be better I had been using the T-Roll for again. The doctor seems pretty
when they did come. I would then about a week when I thought ‘my sure that it is no coincidence the
stay awake until about half past legs feel comfortable I am not sure retaining of water has come about
two listening to the radio. that I need to take my pills’. after starting to use the T-Roll.
By this time my legs would be I experimented and found that I I know that having it means too
feeling agitated so I would take could leave my pills all night. much to me and if it comes to it
two more. After that I would For the last week I have and I would rather put up with
attempt to get to sleep. managed to sleep in comfort for swollen legs and get a good
Sometimes I did and sometimes I the majority of the night, nights sleep.
didn’t. It depended how exhausted something I thought was just a
pipe dream a month ago. Info Box
I was!
I had tried putting a pillow How does it work? You lie in bed T-rolls and “logs” are supplied by C & S
and the carers lift the legs on either seating. All sizes.
between my knees and Prices from £64.90 to £107.80
occasionally managed to keep it side of the middle bit of the T above (excl VAT and p&p)
there all night. This managed to the knee. Your legs and are secured www.cands-seating.co.uk
against anything but the most Tel: 01424 853331

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Alternative Therapies
Reflexology
By Ian Cook
What Is Reflexology? they can treat illnesses in the body.
Reflexology is based on the It is believed that the toes
principle that parts of the body are correspond to the head and the
represented or “reflected” in the neck, with lower parts of the feet
feet. Reflexologists use their hands (moving down towards the heels)
to apply gentle pressure to specific corresponding to lower parts of
areas of the feet - what they call the body.
reflex points or “reflexes”. By Some parts of the body such as
working on these parts of the feet the lungs are mapped on both
Ian Cook arrives for his

reflexology treatment
feet while other organs – such as
the gall bladder and spleen - are
represented on one foot only.
Reflexology foot charts show in
detail where the different parts
of the body are represented on
the feet.
Reflexologists think that health
problems occur because of a
blockage of life force or ‘qi’ at
various parts of the body.
Massaging, squeezing or pushing
on parts of the feet -
corresponding to specific body
areas - helps to put right any
imbalance and restore the flow of
energy or ‘qi’ through channels or
meridians that have been blocked.
If someone has a specific
health problem they may be able
to feel this when a reflexologist
works on their feet. The texture
of the feet in these areas may
feel slightly lumpy or “grainy”
and can be painful. Colour
and temperature may be
indicators too.
As well as working on problem
areas, reflexologists are also “foot
readers” - looking for areas of the
In reflexology parts of the body are mapped on the feet feet which look or feel different.

What’s The Evidence feet which correspond with my improvement in the feet and legs, as
That It Works in MS? legs – where I have spasms, well as improvement in circulation
spasticity as well as problems and lessening of swelling.
The 2003 NICE (National walking. Later I asked her to Regarding bladder - an area
Institute for Health & Clinical concentrate on those areas of my mentioned in the Israeli research -
Excellence) published guidelines on feet which correspond with my Melody says that while none of
MS stating that that there is some bladder where I also have problems. her clients have reported specific
evidence that reflexology may be Overall the sessions have left me improvement in this area she has
helpful for people with MS in their feeling some improvement – noticed that they tend to use the
general wellbeing. particularly in my legs where toilet immediately after the
A 2003 Israeli study of 27 people walking has been easier. In my sessions – as I did. Melody has
with MS who received reflexology bladder things are also a little noticed that spasticity has become
showed there had been some better with fewer toilet trips at less of a problem for one of her
improvements in their bladder night. Interestingly, I have noticed clients, and one client has noticed
problems and in relieving spasticity that my reflexology sessions tend increased muscle strength,
and improving muscle strength. to stimulate my bladder and make meaning that she does not have to
Physiotherapists’ assessment me want to go to the loo. use her walking stick as often as
backed this up. ( Ref: Siev-Ner I, I have now had four sessions she did previously.
Reflexology treatment relieves which I think is too few to expect At present Melody treats four
symptoms of multiple sclerosis – a major improvements in my MS, chair-bound people with MS. She
randomised control study. Multiple given that I have had MS for 20 says that improvements in MS can
Sclerosis 2003; 9 (4) 356-361) years. However I am keen to be seen after a couple of months
continue going. of treatment but that it is
important to continue treatment –
A Reflexologist possibly for years.
Working With MS –
Melody Chick
Professional reflexologist Melody
Chick (her real name) has spent 22
years working in the NHS as a
healthcare assistant and now plans
to retire so she can spend more
time for working with people who
have MS.
Melody has been giving
reflexology treatments to members
of the Spelthorne (Staines and
District) branch of the MS Society.
Her sessions have proved very Sandra Jones
popular and beneficial to patients Case: Sandra Jones
Those feet were made for reflexology who report increased sensation and
“I didn’t think my legs would
My Own Experience ever work like this again.”
I was keen to try out reflexology Sandra Jones, 57, has had MS
after hearing tales about how for 38 years and has been totally
good it is for MS and after reading dependent on her wheelchair for
the NICE guidelines. So I phoned ten years. As well as having no
my local complementary health movement in her legs she can only
centre – The Well in King’s Heath, use one arm.
Birmingham - and made an In February 2007 Sandra started
appointment to see its resident reflexology sessions with Melody,
reflexologist. I paid £40 for four having a 45 minute session once
weekly one hour sessions. every two months. The first few
Initially I asked my refexologist treatments were of massage only
to concentrate on the parts of my as Sandra’s feet were rather
Reflexologist Melody Chick

Alternative Therapies
New Reflexology
Machine
A new reflexology machine -
The OTO Electro-Reflexologist - has
been launched. Based on
traditional reflexology methods it
uses low frequencies to stimulate
reflex zones, acupoints, muscles
and capillaries. This helps to
achieve relaxation, improved
circulation, and enhance the body’s
natural healing power, and can
also relieve stress, fatigue, and
aches and pains.
One person who has used the
Janet Slark, Melody Chick and Sandra Jones before a session
machine to help with MS is
swollen and stiff but Sandra says move a muscle to being able to Melanie Nolan of Swansea. She
the massage was very pleasant and move and stretch is incredible.” has been diagnosed for 20 years
enjoyable. “The colour in my feet and has difficulties with walking
improved fairly quickly – going Case: Janet Slark and balance. After using the
from a mauve to a nice pink “My feet are no longer blue!” machine Melanie says her legs feel
colour. As well as this some Janet Slark, 56, has had MS for much lighter and movement is
movement started in my toes.” 20 years. She cannot move her easier. She now uses her machine
In March 2008 Sandra was lower limbs or her right arm and three times a day.
offered extra appointments to uses a wheelchair. Her feet were
discover if more regular reflexology always badly swollen due to lack of
would benefit her. There were mobility and her right arm was
some surprising results. Sandra and always very stiff with her fingers
reflexologist Melody Chick began curled up into the palm of her
measuring foot and leg lift. hand. She also suffered a lot from
When she started, Sandra could leg spasms. Janet is also diabetic
lift her feet just 2cm. Now -at and at one point feared that she
best - she can manage 18 cm in might lose her legs.
both legs. Sandra also believes her Janet says her weekly 45 minute
thigh muscles are starting to reflexology sessions which began
respond to treatment and feels she last year have worked wonders for
has more movement - she can her particularly in relieving The OTO Electro-Reflexologist
“wriggle” in her chair. She also spasticity and improving muscle
strength in her legs. There have Info Box
feels reflexology has improved the
muscle strength of her legs. Not been other improvements too. Melody Chick’s patients pay her £10 a
“My feet are no longer blue, the session held at a local hall and the local
surprisingly she is very upbeat MS Society pay Melody £10 as well – this
about reflexology swelling has reduced by quite a lot is below the usual commercial rate.
“This has been the best year and my leg tremors are not so Generally, reflexologists charge around £30
frequent. Now my arm and fingers - £40 for an hour. Melody charges £25 for
since I have been chair bound – visiting people in their own homes.
regaining movement I thought was are very supple.
Reflexology is available at many MS
gone for ever. This has given me “Reflexology has put my mind Therapy Centres around the UK.
more independence and hope for at ease about the fear of losing my Assoociation of Reflexologists
the future which looked very bleak legs. I am very pleased with the www.aor.org.uk
and depressing with no hope of results from doing the reflexology. Federation of Holistic Therapists
improvement. I didn’t think my legs Melody has worked very long and www.fht.org.uk
would ever work like this again. hard on me for the past year. I The OTO Electro-Reflexologist costs £250
(RRP) plus VAT but if you are disabled
When people meet me these would hate to have to stop and you will be eligible for VAT exemption.
days they say to me – “you’re give it all up as I would revert to www.otobodycare.co.uk/new/
moving better. You don’t seem so the way it was before Melody UK suppliers Sasaki International
stiff.’ From lying in bed unable to started to help me.” Tel: 01908 322888.

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Life Is For Living
On dry land, MS may affect your balance and movement, but under
water you can be weightlessly graceful, as Charlotte Mitchell and
Louise Cabral have both discovered.
Scuba Diving
“I Can’t Describe How Brilliant It Felt”
By Charlotte Mitchell
Charlotte Mitchell, 55, was diagnosed with MS in 1974, aged 21. She is mar-
ried to Paul and has two grown-up children. She is Vice President of the Soil
Association and a trustee of Knockando Wool Mill and lives in Edinburgh.
hen I discovered I had MS in my final The more exercise, of what ever kind, you can do will
W year at art college I set out to be as
healthy as I could, eating healthy food,
supplementing with vitamins, and being fit.
make your life easier, maintaining fitness, decreasing
discomfort and minimising the risk of future problems
with balance, aches and pains and bad circulation.
I found that exercise is a bit like a drug, and all However, I have missed being able to go swimming
those sports I did made me feel more energetic and regularly, which was fantastic exercise for the whole
positive. Endorphins released by exercise improve your body and improved my circulation, keeping me warm
mood, and it’s certainly true that I cheer up every time for the day. I am one of those unlucky people who
I’ve been to my Pilates class. have to live with cold feet and chilblains, but by taking
One valuable thing I have learnt from doing Pilates ginkgo biloba and swimming I kept them at bay. I live
every week is that it reduces the amount of in sheepskin boots from the Celtic sheepskin Company,
neuropathic pain and discomfort I experience with MS. far cheaper than Ugg boots.
Charlotte gets a hands-on lesson in scuba diving from Leon

Holiday In Tenerife
Last March I gave my husband a well earned rest
by going on holiday to Tenerife with my friend Nikki
for a week.
We chose our hotel in the south of the island
because it had a heated pool with a special chair to
lower disabled people into the water. We had a special
taxi pick us up at the airport.
I was amazed to discover that there is no seat belt
law in Spain, and while the driver firmly connected
my wheelchair to the floor I was left at the risk of
going straight through the windscreen (leaving my
wheelchair safely strapped in) if the driver braked
suddenly. After much flapping about he located
a lap belt for me to attach to the wheelchair
and round my waist, however whenever he
went round a corner or braked I flopped
forward. I didn’t enjoy the short trip.
On our third day we were approached by
two guys Léon Oude Aarninkhof and his trainee Tony
who asked if we would be interested in a free scuba-
diving lesson in the swimming pool. They said they’d
seen my wheelchair, and Léon was trained in disabled
diving. Here was my chance to try something I had
always fancied! Charlotte underwater with Leon by her side
Down at the pool Léon gave me a lesson in how
scuba-diving works. Essentially, all he said I had to
remember was to breathe through my mouth and not
through my nose. He showed me how the oxygen
canisters worked and the signs I would make
underwater to let him know if everything was okay or
I wanted to surface.
Léon and Tony carried me into the pool. The water
was warm and suddenly I was swimming using my
arms underwater.
I can’t describe how brilliant it felt, being able to do
something I thought I would never achieve again. The
last time I had been swimming I looked like a duck, my
head going underwater and my bum sticking up -
extremely undignified.
Léon was swimming underwater at my side, and
signalled to me to check that I was okay. I put my
thumb up thinking that signalled yes and he promptly
brought to me to the surface. Wrong sign! Thumbs up
means you want to surface. The sign for okay is to
make a circle with your thumb and forefinger.
Having A Wonderful Time
We went down again and I swam in circles round
the pool, Léon telling me later that he was delighted to
see me doing it with such ease. Ordinary people scuba-
diving use their legs to swim but as mine don’t work I
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was able to use my arms to move around.

There was no balance problem, I was weightless and
swimming around easily. I wanted to laugh but that

Life Is For Living
would have to wait until I took my where you could scuba-dive but festival. She was doing a degree in
mask off. I practically had to be the easiest solution to start off nutrition at King’s College, London
prised out of the pool I was having was to try it in your local University, but was forced to take
such a wonderful time. swimming pool. a break after two successive
When I did eventually come up I We ended up spending the relapses.
told the boys they had changed evening in the bar with the boys With a background in classical
my life for ever, teaching me a drinking red wine and eating ballet and a passion for dance,
fantastic new ability, allowing me roasted cashew nuts, only to losing my balance as a result of
the pleasure of being weightless. discover too late that all the MS was a personal tragedy for me.
Now I can’t wait to be able to restaurants had closed. We were a I felt this particularly keenly
scuba dive in the sea, because I past caring; it was a fantastic end following two bad relapses last
remember when I was 20 to a brilliant day. year which at their worst left me
snorkelling in the Red Sea and barely able to see and to walk.
being amazed at the beautiful “Scuba Diving Has
colours of fish swimming so close Opened Up A Whole
to the beach that you could walk New World of
in waist deep and see rainbow
colours of marine life. Opportunity.”
We all had a drink in the bar By Louise Cabral, who went
later. Léon, from Holland, told me diving in Bermuda.
many disabled people enjoyed Louise Cabral was diagnosed
scuba-diving because they became with MS in 1998 aged 29. She has
weightless and it gave them huge been a journalist, classical ballet
freedom. He said there were many dancer and assistant director of an
resorts throughout the world international performing arts
Louise Cabral on dry land
Louise Cabral in deep water

as I made my way to the dive
platform on a rocking boat.
However, once submersed, I was
suddenly restored, transformed
and dancing once again.
My dives in Bermuda gave me
the chance to see a variety of
wrecks, including a schooner, a
steam ship and an intact ferry
boat. The ferry boat, which when
retired from service was
deliberately sunk last year,
in part for the benefit of the
dive community, was my
first experience.
Swimming behind my dive
Freedom of movement and balance in the water
instructor, Ina Kuesters, I explored
its cabins, decks and bridge. Much
A few metres with a cane and a During our four dives we explored of the signage was still in evidence,
helping hand from a supporter shipwrecks as well as vibrant, including the ship’s name and, for
were all I could manage. arrestingly beautiful reefs. me, most amusing of all, a sign
However, I have discovered that Bermuda, an isolated island north warning passengers to take care
– even with MS – you can still of the Caribbean, is surrounded by climbing the steps between decks
enjoy freedom of movement and the most northerly outcrop of and to hold onto the handrail.
balance in water. coral reef in the Atlantic, which I have trouble with steps at the
I have always had an interest in owes its proliferation to the warm best of times on dry land, let alone
scuba diving, feeling quite at home waters of the Gulf Stream. on the decks of a rolling ship and
underwater and, when on holiday, Both dive organisations gave me always need to cling on for
had pursued a couple of resort excellent support. Although dive support. Yet, here I was gliding up
courses which gave me a taster. instructors may not be that and down the steps with the
This summer I finally completed familiar with the peculiarities of graceful ease of the accompanying
an Open Water Diver course, which MS, typically they will have worked fish. It was sheer bliss.
was a dream come true. This with beginners challenged in other
achievement has given me some of ways, including paraplegics and Info Box
my cherished freedom back and blind people. P.A.D.I., the Professional Association of
has opened up a whole new world Getting used to the dive Diving Instructors, is the world’s largest
of opportunity. equipment, including the tank, diver training organisation and is
respected worldwide. PADI dive centres
This course can be completed buoyancy control device and and resorts can be found all over the
intensively over two weekends. It regulator (mouthpiece through UK and in more than 180 countries
involves some academic study and which you breath) is quite and territories.
written tests as well as practical an exercise. Louise trained with the following
dive centres:
experience. You practise first in a The Blue Water team were
Oxford Dive Centre
pool, which is where those first fantastic, seating me on the dive 302 Abingdon Rd
breaths of pressurised air are taken boat close to the platform for Oxford, OX1 4TE
beneath the surface. Then the entry to the water so that I didn’t Tel 01865 242994
same exercises are repeated in have far to go before jumping in. www.oxforddivecentre.com
open water. This is where things Blue Water Divers in Bermuda
really get exciting. Once Submerged, I Was Blue Water Divers and Watersports Ltd
P.O. Box SN 165
I completed the written tests Suddenly Transformed Southampton SN BX
Bermuda
and confined water dives through And Dancing Again! www.divebermuda.com
the Oxford Dive Centre. The open
It would not have been possible Charlotte Mitchell encourages you to
water part I saved until my holiday look at the following organisations:
without my wonderful dive
in Bermuda. www.soilassociation.org
instructors. They would hold me
Blue Water Divers in Bermuda www.whyorganic.org/
and support the tank on my back www.knockandowoolmill.org.uk
took us out to dive sites by boat.
so I didn’t have to bear its weight www.celtic-sheepskin.co.uk

Advertisement
Life Is For Living
“There really is joy in being part of the choir!”
The Sing For Joy Choir

By Debbie Ensor
Debbie Ensor was diagnosed with MS 35 years ago. She lives in north
London and teaches yoga. She was an active member of the Yoga for
Health Foundation at Ickwell Bury, helping with the MS intensive courses.
have never had a loud teacher Carol Grimes, with Dorian So Much Fun
I voice, but after so many
years with MS it is not
as loud or clear as it once was.
Ford at the piano. They really make
the Choir. Carol has been working
with Elina Tripoliti, a speech
Amazingly, soon after I joined
them I took part in the Xmas
Concert at Westminster Cathedral.
This had become a problem for therapist from the National And it was SO good to be part of
me when teaching yoga and Hospital who I and other choir this year’s Cabaret night in July,
was also difficult on the phone. members had been to see. We start with 250-300 people attending.
So how wonderful it would be if our sessions with Carol working on My friends commented on how
I could improve my voice breathing and clever warm-up happy I looked, like I was having so
through singing. exercises for our voices. much fun. Everyone who came
I first heard about the Sing for Joy The songs we sing are pretty agreed it was a lovely evening!
Choir about four years ago from a varied and open to the choir We’ve had a couple of
member of my yoga class. It had members to put forward, with workshops at the National Hospital
been started by Nina Temple after Carol`s great ideas on how we can - I went to the last one and it was
she was diagnosed with Parkinson`s get the most out of them, both well attended and fun. We want to
Disease as a way of managing the musically and therapeutically. Our get charitable status to promote
condition and many of the choir song list includes: ‘I Can See singing as part of the treatment
members are affected by Parkinson`s. Clearly Now’, ‘Dirty Old Town’ and ‘ of long term chronic conditions
But fortunately for me, it soon I Walk The Line.’ and to support the setting up of
became possible for people with We meet at a hall in north other groups. Possibly one will be
other neurological conditions to join London on Tuesday evenings at at the National.
too. There are now 24 of us in the 6pm, starting with a warm-up and These days, I also find myself
choir, two with MS, with a waiting simple songs before Dorian joins us singing at home, something I
list of people who want to join. at 7.00. We have to be out of the haven’t done since I was a teenager.
I’d seen the choir when I went hall at 8.00 – such a short time for Since joining the choir, SO many
to a couple of their annual cabaret singing! So before concerts we people have commented on the
nights in central London. After have extra time fitted in and also strength and quality of my voice
some thought, I decided to give it practise with CDs at home. when talking.
a go and joined the Sing For Joy There really is joy in being part
Choir last September, with no idea of the choir!
what to expect.
Everyone who joins says they Info Box
can’t sing. I just make very strange Sing For Joy Choir
sounds. But they say that as long as Email: singforjoychoir@aol.com
you can open your mouth, you can Look at singforjoychoir on
sing with the Sing For Joy Choir – www.myspace.com
Tel Nina on 020 7687 2685 or Monica
you won’t have to sing alone. on 020 7682 0010
We are led by jazz singer and Joy and fun with the choir

Social Networking
Finding Friends On The Net

By Ian Cook
“It’s a good way to find other people you can relate to who may have
similar issues in their lives.”
sites catering for both these anything off-topic. It’s less formal
options and some other sites that and a great place to share the
mix the two. It’s a big world out human stories behind the illness.
there in cyberspace. The MSRC site also has
chatrooms - online places where
www.msrc.co.uk you can go simply to chat to
The first site to check out is others. Information is posted live
undoubtedly the MSRC’s own and you can get into a real-time
website www.msrc.co.uk Behind conversation with others and make
the site’s excellent and frequently new friends.
updated news pages there is an Chatroom content is moderated
Aladdin’s cave of fascinating, during arranged chat sessions –
informative and anecdotal stories someone checks over the content
Ian Cook posted by people who have MS to make sure it isn’t libellous or
and who doubtless face many of insulting. John Habkirk (online
W
e all need friends. The
problem with MS is the same problems as you. name Squiffy2), who moderates
that it’s not always The MSRC site has a number of the MSRC’s website, says:
possible to get out to find new messageboards – places where “The message boards, and also
ones. As a result you can too people leave messages – which are the chat room, are much more
easily find yourself spending an definitely worth looking at. “All than just a ‘meeting place’ for
increasing amount of time about MS” covers things like the MSers. Many people who might
friendless and on your own. clinical, financial and personal have been desperate have been
But for every problem they say effects of MS. helped by a friendly, very
there is a solution. And when it “Over the Garden fence” covers supportive group of people who
comes to finding new friends the lighter side of MS allowing you frequent both message boards and
without getting tired out or having to introduce yourself, catch up with chatrooms. There is a real sense
to think about access the solution other “message boarders” and post of ‘family’.
is simple - go online.
A few years ago cyberspace
seemed a bit geeky, just a place for
spotty adolescent boys. But these
days there are thousands of people
with MS online – men and women
- chatting, advising, meeting and
dating others with MS. If you
haven’t yet been there perhaps it’s
time to take a look.
The first question to ask yourself
is whether or not you are looking
to make friends with other people
who have MS. Some MSers go
online specifically for this purpose.
Others, however, may want to
leave the world of MS behind and
meet a broader mix of people
online including those who don’t
have MS. Fortunately there are The MSRC’s (www.msrc.co.uk) home page

“Our chatrooms have become so couple of pictures and a blog however, fulfil a much needed role
popular and successful that users explaining who I am. I wrote: “Hi and Cre8buzz - like the MSRC site
are asking for additional chat there other MSers, my name’s Ian I - isn’t just a great place to make
sessions. Already there are three have probably had MS for 20 years new friends, it also has forums to
chatroom sessions a week lasting a and been diagnosed for 15. Yes, I discuss things – particularly new
couple of hours where those have had the usual symptoms but treatments for MS. You can also
online can log on and get chatting. am still standing. And I am talk about more sensitive subjects.
These are held both during the day thankful for that…” One of my Last year I posted a question on
and the evening.” pictures showed me using an all the Cre8buzz site about self
John Habkirk says chatroom –terrain buggy even though I’ve catheterisation - something I have
conversations tend to be about called myself “I’mstillstanding” – been told I should do - and more
fairly random subjects and the it was, I admit, a feeble attempt or less instantly got back a
topics depend very much on who at humour. number of helpful and
is online at the time. John has My pictures and profile actually sympathetic replies. It was really
noticed a couple of regular themes did create a bit of a buzz and the good to talk to people with MS
– people sharing information day after posting I was contacted who self catheterise and who
about coping with MS symptoms by people from all over the understood the issues I was facing.
and those newly diagnosed going English-speaking world – several
online seeking advice . Also, of whom were keen to be my www.facebook.com
random topics like what’s on TV web friends. Great as it is, Cre8buzz is a fairly
and what is in the papers are also Thanks to this site I now have small site and there are actually
much talked about four new friends – a woman called much larger and longer established
Apart from the msrc website, Wizzie, (see case below), Jac, who social networking sites which also
there are many other places in said he liked my positive outlook cater for people with MS. – in
cyberspace where people with MS on MS - and two people with the particular Facebook –
go to talk. On some of these sites webnames Antman and Nutfield. www.facebook.com
you find blogs - short for weblogs Facebook is a huge site and
– where people post personal A Virtual Relationship there is an MSRC group on the
diaries, pictures and in some cases So what have my new site with a growing membership
videos featuring themselves, their friendships given me? I suppose which now stands at nearly 200
family and pets. you could say that it’s a virtual people. You can “make friends”
relationship that I have with my with these 200 people and send
www.cre8buzz.com four new “friends” and to be them messages. There is also a
One of the newer online sites is honest MS is the only thing we discussion board where you can
Cre8buzz www.cre8buzz.com have in common. I doubt whether talk about things. When I last
where 100 people with MS from my virtual friendships will go any looked vibration therapy and
around the world have formed further - two of my new-found Sativex were up for discussion.
their own online community – a friends are in America - and even
sort of a website within a website. those who live in the UK are at
Late last year I decided to join least 100 miles away.
the “buzz”. I gave myself the name Although I may never meet my
“I’mstillstanding” and posted a Cre8buzz friends in the flesh they
have nevertheless given me
support and encouragement. I
liken them to pen-friends – it’s
friendship at a distance with few
strings attached. That’s fine as
even an enthusiastic “web-surfer”
like me has to ask themselves how
much time they actually want to
spend chatting with other people
who have MS. Most of us have
families, jobs and lives outside the
world of MS.
MS websites or mini-sites do,
The Cre8buzz website The Facebook website

Social Networking
out there - something for
everyone. Also it’s a good way to
find other people who you can
relate to, who may have similar
issues in their lives.”
Case: Charlie Gee.
Charlie Gee, 58, goes by the
name of saltpye3 on various
websites including the MSRC’s -
Saltpye was a farm where a friend
of Charlie’s lived. Charlie has found
the internet a great way to make
new friends and his profile page is
the second most visited on
Cre8buzz’s MS site. Charlie
The Secondlife website describes himself as an unreformed
www.secondlife.com hippy and likes the informality of
A site called Secondlife – the internet.
www.secondlife.com allows people Charlie is in a wheelchair and
to create imaginary identities uses voice recognition software. He
called avatars, then socialise, date says he finds the internet truly
and live out their second lives accessible and uses it for between
online. On the site there are virtual 8 and 10 hours a day, preferring to
shops, virtual homes, even a virtual go online during the day rather
nightclub called Wheelies for than watch daytime TV. He mainly
people who use wheelchairs and uses messageboards online.
want to meet others. Charlie is a big Cre8buzzer and
I am not sure I would want to also posts messages on the MSRC
spend too long in Wheelies or in messageboards, preferring these
Lizzie Gilchrist sites to places like Facebook. As
Secondlife generally but I know
there are many – particularly much from it and met so many New Pathways Cryptic Crossword
younger disabled people - who just wonderful people that I would compiler he also uses the net to
love the place. have never known any other way.” research clues to crosswords. Charlie
With an avatar you can give Lizzie spends a couple of hours says he has made loads of friends
yourself a new temporary identity online each day. - a lot of time on online and the problem he has
and at Wheelies you certainly Facebook but also on Cre8buzz encountered as a big internet user
won’t encounter any access and the MSRC messageboards. She isn’t too few friends but too many!
problems. You will doubtless meet says MSRC messageboarders are
some new people and possibly almost like a family for her -
make interesting new friends. helping her out with many little
problems over the years, MS
Case: Lizzie Gilchrist related or otherwise.
Lizzie Gilchrist, 27, or Wizzie as ”I definitely like the informality
she is known online was diagnosed and youthful nature of the net but
with MS while studying for a that’s certainly not to say it’s just
music degree at university when for the young. It really is a useful
she was aged just 18. She is keen tool for anyone of any age. There’s
to dispel the myth that you need just so much to offer.”
to be good with computers to Lizzie has used dating sites on
make a success of life online, “I the net and dated a couple of guys
have always been a technophobe she has met that way. “I haven’t
and used to avoid the internet as found love yet but would certainly
much as I could but now I can’t use this method again to try and
live without it. I have learnt so find it. There’s a huge cyberworld Charlie Gee

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New Pathways is sent all over the UK and is read by over 20,000 people affected
by MS in the UK alone.
New Pathways is sent to 24 countries around the world.
New Pathways is read by people with MS, their friends, families and carers as well
as neurologists, MS nurses, physiotherapists and many other healthcare professionals.
So if you want to reach all these people - advertise in
New Pathways - The MS magazine of choice.
Contact Tony West on

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or call 01277 655999
to discuss your
advertising needs

Short Story Writing
“My Imagination Can Take

Me Anywhere, Any Time.”
By Ian Marshall
In his writing, Ian Marshall can go back to Roman Britain or Ancient

Egypt. He describes how he got into writing and what he gets out of it.
Ian Marshall, 54, was diagnosed with MS 12 years ago although his
symptoms first began in 1990. From Chester-Le-Street in County Durham,
Ian is married to Margaret and they have a grown-up son and daughter.
He used to work as a sales executive and trainer. Ian hopes to get his
writing published.
riting has become an lighting too. So ‘Sod’s Law’
W excellent therapy for
me as I’m at home all
day and not able to cope with
dictated that when you were
cooking supper, the gas bottle ran
out. This wasn’t a problem I was
regular employment. completely aware of when I was
Writing allows my imagination young because my dad always relit
to run riot. I am able to slip away the gas lamps before you knew it.
to any place and any era. For Years later, when I was all grown
example, I can visit ancient up, I was at our caravan by myself
Northumbria and become one of a on a fishing trip. Wouldn’t you
plucky clan of freedom fighters know it? First night, the gas bottle
seeing off a renegade cohort of ran out while I was trying to make
Roman soldiers at the time of Ian Marshall a late cuppa. Without a second
Boudicca in AD60. Rowling’s fault. I was sitting thought I automatically fumbled
For another story, I find myself watching Morning TV a few years out Dad’s torch and spanner and
taking on the persona of Landon ago, stewing in my usual funk felt my way to the door.
Moonlight, aged 10, trudging (feeling unwell and sorry for In the countryside it’s no
through the parched deserts of myself) when the words ‘Harry exaggeration to say that
ancient Egypt, having escaped from Potter’ and ‘MS’ made me pay sometimes you can’t see your own
the clutches of a ravenous pack of closer attention. I caught J.K. hand in front of you! I stumbled
baboons. Landon is hot on the trail talking about her mother who off the step and into my tiny pool
of a ‘Genesis Crystal’ being misused suffered from MS, then she went of torch light, suddenly clutching
by the ‘heretic’ pharaoh Akhenaton on to talk about her book. I was the spanner like a weapon.
and is consequently tearing the surprised to hear her say that if she I had to locate the spare gas
Egyptian nation apart. I can almost could write a book, anyone could! bottle under the caravan then
taste the dry dust blown onto my She meant it. I was intrigued and fiddle with the spanner on the gas
lips by the scorched desert breeze decided to give it a go. valve. But the old threads were
Using your imagination is great, I had recently been trawling tight so I had to employ both hands
but writing is more than just through memories of my to get some purchase. Without
fantasising about distant lands. To childhood at my parents’ caravan thinking, I set the torch down in the
write about Roman Britain or ancient near Bamburgh in Northumberland grass, which doused the meagre
Egypt, I have to do a lot of historical with one specific incident always light. Abruptly, I was enveloped in
research, which is very educational. returning. I decided to write it black-darkness alerting the spiky
down and see what it looked like. hairs on the back of my neck. The
J.K. Rowling’s Fault (See extract). dry grass swished behind me and I
How did all this start for me? I Back then, caravans used Calor was sure something was creeping
would have to say it was J.K. Gas, not only for cooking but for towards me.

Like this anecdote, it’s easiest to Obviously, through researching Mental
write about something you know, characters, places, facts and dates exercise!
set in a familiar place. you learn lots of interesting stuff. Memory was a
You also get lots of help from With practice you begin to learn significant
an unexpected quarter: your the ‘art’ of writing. I’m still no casualty in my
characters duly arrive and begin to expert, but I’ve realised that MS catalogue,
tell you their stories. As my story leaving a cliff-hanger at the end of but juggling
progressed, my characters took me a chapter encourages the reader to characters and
places I never expected to go. turn the page. You find the rhythm complicated
Then another curious thing of your prose can speed up the plot lines has
begins to happen. It’s as if you are pace of your story. Alternatively, helped me enormously.
only an observer as your story you can slow things down, to be Oh! And did I mention
begins to race along, while you dramatic and thoughtful. rewarding? Imagine dropping into
end up desperately trying to write There’s another bi-product to the conversation you’ve just
it all down! writing that is not immediately written a book. How many people
Writing has taught me a lot. obvious but has helped me no end. can say that!
Extract From Ian Marshall’s Story

NIDUS – Stealing Moonlight
A Face in the Darkness rest of the family waiting in the dark of
“Flippin Eck!” quailed Lan as his world suddenly plunged the cottage, depending on him, only
into blackness. increased his anxiety.
He shook the little red torch violently, banging it against his Landon’s pressure valve suddenly blew
hand. Mercifully, it flickered back to life. Landon Moonlight and he unwisely slammed the stubborn jaws
reapplied his full attention to widening his Dad’s old against the steel body of the red gas bottle with a clank. The
adjustable spanner in the pool of light against the darkness. hard metallic note jarred his already frayed nerves and he
Unfortunately, the weak illumination also revealed peered around apologetically into the darkness.
tremulous white fingers that didn’t appear to be his. (At least, Dazzled by his tiny pool of light his eyes only picked up
they didn’t seem to be his because they weren’t doing what he random shapes in the moonlight, which made him feel he
wanted.) Doggedly, he fumbled on, trying to needed to listen intently. All he could hear, though, was the
adjust the oily worn grub screw hunched wind shushing through the long dry grass.
between the jaws of the spanner. The spanner’s jaws felt loose in his hands so Lan tried it
Spitefully, the stubby screw refused to for size again. Mercifully, he felt it slip into place round the
grant him the final millimetre he needed. wide nut so he quickly fumbled the valve free and offered
The panic rising in his throat cranked up the the tight thread up to the new bottle. His shaky fingers
pressure in his head and Lan felt he would hurried to complete the job as if they had a life of their own.
burst with frustration. In desperation he At last he could envisage his return to the sanctuary of the
attempted to rive the jaws apart with his bright kitchen, although he still found himself nervously
bare hands. glancing over his shoulder into the inky blackness. Up until
He was sure this spanner must fit the nut now Lan hadn’t been aware he had hairs on the back of his
on the gas valve – he’d seen his father use it neck. Now they were insisting something might be out
for the same job. Thoughts of Granddad and the there, waiting.
Headaches More Common in MS

People with MS are more likely to suffer from They found that the likelihood of headache was more
headaches than the general population, results of an than twofold higher in the MS patients than in the
Italian study suggest. control patients – something that could be related to
Researchers from the University of Catania screened brainstem lesions..
101 MS patients and 101 controls for headaches. Source: Cephalalgia, November 2008.

Recipe
Spinach And Orange Stuffed

Chicken Breasts Wrapped In
Parma Ham
For A Special Occasion
From Andrew and Liz Watson
Ingredients
• 6 large skinless chicken breasts, butterflied
(sliced lengthways along one edge, opened out
and pounded with mallet to 1/4 inch thickness).
• 1/2 cup ground almonds
• 1/4 cup chopped pistachio or cashew nuts
• 10 oz/300g spinach, wilted for a min in some
boiling water then drained
• 11 oz/330g can mandarin orange segments, in
juice not syrup, drained, reserve liquid
• 1 med onion, chopped or 1/2 330g can “Easy Onions” drained
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic or 1 heaped tsp “Easy Garlic”
• 2 tsps dried sage or 2 TBsp fresh chopped sage
• 1 Kallo Organic Chicken or Vegetable stock cube
• 250ml boiling water
• 12 slices of Parma ham, trimmed to remove visable fat
• 1tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
Tarragon Orange Sauce:
• 2/3 c. orange juice
• 2/3 c. reserved mandarin orange liquid
• 1 tbsp. cornstarch, rice flour or BBD flour of choice
• 2 tsp. fresh tarragon, chopped
• 1/4 tsp. salt
Method
• If using, saute onions lightly in olive oil for 3 mins or until opaque but not browned. Then add, again if using,
chopped garlic and continue to saute for a further minute. Alternatively, combine 1/2 can “Easy Onions”,
drained, with 1 heaped tsp “Easy Garlic”.
• Dissolve stock cube in boiling water. Combine nuts, wilted spinach, mandarin orange segments and sage, with
onion and garlic. Mix well and add just enough stock to form a moist ball.
• Place 1/3 to 1/2 cup stuffing mix in middle of chicken breast. Bring ends of breasts over stuffing, fold in sides
and secure with toothpicks if required.
• Wrap 2 slices of parma ham around each stuffed breast and then wrap the whole breast in a parcel of baking
parchment paper.
• Place chicken breasts parcels on flat baking tray and cook for around 20mins at 200degC.
• Open parcels carefully and pierce to ensure breast is fork tender and juices run clear. Cut in half, at angle, and
serve along with roasted potatoes and festive veg. Garnish with additional tarragon, if desired.
• In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, mandarin orange liquid, cornstarch or flour, tarragon and salt.
Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Cook 3 to 5 minutes until sauce is thickened, stirring constantly.
Serve in separate gravy boat or jug.

News & Snippets
Research Into Vaccine For Coeliac Disease

Progress is being made in the development of a Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Australia has identified
possible vaccine against coeliac disease, an auto- the toxic elements of gluten creating the potential for a
immune condition which is triggered by eating vaccine therapy to suppress or prevent gluten toxicity.
gluten, a type of protein found in wheat, rye and The research indicates that there are only a few
barley. At the moment, the only treatment is life-long dominant peptides in the gluten protein that trigger
adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. the autoimmune response in people with coeliac
Research by Dr Bob Anderson from the disease which makes the creation of a vaccine easier.
Autoimmunity and Transplantation Division of The Source: Coeliac Disease Society
Pill For MS Being Trialled

Richmond Pharmacology is trialling a disease To date, Richmond Pharmacology have selected 33
modifying drug that you can swallow rather than volunteers and say the response has been very
inject. This new medicine is called CDP323. positive. They are keen to fill the last few limited
The trial requires patients to attend for day visits places.
and also to spend time – less than a week - as an in To take part you need to be aged 18 – 65,
patient at hospitals in Tooting and Croydon. Those diagnosed with MS with at least 1 relapse in the past
selected to take part receive £2,000 as well as further 24 months, able to walk about 20 metres without
access to the drug once the trial has ended. resting but using assistance (sticks, crutches, braces) if
In the trial, blood samples are taken from patients necessary, not currently taking beta-interferons or
to understand better how the body handles CDP323 similar and registered with a GP, who will be informed
and to see which doses are best tolerated. The trial of your participation.
aims to find information about what is the right dose www.trials4patients.co.uk
to give to MS patients. Call free on 0800 085 6464
The CDP323 trial is entering into its fourth month.
Ban On LDN Imports But Patients Not Affected

The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products can be supplied in liquid or capsule form and sent
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has imposed a sudden direct to the patient. Each three-month private
ban on the import of LDN from any source outside prescription costs £15.00 plus the cost of the product:
the UK.
Capsules: £25 - £30
Their reasoning is that although US compounding
Liquid: £15 - £17
pharmacies are regulated by the FDA, they are not
Vials: - £30
inspected by them. This means that the capsules they
make are not suitable for export to the UK as they The LDN Research Trust is using this as an
breach the UK’s minimum drug standards. opportunity to try and convince GPs to prescribe LDN
Although this ban has caused concern among those on the NHS.
who take LDN for their MS, patients taking LDN are Dickson’s Chemist,
not affected as alternative supplies are being found 35 Mitchell Arcade,
from within the UK. Glasgow G73 2LS
Until now, most of the LDN came from Irmat Tel 0141 613 1238
Pharmacy in New York, USA. Medical Adviser to the
LDN Research Trust Dr Bob Lawrence says he is “very LDN Research Trust,
saddened” by no longer being able to trade with them PO Box 1083,
as he was “very happy with the service they provided.” Buxton, Norwich, NR10 5WY
However, Glasgow pharmacy Dicksons Chemist is Email: contact@ldnresearchtrust.org
now able to obtain LDN from UK manufacturers. This Web Site: www.ldnresearchtrust.org

News & Snippets
Tysabri...
Tysabri Useful In Childhood MS parliamentary answer it was revealed that between
100 and 300 people were getting Tysabri in March
A German study has found that Tysabri is a
this year, out of a possible 2,000 who could benefit
promising second-line treatment for MS in children.
from it. It is believed that some delays may be due to
The Tysabri treatment, carried out at the Centre for
the need to give the drug as an hour-long intravenous
MS in Childhood and Adolescents in Göttingen, went
infusion, which means there must be a suitable
on for between 15 months and two years, during
place available.
which time no relapses occurred in three young
Source: guardian.co.uk 16/12/08
patients, who had failed to respond to other disease
modifying drugs. All three said there had been Tysabri – New Death Reported.
significant improvement in their quality of life.
An American MS patient who developed a severe
Follow-up MRI scans showed no new lesions.
brain infection after taking Tysabri has died. The
Source: Arch Neurol.
patient received 14 Tysabri infusions before being
2008;65(12):1655-1658. (09/12/08)
diagnosed with the brain illness progressive multifocal
Tysabri Take-Up leukoencephalopathy or PML. The new death is the
first among four cases of the brain illness reported
Very Low since the drug was re-introduced in the U.S. in 2006.
Only around one in 10 MS PML is included in Tysabri’s prescribing information as
patients eligible for Tysabri is a possible side effect in 1 of every 1,000 patients
receiving the drug, according to taking the drug.
government statistics. In a Source: Bloomberg.com 19/12/08
Advertisment

Cryptic Crossword Answers
I
1
S B
2
W
3 4 5
L R
6
Across cont.
22. Girl a swimming contest. (4) girl = GAL + A
7 8
P L A UD I T B A L 9
ON E Y
10
L B G H T 11
T P 23. Eases cap broadcast painting. (8) ANAGRAM
B E S T OW A M E R I CAN 24. The Spanish not odd football team. (6)
12
G I I I R 13
O P Spanish for the =EL + EVEN
L A S T GA R Y BO NN E R 25. A motorcycle race finishes and is present. (7)
L L B E R
14 15 16
A + TT + ENDS = ELEVEN
WE L L T RODD E N
M
17
E A G F
18
26. Baits opposing batsmen and they help to get
19 20 21 22
T A T E VOS I AN GA L A through the snow! (7) Sledging is the term used

23
G A T N E 24
H E for baiting opposing batsmen to make them
S E A SCA P E E L E V E N lose concentration.
N T R D D A C
25
A T T E ND S S L E
26
DGE S Down
A R S E S S 1. Against the law in Scotland although
st (ill egal) itarian. (7)
Across 5. Many an atom gets medicated liquid. (6) LOT + ION
7. Expression of praise for dual pit organisation? (7)
15. Sort deal out for something worn by dancers. (8)
ANAGRAM
ANAGRAM
8. On your own in the outskirts of Botany Bay,
17. Mother man a colour. (7) MA + GENT + A
it's nonsense! (6) on your own= ALONE inside
18. Run away over churches and charges
BY = BALONEY
exorbitantly. (7) FLEE +CES
10. Give an honour to in the (best ow) ner tradition. (6)
20. Holidays are set about this time. (6) ANAGRAM
11. Rain came about for somebody on the other side
21. Want the French to get the point. (6)
of the pond. (8) ANAGRAM
LDN Petition
Readers are urged to take the time to sign the petition for LDN to be found at
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/LowDNaltrexone/
Possible Vaccine Against MS

German researchers have successfully prevented MS teaches the immune system not to treat the
mice from developing a medical condition similar to body’s own nerve cells as a foreign body.
MS, thanks to a new vaccine. The researchers now want to study whether the
Researchers at the Heidelberg University Hospital vaccine is also effective for treating already-existing
and the German Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg multiple sclerosis. They will use animal experiments to
have vaccinated mice with their own specially treated study whether the vaccine has not only a preventive
immune cells and prevented them from developing but a therapeutic effect as well.
encephalitis, a condition similar to MS in humans. Source: University Hospital Heidelberg 02/12/08
The Heidelberg team says that the vaccine against
New Treatment For Secondary Progressive MS

An American biotechnology company has ATX-MS-1467 consists of substances derived from
announced promising results of a new treatment for myelin basic protein. Clinical trials started in 2006 and
secondary progressive MS. initial results indicate that the drug is safe and there is
The company called Apitope International recently said to be some promising early evidence that the
announced results of the initial clinical trial of ATX- new treatment is effective.
MS-1467, which has the potential to redirect the Source: Pharmalive. Canon Communications
immune system and minimise the damage to the Pharmaceutical Media Group 24/12/08
nervous system in MS.

Rights & Benefits
Getting A Community
Care Assessment
By Emma Rowe, the MSRC’s Welfare Rights Adviser
f you have a disability mean you would do them.
I such as MS which
affects daily living you
are entitled by law under the
Is your present housing suitable
for you? Could it be made better if
you had special equipment or
Community Care Act 1990 to adaptations? Do you qualify for
have a formal assessment of accessible social housing? How
your care needs. Your local safe are you? Or are you in any
authority’s social services way at risk?
department has a legal duty to
do this, so don’t feel guilty Eligibility Criteria
asking for one. They should also Once your local authority has
give an assessment to any carer collected all the data on your
who looks after you. “presenting needs”, they then will
The aim of an assessment is to look at which of these meet the
find out what needs you have in “eligibility criteria”. These vary from
order to live independently in your Emma Rowe council to council, but they all
own home. Each local authority at least mental list under each of have to follow guidance and work
has its own procedure for these categories. The idea behind within the four main criteria:
assessments. They may have a Community Care is to devise ways critical, substantial, moderate, and
leaflet explaining this. to enable you to live as low – representing how serious a
Depending on the extent of independently as possible; it’s risk it would be to a person’s
your needs and the criteria used by about supporting your needs. independence if problems and
your local authority, you may be The first thing is to look at what issues are not addressed.
entitled to individually tailored help you need in your home to live
care services. These range from safely and independently. Do you
domestic help to personal care (e.g. need help with domestic things
help with washing and dressing). like changing the bed linen or
You may also get aids and preparing a meal? Do you need
adaptations to make your home help getting washed, dressed and
more suitable, and assistance with going to the toilet?
transport. Your social situation is also
looked at. Do you go out? Do you
What Are Your Needs? see friends? Do friends and family
An assessment must consider all come to you? Or are you getting
of the following needs: increasingly isolated? Critical: When
• Personal An assessment also looks at • Life is threatened and/or
• Social things like hobbies, education and • Significant health problems have
• Health cultural needs. Do you want to go developed or will develop and/or
• Accommodation to college or adult education • There is, or will be, little or no
• Finance classes? What do you want to do choice and control over vital
• Leisure in your free time? Do you want to aspects of the immediate
• Transport, mobility and access do sport, go to a club, go to the environment and/or
• Psychological pub, watch television, do cookery, • There is, or will be, an inability to
• Emotional pottery, painting etc? carry out vital personal care or
• Cultural These are an idea of the kind of domestic routines and/or
Before an assessment it’s a good things you may wish to do if • Vital involvement or work or
idea for you to make a written or having someone help you would education cannot or will not be

sustained and/or roles and responsibilities cannot you to receive Direct Payments for
• Vital family and other social roles or will not be undertaken you to purchase your own services
and responsibilities cannot or will with the people of your choice.
not be undertaken. Low: When Ideally, you should get an
• There is, or will be, an inability to assessment within one month of
Substantial: When carry out one or two personal asking for it, and get the services
• There is, or will be, only partial care or domestic routines; and/or you need one month after the
choice and control over the • Involvement in one or two assessment has been done. In
immediate environment; and/or aspects of work, education or reality, it can take longer than this.
• Abuse or neglect has occurred or learning cannot or will not be But of course we do not live in
will occur; and/or sustained; and/or an ideal world and you would be
• There is, or will be, an inability to • One or two social support very lucky to live in a council area
carry out the majority of personal systems and relationships cannot which gave you all the services to
care or domestic routines; and/or or will not be sustained; and/or meet all your needs.
• Involvement in many aspects of • One or two family and other Some local authorities now only
work, education or learning social roles and responsibilities offer services to people in the
cannot or will not be sustained; cannot or will not be undertaken. critical category. If you are told
and/or you do not meet the eligibility
• The majority of family and other Care Plan criteria, you could seek advice on
social roles and responsibilities Social Services will then draw up what to do next from the msrc, an
cannot or will not be undertaken. a Care Plan – ideally working with Independent Living Centre, or
you - agreeing services to be Citizens Advice Bureau.
Moderate: When provided to meet the assessed In the next issue, Emma will look
• There is, or will be, an inability to needs. Note that even unmet at Charging and Paying for Care.
carry out several personal care or needs should still be assessed and If you have a problem with
domestic routines; and/or included in your Care Plan as these rights and benefits you would like
• Involvement in several aspects of needs still need to be met, either Emma to help tackle, please write
work, education or learning by other agencies or maybe to her at:
cannot or will not be sustained; through the voluntary sector. Emma Rowe,
and/or Once your Care Plan is in place, Rights & Welfare Adviser,
• Several social support systems Social Services either provide or MSRC, 7 Peartree Business Centre,
and relationships cannot or will arrange for these specified services Peartree Road, Stanway,
not be sustained; and/or to be delivered. Or, with your Colchester, Essex CO3 5JN
• Several family and other social agreement, they can arrange for
Assisted Suicide Will Not Be Outlawed

Families of people who wish to go abroad to commit suicide because of severe illness will not be prosecuted if
they assist them, says the UK’s chief prosecutor Keir Starmer QC. He did not think the law needed to be
changed or clarified and was workable as it stood.
Daily Mail, Jan 10, 2009
Vitamin D Can Help Eliminate Mercury

An American study shows that Vitamin D helps remove mercury safely from your body by radically increasing
the amount of intracellular glutathione. Vitamin D can inhibit the synthesis of nitric oxide synthase and increase
glutathione levels, suggesting a role in brain detoxification. Source: Mercola website
Carers Hit Hard By Economic Crisis

New research carried out by Carers UK has unveiled extreme hardship among the nation’s carers as living costs
rise and the economic crisis affects ever more families. Nine in ten say their financial position is worse than it
was this time last year. Source: Carers UK

MSRC
MSRC Patron Alastair Hignell

Wins A BBC Sports Personality
Of The Year Award
Alastair Hignell was awarded the Helen Rollason award, which recognises
outstanding achievement in the face of adversity. He recently gave up his
job as a BBC Radio 5 Live rugby commentator, used to play rugby for
Bristol and England and also played cricket for Gloucestershire.
kay, the carpet was close family were there and also to front of 10,000 people in the
O purple, not red. But the
paparazzi were jostling
each other behind the crash
avoid a repeat of the embarrassing
scenes a few years previously when
disabled athlete Tanni Grey-
Arena and goodness knows how
many millions watching their
televisions at home. And then I
barriers, flashbulbs were Thompson had won an award but would have to make a speech.
popping and the autograph nobody had checked that she could My mouth went dry, my limbs
hunters were out in force. My get her wheelchair on to the stage. started trembling and I could feel the
new and alarmingly expensive I was determined to walk up to blood pumping round my body. The
suit felt fabulous, Jeannie receive my award, but not if the sensations wouldn't go away as we
looked a million dollars and our distance was too far or the steps went to change in our hotel. I could
sons, Adam and Dan, had too steep. To that end, I visited the barely trust myself to speak to friends,
scrubbed up well. Arena in the afternoon to find out I couldn't rely on my bladder to cope
And then the buggy wouldn’t start. how close I could get to my seat with more than a sip of water and I
As the superstars of the sporting before leaving my buggy behind, struggled even more than usual to do
world sashayed past us into and to reassure myself that when up my shirt buttons.
Liverpool's Echo Arena, we assembled the moment came I would be able And then the buggy wouldn't
and reassembled, twiddled and to get onto the stage. start, and it was actually a blessing in
fiddled, kicked and cursed, but we still And that's when I nearly turned disguise. With something else to
couldn't get it to go. tail and fled. For the first time I occupy my mind, I could put my fear
It was the only thing that didn't fully realised that I would have to of fouling-up into some sort of
work on a quite spectacular get up and cover 20 or so yards in perspective. The greeting from friends
evening. The searchlights played on shiny shoes and with nothing but and legends from the world of rugby
a massive auditorium packed with a stick to prevent me stumbling in who had made all sorts of sacrifices
10,000 people, the cyclists from just to offer me moral support in
Great Britain's stunningly Liverpool, the inspiration of the
successful Olympic team Olympians and Paralympians in the
freewheeled down an alarming show's early moments, and Jeannie's
slope, the trumpets blared, the gentle reassurance did the rest.
drums rolled, the film packages
were sensational and anybody who I Walked The Walk and
was anybody in the world of sport Talked The Talk
was there. The BBC’s Director of I managed the walk and I
Sport suggested I might like to managed the talk. In the twenty
attend. seconds allocated, I was able, I
Neither the BBC nor my wife hope, to pay tribute to all the right
Jeannie could keep the fact that I people and to stress how fortunate
was to receive the Helen Rollason I consider myself to be.
award a secret. They wanted to And I was able to get back to my
make sure that my friends and Alastair with sons Dan(left) and Adam
at the Echo Arena seat without dropping the trophy.

Competition
WIN A MEND YOUR HEALTH VIBRATION TRAINER

worth £299 plus £39.50 shipping
Here’s your chance to win a vibration trainer from Mend Your Health Ltd which will
help you tone your muscles and increase your strength and fitness.
To enter, all you have to do is answer this question:
How many speeds does the Mend Your Health vibration trainer have?
Please send your answer on a postcard, with your name, address, telephone number
and email address to:
Mend Your Health Vibration Trainer Competition,
New Pathways, MSRC, 7 Peartree Business Centre,
Peartree Road, Stanway, Colchester, CO3 0JN
The closing date is March 27, 2009
Christmas Draw Winners

Thank you to everyone who entered our Christmas Draw. Your generosity has been
wonderful and resulted in this year’s draw being our most succesful yet!
1st prize: £1,000 Mrs M Tyers Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
2nd prize £500 Mrs G M Oliver Ashford, Kent
3rd prize £200 Mrs E Willett Bolton, Lancashire
4th Prize £100 Miss F Coia Carluke, Lanarkshire
5th Prize £50 Dr J A Mitchell Yeovil, Somerset

Classified Advertising
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and/or email - judith@judithlake.com.
Bags for folding and rigid wheelchairs
Call Mayday Products on

01491 680103
E-mail: Mayday.products@virgin.net
or visit www.maydayproducts.com

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‘Viva 2’ Designed specifically for MS and CP patients and
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The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre’s Bi-monthly magazine

Contents January/February - Issue 53

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 3

Dear New Pathways Readers

4 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

Parasite May Hold Clues For MS Treatment

Chlamydia Pneumoniae - A Possible Cause

Stem Cells May Not Heal Demyelinated

6 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

Britain In Top 25% For Treatment of MS But Lags

Vaccine Hope in Virus Link to MS

Sativex Not Linked With Mental Problems

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 7

Personal Rehab Helpful For MS

Half of MS Patients Don’t Respond to Beta

Monosodium Glutamate and Aspartame

8 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

New Pathways tries to reflect

10 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 11

Money Saving Tips

12 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

You’ll need issue 52 of New Pathways

By Cryptic Charlie Gee

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 13

Thanks to Brain Nutrients and Neuro-Muscular

E MS who has got better instead of worse.

14 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 15

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 17

18 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 19

20 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

Varicella Virus Infection Link With MS

Genetic Flaw Link To MS

Sex Hormone to Treat MS

New Pill Better Than Injections

22 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

New MS Stem Cell Labs Open

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 23

Kidney Function And MS

24 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 25

Up from the Chair -

Would people with MS get increased benefits if they combined Dr Wahls’

26 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 27

Charlie Gee happy with his T-Roll

28 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

Ian Cook arrives for his

30 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 31

32 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

Charlotte gets a hands-on lesson in scuba diving from Leon

34 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

was able to use my arms to move around.

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 35

Louise Cabral on dry land

Louise Cabral in deep water

36 New Pathways Issue 53 January/February 09

FREEPHONE: 0800 7830518 MSRC: 01206 505444 www.msrc.co.uk 37

“There really is joy in being part of the choir!”