MS is not a death sentence, but its complications can contribute to a person's death.
Here Gavin Giovannoni, aka Prof G reflects on losing an MS patient who was in his 50's.
And a nudge:
'My patient dying from end-stage MS is a reminder to me to remind you to think about your end-of-life.'

Grim...
A new MS Society UK study shows more than 150,000 ppl in the UK have MS - up nearly 13% from 2019.
Of that: 7/10 are women
Yet the UK currently ranks 44/45 European nations for the number of neurologists for each person with a neurological condition (2019 study).

First MS symptoms
Chatting with an MS friend. Diagnosed at 21. Told me she thought her first MS symptoms were nothing but a really bad hangover that went on & on.
Me: blamed tingles/foot drag on pinched nerve.
What did u think was causing ur first MS symptoms - before u knew?

Children with MS...
The largest global study of its kind found children with MS have better outcomes if treated early & with the same high-efficacy therapies as adults.
The study: The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health
thelancet.com/journals/lanch…

Woman who claimed to be crippled by MS caught doing 5k runs.
Annette Bond has been jailed for 2 yrs & has to repay nearly £70,000 in benefits she received over 10 years.
Makes me angry as so many deserving ppl with MS have difficulty getting help...
mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/m…

Do u think having MS has altered ur taste?
Preliminary results from Prof Gavin Giovannoni, aka Prof G survey suggest a sizeable bunch do.
Pls complete: buff.ly/3WQc0rM to help him get a better idea.

Melinda French Gates is leaving Gates Foundation to direct her own philanthropic work - of US$12.5 billion - and will focus on women’s rights & gender equality.
Giving to women & girls’ organizations represents just 1.8% of charitable giving in the U.S.
edition.cnn.com/2024/05/13/inv…

Shocked/not shocked....
Nearly half of people with MS applying for disability benefits in England & Wales are being rejected, the The Guardian finds.
“The Pip assessment has been failing people for over a decade,” said Charlotte Gill, at MS Society UK.
theguardian.com/society/articl…

Could not resist posting this...
Here is Dr Gabriel Pardo's oldest MS patient Dr. Gabriel Pardo She is 96. That's right.
Any MS health care professionals know of anyone older?

Eeeek
You'd think after 15 yrs of MS, I'd be un-fazed about my lesion-load.
But this jumped out on my latest MRI report.
'NUMBER OF T2 LESIONS - about 20.'
Thought it was 12.
To be honest I tend to skim my reports, not read thoroughly. Only look for new lesions.
What do u do?

Preventive Neurology Centre for Preventive Neurology symposium...
I know some of you wanted a summary of the centre's launch in March. Here it is: covers early detection, early interventions, inequities & what's next.
Thx to Dr Alison Thomson Dr Alison Thomson for organising a fantastic day

A fantastic piece by Nara Michaelson Dr. Nara Michaelson MD, MS on similiarities treating women with newly-diagnosed MS & women victims of domestic violence.
'For both types of women, the sense of entrapment is palpable—trapped within their own bodies or trapped within toxic relationships.'

Lovely NPR interview with five-time Emmy award winning composer 'House of Cards' Jeff Beal who's had MS for 17 yrs.
'Learning about music’s impact on neuroplasticity gave me the impetus I needed to spend more time at the piano.'
npr.org/2024/05/04/124…

Why do friends drift away in hard times?
A brilliant, poignant TEDxKingston talk by Mark Webb about his MS/disability but also much more about kindness.
'We're human. We love hugs. Please invite us for a coffeee... Talk to us.'
34,000+ views & climbing.
youtube.com/watch?v=ZjoSwa…

More than 130,000 in the UK have MS...
But more than a 1/3 have avoided seeking medical help due to embarrassment.
Piece on Sky News featuring Big Brother Star Kerry Riches and Dr Sarah Rawlings - MS Society UK head of research,
news.sky.com/video/people-l…

Think this is worth repeating...
Almost 50% of people with MS are now more than 50 yrs old (including me!).

Exposure to high efficacy DMT’s can increase the risk of an abnormal cervical screening test >4 times in women with #MS , study in Neurology Journal.
Regular cervical cancer screening & HPV vaccination = best defense. ⁦
Thx Francesca Bridge & AnnekeVdWalt
Study: neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WN…

Medical gaslighting...
So pleased to see the MS Society UK posting this & thx Prof G for bringing awareness to it.
Gavin Giovannoni, aka Prof G

Took a walk in nature with my walking stick to de-stress. #Migraines / #IBS / #MS pain = HELP! But 2 girls glared at me & my cane & giggled a lot. I usually use this as a teachable moment about MS, empathy, & equality but I felt too sad. I hope their parents will. #MultipleSclerosis