Part VIII

Quick update here on my approach for the next month. I have met again with my nutritionist after my last blood tests (basic fatigue tests as I mentioned). In reviewing everything I am going to be taking the following in the amounts appropriate for my age and body weight. I am going on a heavy dose of D for a month and then will be backing off. My levels are VERY low. My hope is to follow the swank diet, exercise, meditate and add these supplements. After my MRI in four months I will reevaluate everything with my doctors.

Hoping to see some help with my fatigue battles. I am real tired of be tired.

I have include a generic breakdown of what each is and the basic intent.

Bio-D Mulsion Forte
Supplies vitamin D3 in an emulsified form to aid in uptake and assimilation, especially important for those with malabsorption issues.
Inadequate levels of vitamin D are common. While the importance of vitamin D for musculoskeletal health is well documented, its importance in numerous other aspects of health are now recognized. They include (but are not limited to) cardiovascular health and immune function.

Bioctasol Forte
Intended to increase energy. Nutritional support for oxygen utilization by muscle and nerve tissue. Supplies octacosanol (from rice) with antioxidant enzymes SOD and catalase.

Nuclezyme-Forte
Supplemental source of RNA and DNA with synergistic vitamins and mineral components.

Optimal EFAs
To replace Evening Primrose and Eskimo oils. Supplies a unique blend of the highest quality fish, flaxseed and borage oils, providing a balanced blend of omega-3, 6, and 9 essential fatty acids in optimal ratios.

My B-Tabs
This uniquely formulated combination of vitamins supports many metabolic functions including energy production, enzyme synthesis, and antioxidant activity. Research shows that Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP)is a precursor or building block for ATP. AMP is converted to ATP by the enzyme ATPase. AMP is fundamental in phosphorylation reaction and constitutes a vital metabolic link in energy, transfer mechanism, muscular contractions, enzyme reactions, carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Adenosine is a naturally occurring cellular metabolite. It is one of the four purine nucleotides responsible for protein synthesis. Also shown to help in areas such as obesity, chronic fatigue syndrome, immune system, nervous system, fatigue, stress, sleep patterns, herpes simplex, shingles, epstein barr virus, multiple sclerosis, pain, bursitis, tendinitis, tenosynovitis, chronic thrombophlebitis, varicose vein complications.

L-Carnitine HCI
Supplemental source of L-Carnitine, an amino acid like compound. L-Carnitine plays a critical role in fat metabolism and energy production, and therefore supports healthy heart function. L-Carnitine is derived from meat sources in the diet, and is therefore often found lacking in those on vegetarian type diets.

Phosphatidylserine
Supplemental source of this important phospholipid which is a structural part of biologic membranes. Phosphatidylserine is involved in signal transduction activity, and may positively impact cognition.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Found throughout the central nervous system (CNS), Acetyl-L-Carnitine plays a key role in CNS metabolism, offering a source of acetyl groups for the synthesis of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter, and thereby supporting healthy brain function.

Padma 28
Comes from a traditional Tibetian herbal formula that has been used for centuries to support lifelong health. This natural formula is based on the Tibetan doctrine of maintaining a healthy equilibrium in your body. Padma was formulated to gently restore a healthy balance to revitalize your body.

Use of vitamin D in clinical practice

In those with serious illnesses associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, autism, and a host of other illnesses, doses should be sufficient to maintain year-round 25(OH)D levels between 55-70 ng/ mL. Vitamin D-deficient patients with serious illness should not only be supplemented more aggressively than the well, they should have more frequent monitoring of serum 25(OH) D and serum calcium.

Claims that vitamin D may help prevent such a wide variety of diseases seem incredible until one realizes vitamin D is not a vitamin; rather, it is the only known substrate for a potent, pleiotropic, repair and maintenance, seco-steroid hormone with a single endocrine function, but multiple autocrine functions.

Full article:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDN/is_1_13/ai_n25332537/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1

Mayo Clinic December Updates

Treatments and drugs
There is no cure for multiple sclerosis. Treatment typically focuses on combating the autoimmune response and managing the symptoms. Some people have such mild symptoms that no treatment is necessary.

Medications
Drugs that are commonly used for multiple sclerosis include:

Corticosteroids. The most common treatment for multiple sclerosis.
Interferons. These types of drugs — such as Betaseron, Avonex and Rebif — appear to slow the rate at which multiple sclerosis symptoms. But interferons can cause serious liver damage.
Glatiramer (Copaxone). Doctors believe that glatiramer works by blocking your immune system's attack on myelin. This drug can cause serious side effects, so it's typically reserved for people who see no results from other types of treatments.
Therapies
A physical or occupational therapist can teach you stretching and strengthening exercises, and show you how to use devices that can make it easier to perform daily tasks.

Procedures
Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) looks a little like dialysis as it mechanically separates your blood cells from your plasma, the liquid part of your blood. Plasma exchange is sometimes used to help combat severe symptoms of multiple sclerosis relapses, especially in people who are not responding to intravenous steroids.

Lifestyle and home remedies
These steps may help relieve some symptoms of multiple sclerosis:

Get enough rest. Fatigue is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis, and getting your rest may make you feel less tired.
Exercise. Regular aerobic exercise may offer some benefits if you have mild to moderate MS. Benefits include improved strength, muscle tone, balance and coordination, and help with depression. Swimming is a good option for people with MS who are bothered by heat.

Be careful with heat. Extreme heat may cause extreme muscle weakness. Although some people with multiple sclerosis aren't bothered by heat and may enjoy warm baths and showers, be very careful before exposing yourself to extreme heat until you know how you'll react. Don't get into a hot tub or sauna unless there's someone nearby who can pull you out if necessary. If you do experience heat-related worsening of signs or symptoms, cooling down for a few hours usually will return you to your normal state.

Cool down. Many people with multiple sclerosis experience heat-related worsening of MS symptoms. If you live in a hot and humid area, consider having air conditioning in your home. Tepid or cool baths also may provide some relief.

Eat a well-balanced diet. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can help keep your immune system strong.

MS cure at Dalhousie University?

Not so fast my friend.

There is a few rumors floating around the MS forums that an apparent news reports stated researchers from Dalhousie university are close to a cure for MS. After doing some research and making a few phone calls this news was misinterpreted. Below is a recap of what I learned with the help of my wife.

Trudy Campbell, nurse practitioner with the MS Research Department at Dalhousie University, tells us the news spot referred to the End MS Campaign by the MS Society of Canada. They encourage donations which allow research to continue towards a cure for MS, but there is not a cure forthcoming in the very near future. She remains hopeful that within a few years they will find a cure, just not yet.
http://www.endms.ca/english/donate-now.aspx

Some news from MRF

I just got his via email and thought I would post it on. The email was mostly recruiting donations but it did have some news.

The MRF is supported by charitable donations from foundations, corporations and people like you. If you have already made a donation, the MRF is most grateful for your support. If not, we would appreciate a gift of any amount to help us maintain our aggressive research effort. I believe the MRF will achieve its goal to license for commercial development a myelin repair therapeutic target by July 2009. Your support and the support of your friends and family members will help to ensure our ability to do so, and to continue identifying new drug targets until a better treatment for people with MS is a reality.

http://www.myelinrepair.org/

Part VII

Well it’s been a long time since my last update and not a lot has changed. The diet appears to be helping me and it is going very well. I had a great Thanksgiving Swank dinner! On the flip side I am struggling a bit with fatigue as well as the cold weather. It appears I am sensitive to the cold much like the heat. Makes it tough to stay motivated and get out there. It’s really hard to balance how you feel, how things really effect you, and what may or may not be over analyzation. Thankfully, I have a great wife to lean on. Anne helps me a lot along the way and keeps me focused.

I had a phone conference with Dr. Qutab after my last test and my meeting with Dr. Greene. He reccomended some new blood tests. Once these are done we may adjust my diet and take natural approaches to my fatigue issues. Any further nutritional changes for my treatment plans will come after this blood test and my next meetings.
The new blood tests were as follows:
DHEA
Candida
Serum carnitine
Vitamin D
Vitamin B12 (follow up to see what the B12 I am taking is doing)

Some treatment options he mentioned that I am not currently doing are the following:

1. DHEA treatment
MS patients have been noted to have low DHEA levels. With treatment some have seen discernible improvement, in their quality of life, increased energy, better dexterity, greater limb strength, decreased numbness.

2. Anti-candida (anti-fungal) treatment with Nystatin or herbal alternative

3. L-carnitine
Deficiency of carnitine may contribute to fatigue by reducing energy production through fatty acid oxidation.

4. Histamine therapy
Being researched by Dr. Jonathan Wright. They are uncontrolled studies but are proving effective.

5. AMP (adenosine monophosphate) IM injections, 20-100 mg, 3 times per week for 6 months to 1 year
Alternately, it can be given sublingually, although the research is being done with injections.

6. Chinese herbal formulas

After my meeting with Qutab, it was back to Dr Greene to discuss everything and formulate what the neurological approach is going to be. I again passed all neurological testing and my eye is probably about 90%-95%. Dr. Greene agreed with the blood tests and I have had them (still waiting on results). I took her advice and did get a flu shot. After we went through all the meds and what Dr. Greene reccomends, I have decided the following: No medications at this time, MRI scheduled 6 months out (progress check), call in with ANY new symptoms or any questions. I will exercise, follow the diet, decrease any stress and take the natural approach for 6 months. At 6 months we will have the MRI and see where things are.

Another update soon.