Oral Medication

Okay, pills for MS are not yet available, but they are coming soon. Soon is a word we hear about medical trials quite often. We do not know exactly when soon means, but we are closer than ever before.

There are five, yes, five different possibilities of oral medications in trials at this time. The first two approved will probably be cladrbrine and fingolimad. Familiar names — coming soon to a pharmacist near you.

Many of us with MS have been waiting for these two oral medications to reach the market. When it happens, I hope there are plenty of pills and that they make a difference in our lives!

My Card for You

For the Christmas Tree, Garry used IFL Labs software for the fractal and Jasc animation software for the animation.

Pioneers in Research

The University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) is one of 23 schools nationwide to receive a grant from Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), called Med to Grad, helping Ph.D students learn to move laboratory research to clinical trials.

Dr. Helen Yin started the program at UTSW, calling the participating students pioneers.

"This major grant from HHMI is a creative initiative that highlights the fundamental linkage among our core missions of education, research and patient care," said Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky, president of UT Southwestern. "It will significantly further out highest priorities as an academic medical center committed to biomedical research and its translation into innovative patient care."

Research Studies

Want to volunteer for a medical research study?

UT Soutwestern sent a press release about ResearchMatch where volunteers can be matched — online — to a scientific research project, or clinical trial, for which they might qualify. The National Institute of Health gave UT Southwestern a grant to help quickly move laboratory discoveries into actual therapies.

This new allows the medical community "to cast a wider net into a deeper pool of potential subjects.” Both healthy people and those with illnesses and conditions can take advantage of this opportunity!

MS and Evils

One of my favorite online friends Michael B. Gerber doesn't write in his blog about MS, he writes about life. His happens to be a life with MS, so MS sneaks in there now and again. You may notice his blog "Perspective Is Everything" in my "Favorite MSer Sites" list.

Last week Michael sent me a story about medication and side effects. He asked if I had something to add, but it was good, as his writing is. I did, however, manage to throw in a word or two and make a change here or there. Read our post here: The Lesser of Two Evils

His is a blog certainly worth reading. While you're there, look around. Enjoy.

Pain and MS, Yes, It Hurts

I wrote a series of articles for Health Central on Pain and MS, covering the types of pain and treatments. These are general, just to give you an idea. I am sure there are some pains as well as some treatments that have been left out. Please let me know! The best idea is to talk with your doctor about any pain and how to treat it. Here is the article series —

Pain and MS

Is MS painless? When I was first diagnosed with MS, it was common for the MS literature to refer to it as a painless disease. I was dealing with a new diagnosis of a disease I did not yet understand and was wondering what else was wrong with me. Articles said MS didn't bring pain, but I was in pain. Many MSers know that... Read more

Pain and MS: Neuropathic Pain

There is pain in MS. It can be acute or chronic, generally categorized as neuropathic, musculoskeletal, or tertiary. Let's begin looking at details. Sometimes the nervous system does not function properly, and it actually becomes the cause of pain. Neuropathic (nervous disease) pain is the most common kind in MS. That... Read more

Pain and MS: Musculoskeletal Pain

There is pain in multiple sclerosis, with several categories that can be acute or chronic. My last article discussed neuropathic pain. Today, I am going to talk about details specific to musculoskeletal pain. Our musculoskeletal system -- bones, muscles, connective tissues -- provides our bodies with stability and movement.... Read more

Pain and MS: Tertiary Pain

It has been established that there is pain in MS. I have talked about neuropathic pain and musculoskeletal pain, which is generally considered secondary pain. Now it is time to talk about tertiary pain. Tertiary pain can be broadly defined as the social, vocational and psychological complications brought on by the primary and secondary symptoms.It... Read more

Pain and MS: MS Plus

If you have MS, pain may be a large part of it. What happens when someone has MS plus another disorder that may cause pain. Are you at risk for other pain-causing conditions? I know - you have MS, isn't the MS enough? MS is enough, but life isn't fair, and contracting one condition does not reduce the chance of contracting another. Many blogs and... Read more

Pain and MS: Treatment

There is pain in MS. This series of articles has discussed that pain -- Neuropathic, Musculoskeletal, Tertiary, and MS Plus. Once the fact of pain has been accepted, the remaining question is how can that pain be stopped or reduced. Today, I am going to talk about traditional treatments for each of those pains discussed in the earlier posts. The... Read more

MS and Pain: Alternative Therapies

MS pain can be excruciating, frequent, inconvenient or heavy unending dullness. There are many traditional treatments that help to alleviate those pains. However, they don't always work and there is always someone who can't or just doesn't want to take too much medication. Some MSers are ready to try anything -- just to make the pain stop.Today, I... Read more

Pain and MS: Living with Pain

"The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it." ~C.C. Scott Today, I am concluding the series on pain in MS. Earlier, I talked about the fact that, until recently, pain was not even recognized as part of MS. Then I went into common types of pain, and both conventional and alternative treatments. Now it's time to find a... Read more

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In the Hue of Blue

On a bright September afternoon, the warmth of not only the sun on my skin, yet words spoken.
Promises given.
A soft light chatter.
And you.

Days were numbered.
Words counted.

As if time stood still. And yesterday was now.
So much has filled the days. All good and fulfilling.
And still the grayness hovers.

I knelt in the wet grass and sought out some comfort. Long has it been since I have sat in this spot. Fifteen years to be exact.
I broke that promise today.
The reasons for not, are not just for promises.
For the reality comes.
Comes heavy.

"Do not kneel at my grave. Do not cry, for I am not there."
No you are not.
Compelled today, to seek this out. To touch the stone, to read the name.
To weep.

concrete.

A day of glee with the children, for the impending night of frolic is at hand. Which shall distract me.
Enough.

Ghosts and goblins all in their best. Behind the outward smile...a bit of tears to escape.

I wish to find the right...words. To put it all in it's place.

Dad...I miss you.


GVO October 31, 1930- October 27 1994

143
Josephine

A background story I share: Remembering Spanky

Strathmere NJ Sept 09

 

Biking for MS

The National MS Society sponsors 100 bike events to raise funds for MS. All of the participating bikers have one destination — A World Free from MS! Sounds like a place I would like to go there one day. How about you?


My friend, my college roommate many years ago, has a friend who was ready to bike, so she dedicated her ride to me. We met only online. Georgia sent these fabulous pictures of her with her New Orleans team on their ride. Unfortuneately, they were unable to complete the ride as scheduled because of Louisiana's famous weather. Too bad.

They had fun and MS appreciates their contribution. Thanks, Georgia Kobos Thomas!

Inner Child

I have made peace with my inner child. That lonely little girl who desperately yearn to be loved , to be held. To be wanted.
The little girl who found solace playing alone. No one to tease her, hidden within her world of dolls and books.

As this inner child's skin grew...her yearning became deeper. Accomplishing herself. Utilizing her drive, her motivations, as warped as they may have been, to rise to the top. To be the best. Not winning? What was that...not this chickie.
And as her skin grew around her fragile interior, the demon crept in. Eating away. Ingesting all of her worth.
That need to be. To be one of "them". To fit in. Believing in the fallacy that she needs to be accepted by "them". That search of love was misguided. A quest to "feel" loved. Having a twisted faith, that if she gave and poured her heart out that the void left would be filled. That muddy existence blurred. Escalated to dangerous/risky behavior. She fit in alright.

Coming to terms with this inner child inside, that little girl waving to me as I walk along. Whispering devilish prose in my sleep. Waking me to evil dances. Engaging my thoughts with temptuous delights. While she danced on moonbeams with that ever so contagious smile.

She gave into her too many times. Too many times her accomplishments led to her demise. And with each failure; this me, who she is today, grew stronger. {And for a time, building a wall. Surrounding herself, isolating herself. Keeping all at bay. No one gets in alive. It just hurt too much.}

I miss that child. Her innocence. Her zest. Her impulsiveness. Her LOVE of the world and life.
Yet she was unable to cope with the balance needed to survive.
Fighting and kicking the woman all the way.

I embrace the woman she became over the years. She still has growing to accomplish. Her path endless beyond the horizon.

Yeah, I have made peace with my inner child.

I sent her to bed. She's grounded.

Peace

.

Dragon Tribal Tattoo Designs - Top 4 Dragon Tattoos

One of the most popular and commonly seen tattoo designs are the dragon tribal tattoos. Many people have always been attracted to dragons and these tattoo designs can be inked any where on the body. It's because of this versatility why dragon tattoos are so popular. They symbolize power, danger, luck, freedom, rage, and destruction. Men are seen as the guardians of their family, so some men get images of dragons tattooed on their body to represent protection.

Although some people get dragon tribal tattoos to follow their tradition, others get these tattoos simply because they love them. There are many different designs and as you can expect, all of them are unique in their own way. Take a look at the top 4 dragon tattoo designs.

1. Western Dragon Tattoos: These tattoos symbolize anger, wrong doing, anger, or negative energy and the designs include four strong legs, a wedged shaped head, pointed teeth, and a large set of wings.

2. Eastern Dragon Tattoos: These tattoos symbolize luck and positive energy unlike it's western counterpart. They have beards with whiskers and a long slender body with four short legs. Red or green are the traditional colors of the eastern dragon tattoo.

3. Japanese Dragon Tattoos: These tattoo designs represent freedom, power, and kindness. You will often find this dragon design on the arm rather than any other body part. The Japanese dragon tattoo design has a serpent like body, small legs, three toes, and four claws. This dragon tattoo designs is also wing less.

4. Chinese Dragon tattoos: There are a lot of these tattoos and the most common is the horned dragon, which symbolizes rain. Another Chinese dragon tattoo design you will often find is the Chinese Zodiac tattoos.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Dragon-Tribal-Tattoo-Designs---Top-4-Dragon-Tattoos&id=2847533

Locating a Great Tribal Tattoo Gallery on the Net

It's not the fact that you aren't; able to find a tribal tattoo gallery on the net. It's the part about locating the "quality" galleries that is in question. Are you using a search-engine to find the websites that have tribals for you to look at? Well, they are the number one reason so many men and women keep bumping into the slew of generic, low end artwork out there. Here is how to get right past it.

I don't want to spend too much time of telling you about the tons of generic tribal tattoo gallery sites out there. What I do want to tell you, though, is the fact that most of them are not worth your time, especially if you happen to be using a search-engine to find them. Sue, there are great galleries out there, but search engines will not bring you to many of them. Most of what you will find are going to be cookie cutter images that are way over seven years old.

Also, most of these galleries don't care what type of artwork the throw on their pages. Many of them will plop images on their websites that aren't supposed to be used as real tattoo! As long as the image looks sort of good, they are more than willing to fill their tribal tattoo gallery with this stuff. Picking one of the designs from that tribal tattoo gallery is not wise. Images that weren't drawn to be used as tattoos tend to come out looking nowhere near as good on your skin once tattooed.

Ok, enough of that mess. Let's get to the good stuff about finding a truly superb tribal tattoo gallery on the web...

It's not gong to be any sort of rocket science. You don't have to be very web savvy to pull this off. It just includes using the wonderful information that internet forums contain. You probably didn't know that tattoos are a pretty big subject inside of most forums. If you did, then use them more. Since it is such a huge subject that is talked about quite often, you better believe that the subject of a tribal tattoo gallery comes up a lot.

There are hundreds of other men and women who are looking for the great galleries out there and they post about it. This is where you can find all of the links that other people have posted. They post links to the hidden, superb galleries that you have been missing out on. This is the type of tribal tattoo gallery that usually has the fresh, original designs for you to browse.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Locating-a-Great-Tribal-Tattoo-Gallery-on-the-Net&id=1308857

How To Get A Tribal Tattoo Design And A Modern Tattoo Design Together

A tribal tattoo can range from a stand alone generic design to something much more complex and symbolic. But what if one doesn't want to be limited to the tribal design, and wants to incorporate other more modern designs. Here is a way to have a tribal tattoo while syncing it up with another design.

-Incorporating the a tribal tattoo with modern design.

This involves incorporating both modern design with tribal design, but doing so in a tasteful way. This reflects both the current day while also representing the past. Basically a tattoo design is used, for instance a particular object of some sort, then a tribal tattoo design is incorporated around it, alongside it, or preferably in a way where "equal billing" is given to both the object and picture of tribal tattoo. Many of the weaker versions of this simply have tribal "arms" sticking out from the object. Here the tribal tattoo is essentially demoted to that of acting as "flames". Stronger versions of incorporating tribal with modern involve utilizing the tribal tattoo in a way that works alongside the object in some manner, visually or symbolically. It usually will not only strengthen the object, but also be able to hold it's own.

A tribal tattoo may seem an easy choice on the surface, but if you are into finding something unique with meaning, and incorporating it with an existing or new tat, then its worth researching to find the right design that will fit. The right tribal tattoo combined with your favorite modern tattoo is worth much research into not only design but meaning as well. What does it symbolize or stand for? How could that relate to the modern design? Choosing a tribal tattoo and modern tattoo together as one could make for the ideal tattoo.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Get-A-Tribal-Tattoo-Design-And-A-Modern-Tattoo-Design-Together&id=667007

Tribal Tattoo Designs For Shoulder, Arm and Lower Back Tattoos

Tribal tattoo designs are perhaps one of the original tat images, it has been around for years and the trend is still very much alive. The most common body parts for this particular theme are the shoulder, arm and lower back because they are areas that have contours that can best enhance the styles and strokes of tribal art.

Tribal designs are very much part of the tattoo history as it originated way back during pre industrial times when ancient people cluster in tribes and tattoos are used to reflect their social status and religious values. Tattoos during the early times have a much different purpose as compared today. They were done as part of the rite of passage to adulthood status or for religious or magical purposes as means of identification. It is also used as a talisman to insure the bearer's good luck or used to charm the opposite sex.

Nowadays, tribal tattoo designs are executed and incorporated in a variety of ways. They are typically characterized by stark, black, arching lines and mirror-image patterns. They can be lines or curves that may run parallel or intersecting each other starting thick on one end and then coming to a point. Popular tattoo images such as flowers, butterflies, sun and skulls are some of the favorite design that are accentuated with tribal styles.

Tribal tattoos designs are obtained because the wearer wants to achieve a certain look while some still maintain that desire to portray ancestral tribal heritage. Because of its creative and abstract feel and flexibility as a tattoo design, it will always be one of the top choices for people who are thinking of getting inked.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Tribal-Tattoo-Designs-For-Shoulder,-Arm-and-Lower-Back-Tattoos&id=2552567

Tribal Tattoo Designs

For centuries, tattoos symbolized the membership in groups, families, but for a few years, tattoos have become more popular. It is possible that many people have them not only for decorative purpose, so we must understand why more than thirty million people worldwide have submitted this type of self mutilation. The choice of a tattoo today can tell something about the soul of its owner; some believe that a tattoo is the graffiti for the soul…

We’ll find many surprising stories about the tattoos significance and role: many sailors believe that a tattoo is a talisman against the possibility of drowning at sea. The American Indian believed tattoos protected them in battle and some Burmese people think even today that a tattoo over the heart can stop bullets.

The tribal tattoos history is a real kaleidoscope; each place of Earth where the tattoos are popular has a particular and many times surprising history, significance, tradition, and realization technique. But almost everywhere, the tattoos appeared a few hundred years ago.

The place where the word tattoo originated, were the tribal tattoo reached perfection for thousand of years is Tahiti. Here the tattoos applications are most painful, but it reached a high level of artistic endeavor. The habitants of Samoa still believe that the elaborate geometrical design of the traditional body suit is the way to show respect for the God-qualities, for others it is the rite of passage to manhood.

The ancient Maori warriors started their tattoos tradition painting their faces with charcoal before each battle. Then they began to make the design permanent, calling it “moko”. It was said that a man without “moko” was a “papatea” (plain face) and was considered an outcast.

Celtic tattoos are one of the most attractive design choices. The design comes from ancient art from Ireland, Scotland and England. They are as old as the Celtic history is.
Some fifth century painted pictures are representing warriors having tattoos all over their body; the tattoos are indicating the rank or caste. Later they were also symbols of religious devotion, simply for decoration or appeal for fertility.

Celtic tattoos are not duplicating real things, they are made of sinuous lines interweaving to complete a cycle. Almost all the Celtic tattoo designs are complicated, there is neither end nor beginning to it. There are many intricate patterns too…

Celtic animal designs are unending, but some have the cords terminate in feet, heads, or tails. Many designs are presenting zoomorphic elements or spirals.

Tattoos are also largely considered the mark of the Yazuka – the Japanese Mafia. A full body tattoo can take many years to be made and costs about $50000; the tattoo complicated colored design seems to have mythic power and only some specialized masters can accomplish such a miraculous work of art.

In China the tattoos are made with designs of 2500 years old, and are representing a variety of fantastic beasts: fish, deer, dragoon. There are made for personal protection and like emblems of noble birth. Siberian tribesmen still ink symbols down their spine to cure the back pain.

In Russia, the tattoos tradition isn’t so old: they were the prisoners’ secret language. In Stalin’s gulags, tattoos were a form of protest; today they are only a fancy accessory.

Borneo is an exotic and hard to reach place where tattoos ward off harm and disease. In the “heart of darkness” tattoos as protection gains some credibility.

Hawaii is home for some famous tattooist, like Norman Keith. He is well known “for giving the modern tattoo revolution a major boost.” He began moving American tattooing towards more Japanese style, unified, custom design. He also changed the status of tattooists, bringing them out of the underground to the growing light of the artistic respectability.

In St. Lawrence Island the Asiatic Eskimo tribesmen can live past 100 and have, certainly, the last most authentic tattoos on this planet.
We can find spectacular tribal tattoos even in Queen Charlotte Islands, where the images are family history told in pictures. Animals’ designs on the hands are announcing the family name.

In Mackenzie Delta small crosses on the cheeks or shoulders are keeping a tally of the taken whales. Netsilik women were tattooed in order to gain admittance to the afterworld.

In the northern Kalinga (Philippines) the tribesmen are the most ornamented people of the region; their body art is resurrected one more time.

Now let see the tribal tattoo tradition in US. Since the 18th century, merchant sailors acquired tribal skin art returning from voyages in the South Seas. Because members of the British aristocracy traditionally took to the sea, and returned with tattoos (discreetly hidden) some western tattooist set up shop near the docks. The tattoos become exotica for the upper classes. Later, the port city tattooist began inking criminals, fiefs and prostitutes and tattoo became mark of lowlifes. This is the reason way for hundred of years the tattoo remained underground. The tattooist was considered as an outlaw and the tattoo was imprisoned by persecutions and prohibitions born of myriad fears.

Now the tattoos are made using modern and secure devices, capable of 125 pricks per second. The designs are presented worldwide using the most spectacular advertising tools.

Whether it is on an arm or ankle, a butterfly or tribal symbol, a piece of body art no longer holds the lure of rebellion it once did...

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Tribal-Tattoo-Designs&id=57892

Tribal Tattoos - Sexiest Spots For Men to Get Inked

There's something very cool about tribal tattoos that everyone can't help but notice. Maybe it's the free-flowing lines or the intricacy of the designs. Maybe it's the rough elements mixed into the softness of the drawing. Whatever it is, men and women love them and place them all over their bodies.

So we know tribal tattoos can be drawn pretty much anywhere on the body but I want to cover a few of the very sexy spots for every man to consider putting their next tribal tattoo.

Sexy Spots for Men to Get Inked

Tribal tattoos can be put on your greatest features and most defined muscles. There's nothing sexier for a woman than to see body art atop a plump mass of muscle. That is typically why you'll see tribal tattoos wrapped around a man's bicep as an armband. But let's step out of the box here and explore what other sexy spots guys can put their tribal tattoos.

Pectoral muscles

Tattoos can be in a circular pattern on top of this muscle or integrated in a piece that comes over the shoulder and across the pec.

The side of a man's neck

This is VERY sexy because when you have a shirt on, a female will wonder what the rest of the tattoo (and your body) looks like. The neck is a very sexual and sensual part of the body anyway so putting art here is all the more inviting.

Well-defined forearms (bulging veins and all)

You can place a linear tribal tattoo on the underside or top of your forearm. The skin under the forearm is more tender so getting it there may come across as more sexy and daring but another female could have a different opinion so there's no clear cut answer to that spot.

Upper back, across the top of your shoulder blades

If you have nice back and shoulder muscles, you can place a tattoo there that extends over your trapezius muscle or even down your spine. You can also extend the design slightly up the back of your neck for more sex appeal.

Abs

You can get inked on your side, down your ribcage, across your obliques. This is really sexy too if you have the v-cut in your abs.

Basically, if you have a sexy body, strategically placing classic tattoos will only make it sexier. Tribal tattoos can be sized to fit anyone's muscles no matter the size so you don't have to look like Arnold to have a sexy ink job. And remember, "tribal" is a style so you're not limited to any specific design.

Guys, get instant access and view pages and pages of the most unique tribal tattoos imaginable. Don't waste your time looking at generic (far-from-sexy) tattoos that everyone and their mother has seen!

If you're serious about your body art, you'll appreciate the HUGE selection of tribal tattoo designs to choose from and the quality of art showcased.

Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Tribal-Tattoos---Sexiest-Spots-For-Men-to-Get-Inked&id=1840657