PeopleWithMS.com

An economical site for cooling products, such as vests, bandanas, scarfs, wheelchair backs, etc.  Good reputation among MSers.

Cytoxan etc. (Cyclophosphamide) is an Immuno-suppressive drug that is usually given to treat Cancer. Cyclophosphamide blocks cell growth and also suppresses the immune system. Some studies, but not all, have reported benefits for patients with chronic progressive MS. Combinations of cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids are showing some promise in significantly blocking immune factors responsible for MS inflammation. Cyclophosphamide can have many side effects, including hair loss, nausea, vomiting, infertility, lung scarring, and blood abnormalities.

"I just found out about this in the AARP magazine...., there are lots of options, the long term care one is probably too expensive for most of us, but it's something to think about..."

The name says it all !  If you've got a WC. this is a site you need to be sure to check out.

A wide variety of accessibility products available from this site.

"The Cochrane Library brings together in one place research which looks at the effectiveness of different health care treatments and interventions. It is recognised as the best single source of information on the effects of health care." (Funded by the Commonwealth Government of Australia)  This appears to be a gateway to the Australian perspective.    

"The reliable source of evidence in healthcare" Despite their questionable study on the effectiveness of Copaxone, this seems an interesting site to explore.  Let us know what you think.

A wide ranging medical site covering all sorts of medical subjects - not just MS.  A good all -purpose reference.

Kool n' Safe has quite a range of cooling products - not just vests, with a more industrial orientation.  So when you want to look beyond an ice vest, this is the place to go !

"Designed for use by MS patients," these represent a solid middle ground in the cooling vest market arena.  If you are in the market for an ice vest, you certainly want to check these folks out.

An interesting article on Avacore's new rapid thermal exchange product.  Certainly out of the price range of many MS'rs, but suggestive of similar lower cost DIY solutions.  

Share submitted this site in response to the news contest.  While it doesn't quite fit as news, it's certainly an interesting alternative body cooling technology.  Anyone with experience, or leads on where this is sold ?

Judy submitted this site as possible news.  Well, at least the site redesign is news.  As a new link, though, it's very nice.  Worth your time to poke around !

Check out their upcoming Multiple Sclerosis Webcast on May 25, 2004, at 8:30 PM EST;  Understanding the Complexities of Multiple Sclerosis The Myth of Mild MS

" This will provide a simple picture of how immune cells figure in MS, appreciating that not all immune responses are necessarily ‘bad’, and that some may actually be ‘good’. With this model, we will then be able to identify how the approved immune modulators in MS (Avonex®, Betaseron®, Copaxone® and Rebif®) are thought to work."

This is a very readable explanation of what is going on with your immune system, and how the approved medications appear to work.  

The MSFoundation has recently released some new books, brochures, and publications you might want to check.  A hot number with some might be;  Complementary and Alternative Medicine for People with Multiple Sclerosis  As they state;  "Professionally reviewed by Dr. Allen C. Bowling, Medical Director at the Rocky Mountain MS Center, this booklet offers unbiased information on alternative therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology, biofeedback, meditation, and much more." 

SteeleVest

SteeleVest

This is the Mercedes of icevests, widely used by people with MS.  This is the first site to visit, at least as a basis for comparison.  

Coolsport

Coolsport

A wide range for various uses, not just MS.  A very popular alternative. 

IceVest

First Choice Racing

A specialized icevest application.  Maybe right for you?

TotalCool

MistCooling.com 

This is very interesting for alternative cooling products. If you are low on funds, or handy with a sewing machine, this might be just the place. 

Drugs.com 

This is the direct link to the Novantrone page of this nice general medical reference site.  The page lists a range of interesting articles specific to Novantrone.  However, worth noting is that this is but one of many, many medications similarly profiled.  So generally quite useful to all, whatever the medical concern.

National Library of Medicine & National Institutes of Health

A broad range of topics are covered on this all purpose US Government site.  

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

This is probably the key MS-specific site for US Government information of a general and medical-specific nature.  

Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

An excellent site for discussion of the wide range of medications used for cancer treatment, including "heavy-guns" medications like Novantrone, Cytoxan, and others in use or contemplated for MS.  

Remedy find

Therapeutic massage techniques involve the manipulation of the body’s soft tissue (muscles, tendons and ligaments) to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm and stress, and to promote relaxation and well- being. There are dozens of types of therapeutic massage.

Personal MS web site 

My name is Helen, I am 31 years old and live in Middlesbrough (UK), I don't have any children but I am married and have been for 11 years.

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State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

National Conference of State Legislatures

29 states have current programs in action, and another 8 in progress, to aid seniors, disabled, uninsured and others.  This a very handy reference site to check out for anyone who has significant pharmaceutical needs.  Worth noting for reference. 

Americans with Disabilities Act

ADA.gov/

Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act.  This is where it all starts when it comes to anything concerning disabilities and the, laws, and the government in the USA.  If you think you have an issue, check here first !   

How to build a wheelchair ramp

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If you need a wheelchair ramp built at your home, read this article and find out how to build one yourself.  This is a really great little article on the guidelines for building a wheelchair ramp.  No legal crap -> this is pure How-to, Do-it-yourself reading. 

MS-Library Archive

International MS Support Foundation

Multiple Sclerosis Information and Resources.  And one heck of a lot of them! This library (as yet unexplored) covers many different aspects of MS in a well organized, obvious, and easy-to-use format.  Worth exploring.

Stannah Stairlifts

Stannah Stairlifts

Home of the world's leading stairlifts.  This is the high end solution to the mobility problems of a multi-level home.  Even if your needs or means are more modest, this is the place to start.   

PHYSICIANS DESK REFERENCE

PDRHealth

"Your starting point for getting well and staying well." The PDR is one of the standard medical tests in any doctor's office. 

Lumbar Puncture

Medicinenet.com

A good overview of a painful subject. 

Wheelchair.net

Wheelchair.net

This is really quite a knockout of a site for anyone interested in wheelchairs, scooters, and the many issues related to them.  Absolutely recommended ! 

MS Treatments in Development

Veritas Medicine

An extremely readable discussion of the different treatments for multiple sclerosis currently under development.   

National Institutes of Health (USA)

The US National Library of Medicine maintains a superb page with a great number of links to all things MS.   This is a real keeper.

Rocky Mountain Health Center

Complementary and Alternative medicine is the focus of this very nice site.  They conduct frequent surveys of the MS community on a range of alternatives, from the familiar, to the controversial, to little known.  This definitely belongs on the short list of CAM sites !

A top priority for the National MS Society is implementation of the 2003 Medicare Rx Act. This update explains the major provisions of this complicated legislation according to the schedule of implementation.  This is very important to MSers on SSDI, and it's in English ! ! !

"Study shows evidence that myelin-producing cells die before there is any immune system activity"  Paul Jones, a principle of the respected Mult-Sclerosis.org site, has done an excellent job of translating a research paper in the Annals of Neurology into informed layman's English.   As he puts it; "Thus far, Barnett and Prineas's paper seems to have been met with a deafening silence which is why I decided to write this piece."  Paul's translation is worth a read.

A listing of all the Clinical Medicine and Patient Education publications from Demos. This is not an endorsement or recommendation, but it does provide descriptions of a number of interesting texts in  one place.  

LillyAnswers is Eli Lilly's effort to "bring immediate help to seniors without prescription drug coverage whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid, but limited enough that paying cash for necessary medicines presents a significant financial barrier......Under LillyAnswers, eligible seniors will have access to Lilly's portfolio of products for illnesses such as osteoporosis, diabetes, depression and schizophrenia-chronic diseases that afflict nearly 18 million or one in every two seniors."

A new discovery!  This site "provides access to clinical trials and information on treatment options" It covers quite a range of information in terms normal people can for the most part understand.  Highly Recommended.

A friend of Becky recommended visiting this site, which was created by a friend of hers. 

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) sponsor this site.  There is a simple form to fill out to determine eligibility for financial aid in acquiring medicines manufactured by these sponsoring companies.  A handy tool!

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has announced details of its 2004 National MS society Scholarship Program, which provides financial relief for people affected by MS who are pursuing a post-secondary education.

Our own Nurse Marie's website.  Please visit her website as it covers many chronic illnesses

Our new RA Muff's website.  Muff has one of the best links pages around visit it for much information on medical and financial support. 

Virtual Magnifying Glass 2.00 is a free, open source, screen magnification tool for Windows. It is simple, customizable, and easy-to-use.  

Naperville audiologist helps the needy acquire hearing aids.

A commercial link to the medication Lexapro, but with useful general guides.

A broad ranging site, as the name suggests.  It covers cause, identification, treatments.  

Recognize Your Own Loved One's Depression Early And Cope With It Successfully.  Selling a book, but there may be some useful stuff nonetheless.

Psychiatry24x7 presents information on a number of subjects, despite the link title.

Information on Xyprexa, a medication for Bipolar Disorder

As of February 1, 2004 at least 38 states have established or authorized some type of program to provide pharmaceutical coverage or assistance, primarily to low-income elderly or persons with disabilities who do not qualify for Medicaid.

The person who completes suicide dies once. Those left behind die a thousand deaths, trying to relive those terrible moments and understand... Why?

A collection of links from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Quite an extensive US Government site on Alternative Medicines.  

A continuously updated page on the subject.

"If you are feeling suicidal now, please stop long enough to read this. It will only take about five minutes...."

This is a web site for mental illness, but they do focus on depression.