I just found out that my only niece has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Now I need to scour the internet looking for information on this awful illness. Does anyone know anything about it?

I know quite a bit. My Step Dad had it.

There'* two types a progressive and remissive. Any idea which type she has?

I don't know yet. She just found out today she has it. :(

I'm so sorry to hear this! I don't want to worry you so I won't go into great details of what I know about it. I have an aunt that has it and my neighbor has it. My neighbor has it worse though because he was fine and able to work, then just 3 years later he totally lost his eye sight, his teeth, his hearing, and is now unable to work not only because of htat, but because of his muscles deteriorating. This is an extreme case though. Usually the individual affected will be able to live a normal life for several more years. She'll just have to make the most out of it while she can. :( Again, I'm so sorry to hear about this. She'll be in my prayers.

my father was diagnosed about 5 months ago. its just starting in his hand at the moment.(which is a problem cuz hes a jeweler....

I'm really sorry to hear that. My sister-in-law has the non-remitting type. She'* been in a wheel-chair for about 15 years now. She has trouble talking, and moving her limbs. On a positive note, she still remains in good spirits most of the time. Many become quite the fighters after being diagnosed.

A man that I worked with had the remitting type, and he had good days and bad days. Much will depend on the type that she has.

There'* a lot of information on the internet regarding it. The frustrating part is that many treatments that looked very promising on animals did not work as expected on humans. There are still many things on the horizon that look promising.

She'll be in my prayers also. A friend of mine does the MS-150 bike ride, and posts names on his bike of those for whom he is riding. If you want to PM me her name, I can have him add her to his list.

One of the things that ticks me off royally is that when she told her mother - her mother (my sister in law) told her that she brought this on herself by not taking care of herself and not listening to the mother. I wanted to rip her mothers head off when I heard that. No compassion whatsoever. It really infuriates me!!! I am hopeful that my niece has the form that isn't so bad. She is only 30 years old and has 3 young sons. I did do some research on it last night and feel a little better but still I hate to see anyone have to go through this. When I find out what type she has I will let you know.

In the meantime- THANK YOU all so much for the support!!

Ok..seems to be generating a ton of responses. On the remissive version I've seen tons of grreat stuff.

On the progressive, things are still tough. What i'm about to say needs to be understood it was done under medical supervision.

Mom and Step Dad tried an electrical shock thing..(prescribed by Dr.) No luck
Tried some medications but since it was progressive the meds didn't help for long.
BTW Step Dad had many years after being diagnosed.
Depending which body parts it (actually brain areas) it starts in determines which parts you have trouble moving first.

MS in the basics is a breakdown of the coating over the nerves in the brain. The lack of coating keeps the electrical impluse generated by the brain from getting to the body part desired.

Mom and Step Dad saw a show one night, researched it in the newspapers etc and called the person in the show directly. The show explained how honey bee venom (when you get stung) has a chemical in it that reestablished the nerve coating temporarily. Living on a farm and Mom being a registered nurse they consulted Dr'* etc. The medical community in our country can not currently use bee venom as a form us treatment due to the number of people fatally allergic to bee venom. For a treatment to be approved there are specific fatallity numbers to be within.

With that said, armed with a bee sting kit (buy at most drug stores) and a journal, they started in small slow doses. The results are tough to believe, within 15 minutes of being stung Step Dad who had no right hand control was able to regain near full control and movement.

The tough part. Currently no one sells bee venom or any version of the chemical in it. The method of gathering it was to get a bee hive.. walk up to the hive and kneel next to it. Have an old rinsed pickle jar w/holes in the top and some paper and honey in it and tweezers in your hand. (tip..Do not wear dark colors) As a bee lands or is about to leave the hive grab him by the wings or gently around the body and put him in the jar.. (yes..I've got skill ) Once you've gathered a day or two worth go inside..

Bees calm in darkness or drop them in the fridge for 30 seconds..the cold slows them down.

Now..have a spray bottle of water handy(they can't fly w/wet wings) ice the area where you are going to sting the person. Once numb open jar and grab one bee. Again remembering a dead bee can't sting. Apply the bee'* rear to the area to sting and upset the bee..(it'* pretty easy actually). Hold bee while stinging and a moment later to drain all venom possible. Pull bee off and leave stinger in for about 2 minutes to drain venom.

Discard bee outside (it'* got a short lifespan now)

Each person should find their own level of venom needed. I can say a 6'2" 200lbs man used about 6-8 bees every other day.

Again..I am not saying try this... It may be something to consider researching though. I beleive the show was about a Rhode Island woman.. sorry I no longer have the journals or information.

I am so sorry that your niece has this terrible illness. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Stay strong Tracy and your niece will be benefit from your strength. (Your sister in law sounds like mine :? )

Wow.....

Seems like all of us are having a bad week in some way or another.

Sorry to hear about your neice but,research and medical consultation will be the best way to figure a plan of action to combat the effects of this disease.
Best of luck to your neice and her family for my thoughts and prayers are with them.