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BRASS AND IVORY: LIFE WITH MS AND RA




 * Brass and Ivory: Life with Multiple Sclerosis and RA
 * Carnival of MS Bloggers
 * MS Blogger Community Online
 * iConquerMS
 * NMSS






TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020


FINDING COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT THROUGH THE RA HEALTHLINE APP


Healthline has created such a positive network, community, and resource for
those of us living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or rheumatoid disease (RD).

It’s been almost a month since the RA Healthline app launched and in this post I
want to share my favorite features and why I am still excited about this growing
community for anyone living with RA or RD.

If you haven’t joined yet, you must download the free app today!


FAVORITE FEATURES:


Live Chats
I talked about the daily live chats in my first blog post and they are still my
favorite feature. If you haven’t checked it out yet, live chats occur in each of
the different Groups at least five days each week. The chats are hosted by our
RA Guide, Ashley, or by a Guest Co-Host such as myself. 


In fact, Thursday night, June 25, at 8pm ET/5 pm PT in the Diagnosis Group, I
will be hosting a chat on the subject of RA diagnosis—Who Diagnosed Your RA? For
me, it wasn’t a rheumatologist who initially said, “I think you have RA.” It was
my hand surgeon. 



Groups
The groups themselves are my next favorite feature. This section is organized by
tabs that lead you to ongoing discussions surrounding different categories. Not
everything is about RA though. My favorite group is the “Escape from RA” group.
Other favorites include the “Mental and Emotional Health”, “General Health”, and
“Daily Life” groups. 


But that’s only 4 out of the 15 groups!! So much to choose from and so many
discussions to explore. 

By entering a group, you will find conversation threads pertaining to the
overall group topic. It’s easy to navigating through the threads, ask a
question, answer a question, leave a comment, or simply offer words of support. 


Community
It’s not always easy to talk about your disease, to truly be open and honest.
The community is growing every day and the conversations are rich and bountiful.
Within the RA Healthline community, you will find people who totally “get it.”
It’s a place you can be vulnerable and give comfort. Most importantly there’s
always room for you to add your voice!!




THE IMPACT OF RA HEALTHLINE:


Have you ever wanted to easily find articles about RA. relationships, diet,
exercise, symptoms, treatments, or more? The RA Healthline app will notify you
of an article of the day each morning. Within the app, additional material from
their main website are highlighted. It’s like having access to the Healthline
website within the app itself.


Have you ever wanted to ask a question about RA or about dealing with friends
who don’t understand? Here is where you can do that and receive responses from a
broad community of people living with the disease. And you don't need to be tied
to your computer to do so. The app goes wherever you go.


RECAP:


RA Healthline app offers different types of support all wrapped up in one
location. In short, the app provides:
 * Connection with real people living with RA
 * Live chats covering all sorts of topics
 * Informative Healthline articles and resources
 * A place to give and receive advice and support
 * Portability — It goes with you wherever you have your phone.
 * Everything at your fingertips, literally

Are you looking for support and a community who understands? Download the free
app here (Apple or android). Create an account. And jump right in!! I hope to
meet you there!








Posted by Lisa Emrich at 10:53 PM 2 comments:
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Labels: Healthline, Information, RA Community, RA Healthline, RA Resources,
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Support



MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020


RA HEALTHLINE: A NEW APP DESIGNED FOR THE RA COMMUNITY






This post is sponsored by Healthline, a partner of mine. I am so excited to be
working with them to help get the word out about their new app, RA Healthline.
This will be a great resource offering unique ways to make connections with the
RA community. Download your free RA Healthline app today!



For many people, smart phones are their lifeline to friends, business,
information, entertainment, and support. Hundreds of health-related apps have
been developed to help us keep track of physical activity, food/meals, symptoms,
mood, appointments, and more.


I’m excited to tell you about a new app, simply called RA Healthline, that is
developed by Healthline with whom I have partnered to help get the word out as
the app officially launches on June 1, 2020. 


The RA Healthline app is unique in that it features a combination of some of the
best elements of a Facebook group, support group, discussion forum, live chats,
and curated articles in a moderated, safe community. 


I have already been working with Healthline for several months to co-host group
chats within their well-established MS Healthline app. So I know what kind of
coolness you will find when you explore the RA Healthline app and help shape
this unique RA community from the beginning.



RA HEALTHLINE FEATURES:

Home: 
The Home tab looks a bit like your typical Facebook newsfeed. You get to see
what new comments, posts, or questions have been posted within the community. 


Groups:
The Groups section is where you’ll find a list of categories like Relationships,
Diagnosis, Symptoms, Work, Complications, Lifestyle, Medication, and more. The
Groups section reminds me of traditional forums where members can interact with
and support each other. Tap on a group to view the conversation threads and add
to the discussion. You can ask a question, respond to a conversation, or share a
story. 


Live Chats:
Alternating within different groups will be a daily “live chat” with our Guide
Ashley or co-hosted by one of our special guests, including ME!! Keep your eyes
out for the alerts. Our first chat will take place on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at
8 PM ET in the General Group.


I will be hosting a live chat on Thursday, June 11, 2020, at 8 PM ET in the
Navigating Healthcare Group. We'll be talking about "How to Make the Most of
Your Rheum Visit."


Members:
Within the Members section, you can be custom matched with other members who
share characteristics with you based on age, interests, and more. You can also
view all the members, see whose online, and strike up a conversation.


Messages:
This section is where your one-on-one conversations will be stored. Think of
this like your text message app within the RA Healthline app.


Discover:
The Discover section is where you can find all the best articles and expert
resources related to RA from healthline.com. It’s like having the website show
up inside the app. How cool is that?


RA Healthline app offers different types of support all wrapped up in one
location. In short, the app provides:

   
 * Connection with real people living with RA
 * Live chats covering all sorts of topics
 * Informative Healthline articles and resources
 * A place to give and receive advice and support


Check it out and let me know what you think! Download the free app here and join
the community today!





Posted by Lisa Emrich at 10:00 AM No comments:
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Labels: Healthline, RA Community, RA Healthline, RA Resources, Rheumatoid
Arthritis



SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2020


8 TIPS FOR SURVIVING YOUR NEXT MRI


MRIs are fun! Wait, you haven’t heard that before? 


MRIs are dreaded torture chambers! Maybe that’s the way you feel about the tool
which is ubiquitous with multiple sclerosis diagnosis and disease monitoring. 


Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses electromagnetic fields and radio waves to
create detailed images of the body, including myelin, inflammation, and
neurodegeneration. MRI machines are LOUD and uncomfortable. The scans for MS can
take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2.5 hours depending upon which parts of the
central nervous system are being examined: brain, cervical spine, and/or
thoracic spine.


It’s no fun to get an MRI — knock knock tap tap tap buzz buzz buzz tap tap tap —
but it doesn’t have to be entirely unpleasant. Here are some strategies I’ve
adopted over the past two decades to help me survive the torture chamber.


Music, music, music! As a professional musician, I have a vast assortment of
soundtracks stored in my head which I “play” during the MRI scans. If I want to
stay light-hearted, I might mentally play through some of my favorite horn
concertos. If I want to mentally drift off with a more intense long haul, I
might go with Mahler Symphony No. 5. Sometimes I might just play games and try
to time songs with the estimated length of an individual scan. If the technician
says, “this scan will last six minutes,” I break out a little Bohemian Rhapsody
by Queen. 


Some MRI facilities have machines that can play music through headphones. If
your facility offers this, you can create your own MRI playlist on your iPod
with your favorite songs and plug it into the machine. You might want to go with
calm, soothing sounds or pump up the volume with some classic 70s and 80s rock.
Some facilities might ask you what Pandora station you’d like to listen to. Just
don’t move to the beat or get your hips swinging and swaying. 


Dress comfortably. I can’t stress this enough. I usually wear sweat pants (no
metal, warm and cozy) and a short-sleeve T-shirt. For the ladies, I recommend
you go ahead and get comfortable — ditch the bra. If you are an underwire lady,
you can’t wear the bra anyway because of the metal. Although tennis shoes are
allowed, I usually take them off and wear socks just to keep my feet warm. 


You may be offered a blanket before the MRI. Take it. The room can get cold when
you can’t move. I like to keep my hands under the blanket but my upper torso
uncovered because it can also get a little warm inside the machine. Many MRI
machines will have a little air blow across your face. That helps to keep you
cooler and reduce feelings of claustrophobia.


Stay hydrated. In the days before the MRI, make sure that you are drinking
enough water. It will help the MRI technician find a better vein for the
gadolinium injection and reduce the chances you get “cotton mouth” during the
procedure, which can become uncomfortable. Avoid coffee the morning of the MRI
and be sure to empty your bladder multiple times before getting settled on the
table for a couple of hours. 


Keep limber and reduce pain. If you don’t have a daily routine of stretching,
start now. Keeping your muscles and joints relaxed and limber will help keep you
more comfortable during an MRI scan. If you experience spasticity or pain, don’t
forget to take your medication. Tell the technician if you need extra supports
under your legs, cushion under pressure points, or other supports to make you
more comfortable. 


Stay calm. It’s understandable to be nervous before and during an MRI scan. Talk
to your doctor if you feel anxious or claustrophobic. Anti-anxiety medication
may help you to relax. If at anytime during the scan you are uncomfortable,
SPEAK UP! Let the technician know what the problem may be so that together you
can find a solution. 


Some people even meditate or fall asleep during an MRI session. 


Keep eyes closed. Looking at the inner surface of the MRI machine right in front
of your face can be disconcerting for some people. I like to keep my eyes closed
so I take out my contacts ahead of time to avoid dry, sticky contacts afterward.
I know people who take a thin handkerchief to lay over their eyes to help them
relax during the MRI. 


Communicate. I’ll stress it one more time. If at anytime you become unduly
uncomfortable — too hot, cold, anxious, need to shift the position of your legs,
etc.— press the button you are given and talk to the technician. If you’d like
your technician to let you know when you’re halfway through, let him know. If
you’ve hung on until the end of a sequence when the MRI machine is quiet and
need to get some good swallows in, just mention it so that the technician can
wait until you’re good and ready to continue. 


(originally published on HealthCentral in 2018)

Posted by Lisa Emrich at 2:55 PM No comments:
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THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020


IMPACT OF COMORBIDITY AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS


Living with one chronic disease, such as multiple sclerosis, can be challenging.
Living with more than one chronic disease can make diagnosis and treatment
difficult. Living with comorbidity can lead to disability, lower quality of
life, delayed diagnosis, increased hospitalization, and increased risk of death
for people living with MS.


Some comorbid conditions may be symptoms of MS, such as depression or anxiety,
but others are unrelated to MS. Common comorbidities in multiple sclerosis
include depression, anxiety, high cholesterol, high blood pressure,
gastrointestinal disease, thyroid disease, and chronic lung disease. The subject
of comorbidity is a personal one as I actively manage three of these
comorbidities in addition to MS.


Mental health and MS


Mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, are more
common in people with MS than in the general population. The prevalence of
depression ranges from 36 to 54 percent in people with MS, according to the
National MS Society, compared to 16 percent in the general population. Anxiety
disorders affect approximately 36 percent with MS while bipolar disorder affects
between 6.5 and 13 percent. These estimates are somewhat higher than what was
found in a 2015 worldwide literature review and significantly higher than
results of a 2018 retrospective analysis of claims data for patients living in
the United States. 


Feelings of anxiety or depression may be symptoms of MS, might signal a relapse,
or might relate to conditions that were diagnosed before MS. No matter the cause
of these symptoms, it is important to discuss what’s going on with your doctors.
Mental health conditions can go undiagnosed or untreated. 


Many neurologists are willing to prescription medication for a mood disorder,
but others may refer you to a specialist instead. I have worked with a licensed
clinical social worker (LCSW) to learn how to deal with various challenges I
face related to mental health while medication prescribed by my neurologist
helps to alleviate symptoms. 


Cardiovascular disease and MS


In the United States, the most common comorbidities in people with MS, based on
claims data from 2006 to 2014, are high cholesterol and high blood pressure
which affect between 26 to 30 percent of people with MS. Researchers found that
claims for high cholesterol and high blood pressure were 39 and 25 percent,
respectively, more likely among male patients compared with female patients with
MS. However this contradicts results from a previous study that found
hypertension, heart failure, and coronary heart disease were significantly less
common in people with MS. 


Treatment of cardiovascular comorbidity is particularly important for people
with MS as researchers have determined that high blood pressure and heart
disease contribute to advanced brain atrophy and vascular comorbidity is
associated with increased risk of disability progression. 


Lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of heart disease. If you smoke, stop.
Exercise and healthy eating can help to control high blood pressure. To lower
cholesterol levels, eat a diet high in fiber, but low in cholesterol, saturated
fat, and refined sugar. Stay active, increase physical activity, and maintain a
healthy weight. If lifestyle changes alone are not enough, your doctor may
prescribe medication to help control risk factors for heart disease.


Gastrointestinal disease and MS


In the US claims study mentioned above, gastrointestinal (GI) disease
comorbidities were found in the claims of 18 to 21 percent of patients with MS.
In general, these diseases were more common among women than men. The
gastrointestinal diseases included were celiac disease, constipation, Crohn’s
disease, diarrhea, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcerative colitis. 


Several of these GI conditions double as symptoms of MS. If you experience any
difficulties with bowel dysfunction, constipation, diarrhea, trouble swallowing,
GERD, or other GI symptoms, please talk to your neurologist. You may be referred
to a gastroenterologist for evaluation. While there is no single MS diet, some
people with MS report that they feel better when they limit sugar and grains
from their diet.


Thyroid disease and MS


Thyroid disease comorbidity was documented in 13 to 17 percent of the medical
records for MS patients in the US claims database study. A prior systematic
review estimated the overall prevalence of thyroid disease comorbidity in MS
patients at 6.44 percent, ranging from 0 percent to 16 percent depending upon
the specific condition. Examples of thyroid diseases included in the analysis
were hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Grave’s
disease. 


Although thyroid disease has been identified as one of the more common
comorbidities in people diagnosed with MS, the prevalence of thyroid disease
prevalence of thyroid disease in people with MS is similar to that of the
general population. Since one MS disease-modifying therapy, Lemtrada
(alemtuzumab), is associated with thyroid disease, periodic thyroid function
tests are required.


Impact of comorbidity on MS


Living with comorbidity, or having more than one health condition to manage,
negatively impacts a person with MS in several ways. It can lead to greater
physical disability and quality of life. The person with MS may have more
symptoms to deal with which can complicate treatment decisions. Increased risk
of death is the ultimate reason to try to reduce comorbidity in people with MS.


What can you do?


If you are coping with MS and one or more additional health conditions, it’s
vitally important to seek proper medical treatment and to make healthy lifestyle
choices. The choices you can make to improve your chances of living well with MS
are very similar to the healthy actions suggested to reduce cardiovascular
disease. 


Healthy steps you can take include:
 * Stay physically active and move your body as you can
 * Stay mentally and socially active as well
 * Stop smoking
 * Limit alcohol consumption
 * Focus on eating proper nutrition
 * Eliminate vitamin deficiencies
 * Maintain a healthy weight
   Stay hydrated
 * Get adequate sleep
 * Reduce stress 
 * Take time for yourself 
 * Seek routine medical care to stay on top of your health

(originally published on HealthCentral.com in 2018)





Posted by Lisa Emrich at 3:59 PM No comments:
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2018


AN INTERVIEW WITH BODY BUILDER DAVID LYONS


Competitive bodybuilding is one way that David Lyons conquers multiple sclerosis
(MS). Diagnosed with MS in 2006, David is motivated to educate and inspire
people living with the disease to focus on fitness and nutrition and to develop
a mindset that anything is possible.



In 2012, with his wife Kendra Lyons, R.N., David founded the MS Fitness
Challenge (MSFC) charity to help bring his message worldwide. David has received
the Milestone Award from the National MS Society, and in 2015, he was presented
the Health Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

He’s also the author of “David’s Goliath: Winning the Battle Against All Odds”
(2013) and “Everyday Health and Fitness with Multiple Sclerosis: Achieve Your
Physical Wellness While Working with Limited Mobility” (2017). He’s working on a
new show called “Pumped: The Muscle Hustle” with Lou Ferrigno.



He spoke with HealthCentral about his experience.

HealthCentral (HC): What were the initial symptoms that led to your diagnosis?

David Lyons: MS caught me off guard in the gym. Initially I experienced severe
pain, numbness, tingling, and lack of coordination in my left arm while working
out. Within a few weeks, the symptoms radiated throughout my body and moved into
my legs. I became bedridden for months during the pre-diagnosis and diagnosis
stage. When I was finally hospitalized, I was almost paralyzed from the chest
down.



HC: What did you most fear when you learned of your diagnosis?


David: After a five-day stay in the hospital, the symptoms were still so severe
that I felt I could not continue as a bodybuilder, or might not step foot in a
gym again. The neurologists said that MS would quickly make me wheelchair bound
due to the tremendous nerve damage I experienced during that initial attack. I
began to fear that would become my reality. Twelve years later and almost 60
years old, I’m still not using a wheelchair.

Read this post in its entirety:

Building Your Fitness Future With MS: An Interview with David Lyons



Posted by Lisa Emrich at 6:14 PM No comments:
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Labels: Exercise, Health Central, Interview, MS Stories, Multiple Sclerosis,
Physical Activity



WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018


HOW TO REDUCE THE PAIN OF INJECTIONS




SELF-INJECTABLE MEDICATIONS


Several of the medications used to treat multiple sclerosis are injectable
drugs. The requirements for storage and administration differ for each drug, but
here are some universal tips that will help reduce the pain of the injections.
Please note that if you have questions or difficulties with a specific drug,
call the drug company’s helpline or ask your own MS nurse for help.



iStock


ROOM TEMPERATURE MEDICATION


Medications which must be kept in the refrigerator for storage are often much
less painful upon injection when at room temperature. Before injecting, remove
one pre-filled syringe from the refrigerator and leave the syringe out for at
least 30 minutes before using. Or alternatively, while still in the wrapper,
hold it in your armpit to bring it to body temperature.


Read this post in its entirety:

7 Tips To Reduce the Pain of Injections



Posted by Lisa Emrich at 6:10 PM No comments:
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Labels: Disease-Modifying Drugs, Health Central, Injections, MS Pain, MS
Treatments, Multiple Sclerosis

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TOP FIVE SIMPLE ACTIONS YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR MS

By Diane Standiford

1. Eat healthy
2. Exercise any part of your body that you can
3. Reach out to people, family, friends, strangers
4. Discover YOU. What makes you laugh? What are your fears? What is fun?
5. Laugh, educate your fears into remission, have fun!




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From Lisa at Brass and Ivory

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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroNpW-PDOLS7ALX3xjZWc0UAk-M1DVUA6TQiNwO4rTxKKykfd_iEqmm8EA-iIEQR-HH7Q4ALsozzEoJrQFBQYm2nV5hv5lDdKBka2yCX9zbzG_Xw1M9KtjP4X54Xa0C_MtSvdwFfUOoM/s144/Carnival.JPG"
/></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px;
text-align:right">From <a href="http://brassandivory.org"><b>Lisa at Brass and
Ivory</b></a></td></tr></table>



THANK YOU, JUDY






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POPULAR POSTS

 * Cavalcade of Risk is Up...and my post regarding Questcor is included!
 * What is L'Hermitte's Sign?
 * "'Socialized Medicine' Quakery" discussed in Washington Post
 * Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
 * Finding Community and Support Through the RA Healthline App
 * RA Healthline: A New App Designed for the RA Community
 * In the Pursuit of Health & Wellness -- Is Alternative Medicine Complementary?
 * What does Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome have to do with MS?
 * An Interview with Body Builder David Lyons
 * 8 Tips For Surviving Your Next MRI




"To know one can live with MS and RA and STILL do all you do---a true
inspiration. You are the glue that holds MSers together in the blog world."
- Diane, A Stellarlife

"[Brass and Ivory] is a pillar of the Multiple Sclerosis blogging community and
gives some wonderful policy info besides as she investigates a very practical
problem, why are medications so @#$%! expensive. She is a great writer and runs
the MS blogging carnival."
- Doc, Mind, Body, and Soul


"Lisa claims to be only a professional musician but I've been in this business
for 35 years and I have to say she has a lot to contribute on the issue of
health care policy."
- Robert Laszewski, Health Policy and Marketplace Review

"Kudos to Lisa Emrich for consistently producing high level analyses of living
with disability."
- Zagreus Ammon, The Physician Executive


"Brass and Ivory is widely regarded as one of the premiere sites not only for
information on MS but, perhaps even more so, as providing tremendous insight on
living with a disability - Lisa is a terrific writer."
- Abel Pharmboy, Terra Sigillata


"Some people are brave, some strong, and sometimes they write well, too. You
might consider this interesting blogger who posts on the hows and whens of
telling other people about not-so-obvious physical problems. I'd say it would
take trust to do that, and guts. Check this one out at Brass and Ivory.
Excellent, excellent post."
- TherapyDoc, Everyone Needs Therapy

"I have come to grow very fond of Lisa. She is very passionate about the topics
she writes about and is not afraid to voice her opinion. This is one tough lady
I am telling you...and Lisa has a kick butt list of all the MS blogs you never
knew existed until now. Her site is full of information and support. So do go
visit. You will be glad you did."
- unnamed






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