Feeling “irregular” on the regular? Constipation is a common issue for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting as many as 40% of patients. Over 15,000 MS members on PatientsLikeMe report experiencing bowel problems and of those, about 47% have reported it as “moderate” or “severe” – take a look here. With help from our team of… Continue reading MS constipation blues? See 12+ treatment options
Category: Conditions
Living with a health condition? On the PatientsLikeMe blog, find helpful health information and patient stories about being diagnosed, trying different treatments, and living day-to-day with a chronic condition.
Let’s talk: Parkinson’s disease, speech changes + communication issues
Parkinson’s disease can cause your voice to become raspy, quiet or unsteady, and motor symptoms can make writing and typing more difficult. Have you experienced communication issues like these? See what others have tried — from Lee Silverman Voice Treatment and voice-activated “smart” devices to (drumroll please…) singing classes. How PD can impact communication Parkinson’s… Continue reading Let’s talk: Parkinson’s disease, speech changes + communication issues
What’s New In Lupus Research & Treatments?
Keeping tabs on the latest info about lupus research is no easy task. So we’ve boiled down some highlights and trends in the world of lupus research and drug development — take a peek. Rising areas of research Stem cells – Initial studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) — a type of stem cell that lives in bone marrow, umbilical… Continue reading What’s New In Lupus Research & Treatments?
Epidiolex: First FDA-approved drug made from cannabis component (CBD)
In a historic move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Epidiolex — an epilepsy medication made from purified cannabidiol (CBD), found in cannabis. Read all about it and what it could mean for the future of cannabis-based treatments. As background, see these other recent write-ups we’ve done on medical cannabis/marijuana and CBD. What is Epidiolex?… Continue reading Epidiolex: First FDA-approved drug made from cannabis component (CBD)
Zoodles! Let’s dish on lupus/food + swap recipes
If you’re living with lupus, have you found any particular foods that affect you and your condition — for better or worse? Member Jeanette (JeanetteA6872), a member of the 2018 Team of Advisors who’s living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), shares which ingredients she tries to include or avoid in her diet, plus three of her favorite… Continue reading Zoodles! Let’s dish on lupus/food + swap recipes
It’s Self-Care Day! 7 “pillars” for taking care of you
Today is International Self-Care Day. There’s even a Senate resolution designating July 24 as a day to recognize the importance of self-care in the U.S. (it’s on 7/24 because, ideally, it should be a focus 24/7 for everyone). Has your self-care — from diet and hydration to hygiene and hobbies — been slipping because of competing priorities? Bring… Continue reading It’s Self-Care Day! 7 “pillars” for taking care of you
Staying mobile with assistive walking devices: Member Cathy weighs in
Do you have difficulty walking or getting around? Have you considered using a wheelchair, walker or cane? Making the decision to use a walking or mobility aid can be difficult. You’re not alone. Here, PatientsLikeMe member Cathy living with multiple sclerosis shares about how she overcame the fear of losing her independence and how using a cane is… Continue reading Staying mobile with assistive walking devices: Member Cathy weighs in
“Chemo brain”: 3 surprising findings from recent research
“Chemo brain” — the term for cognitive problems associated with chemotherapy treatment — appears to be very common, but doctors only started paying attention to it in the late 1990s. A 2012 study that finally helped elevate chemo brain as a serious and widespread issue estimated that up to 75% of breast cancer survivors experience “cognitive deficits—problems with… Continue reading “Chemo brain”: 3 surprising findings from recent research
2018 National ALS Advocacy Conference: A recap from Team of Advisors members Rich & Paul
Last month, Rich and Paul from this year’s Team of Advisors attended the 2018 National ALS Advocacy Conference in Washington D.C. to learn about the latest ALS research, network, and meet with members of congress on Capitol Hill. Just over 600 people attended the event, including 100+ pALS and 240 first-time participants. The event started on Sunday with opening remarks followed… Continue reading 2018 National ALS Advocacy Conference: A recap from Team of Advisors members Rich & Paul
Key takeaways from a recent study on antidepressants
The World Health Organization reports 300 million people live with depression, but less than half receive effective treatment. A recent study in the journal The Lancet has been making headlines for comparing the effectiveness of antidepressant medications — information that is often lacking for patients trying to make informed choices about their treatments. They found that all of the… Continue reading Key takeaways from a recent study on antidepressants