Is a new drug called Plavitron in testing in the UK?  Absolutely not! 

According to an article that was posted in the Daily Mail newspaper in the UK, there is a popular show in the UK called The Bill.  On this show, they made up a drug called Plavitron that was supposedly in testing to alleviate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.  As a result of that, the MS Society in the UK has fielded numerous calls looking for information about this "new drug" that is in testing.  Unfortunately, there is no such drug.  It's just television fiction.

As for my opinion, I have to side with the MS Society's position that it was irresponsible for the show to make up a drug like that.  Multiple Sclerosis is a serious matter for all of us who suffer from MS.  The producers of The Bill could have at least referred to a REAL drug that is in trials.  This kind of thing is just irresponsible.  It gets the hopes up for people who have MS.

Anyway, the article I'm referring to is here on the Daily Mail website.

What do you think?  Is this irresponsible? 

- Vince

I found this to be a very interesting and pertinent article on the subject of [tag-self]exercise and multiple sclerosis[/tag-self]. When you are in a wheelchair, because of your multiple sclerosis or other reasons, it is very important that you make efforts to exercise and keep your body as fit as possible. As described in this article, there are exercises that you can do, in your wheelchair to make daily life and even travel more comfortable. These exercises can be either resistance training or strength training and you will find more information in the article below. - Vince

Sitting in a wheelchair for long periods of time can cause annoying restlessness and be quite uncomfortable for those persons who are disabled. It’s important to keep the body moving and make exercise in your wheelchair a daily part of your fitness program, regardless of your disability.

Wheelchair exercise will help increase strength, flexibility, improve mobility, strengthen the heart and lungs, and help control weight.

Before any exercise session, it’s always a good idea to warm up, stretch and cool down for about ten minutes before and after workouts. Start slowly and work up to more weight and then to more challenging exercises. An upper body workout would include exercises for the arms, torso, neck, and shoulders.

Everyone, depending on the disability, has a unique situation, so consult with your doctor first to determine which exercises are better for you.

There are two basic types of wheelchair exercise that will be important to know for your workout — resistance training and strength training.

The first type of wheelchair exercise is resistance training. It uses large, stretchy rubber bands called resistance bands. Wrap the bands securely around a door, pole, arm of your wheelchair, or other stable object. Now pull the bands towards you or away from you to work your muscles. You can use the bands to do arm and leg extensions, shoulder rotations and pull downs.

The second type of wheelchair exercise is strength training. This is done by lifting free weights or dumbbells. If you don’t have free weights or dumbbells you can use cans of food. Look around. Weigh them if you can. Start with 1-2 pound weights and work up slowly Lift while you are watching TV if you like.

The benefits of strength training include the ability to perform daily activities, like pushing wheelchairs, carrying items and transferring. Many wheelchair users have an inefficient ‘push’ and strengthening the muscles involved will greatly help.

If resistance training or strength training is impossible for some reason or if you would like to supplement it, get a video or DVD that is especially for keeping fit and exercising while one is in a sitting position.

Remember to always keep a positive attitude. Use discipline to get into a regular exercise and fitness program you’ve created for yourself and continue to do it. Set goals and rewards for yourself. Don’t do anything you know you shouldn’t. Start slowly. Keep your eye on the end result. A good fitness and wheelchair exercise program, regardless of the disability, can significantly improve your health and increase mobility for you and others who are disabled.

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For more information on wheelchair exercise and travel tips, see Helen Hecker R.N.’s http://www.AllAboutDisabledTravel.com which specializes in travel, transportation, exercise, sports, recreation with tips, help, advice and resources including information on keeping fit while you sit DVD

As denial had deceived me, I was slow to accept Multiple Sclerosis. Who, after all, would embrace a diagnosis of the dread disease, of no known cause, for which there is no cure?

I feel that denial has been one of my most insidious adversaries. Acceptance of a dreaded disease diagnosis, as in my case MS, has been a bitter battle.

If I severely severed my finger, I could deny that I had cut myself all that I wanted too, but I would still have to get the bleeding stopped.

If someone told me that I had halitosis, I could get mad at the bad-news bearer, but it might be wiser to go brush my teeth.

Mind over matter will not work here. Like the blind man with a bazooka, it will not matter how strong my resolve if I don’t see or identify my immediate enemy.

By denying that I do have a problem, I even limit my Lord’s ability to heal me. Rather, He accomplishes this by fueling my faith, utilizing resources within my own mind, leading me to collective wisdom of the more learned, or manifesting my healing via a miraculous recovery. The lepers whom the Lord healed didn’t try to deny that they had leprosy. A blind man was asked, “What do you want?”

I have a better promise of finding a satisfactory solution by acknowledging that I do indeed have a particular problem. If, like an Ostrich, I bury my head beneath the sand, my butt will still be hanging out.

I’m learning that to overcome a personal predicament, recognition of its reality is the first step toward disarming the enemy. (TEV) Proverbs 22:3 Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later.

Dr’s say I have Multiple Sclerosis. This diagnosis is confirmed by their tests and my own body’s developing symptoms. Okay, I can submit to that part. But conventional medicine doesn’t know the cause, or have a cure, so I had better find one, or learn how to live with it. This is not an act of giving up. It is a Declaration-of-War!

Now, this is a different kind of war than I’ve ever before waged. There is a lot at stake here. Not only my own life, but the lives of my loved ones, and even our personal freedoms are at risk.

Recognizing that this unauthorized challenger is bigger than I am, I’ll just have to grow. I’ll rally an army made up of angels, those who love and believe in me, and those who still want to. Although I lack the financial strength and physical stamina that I may have once had, we will whip this foe together.

Certain war-time principles apply. The first thing I must remember is not to abuse my allies or trample my own troops. By the very nature of my disease, and new limitations, we all suffer increased anxiety. I’d better be asking myself, “What can I do to alleviate some stress for them?”

When those who want to support me watch me wobbling on a cane, it doesn’t instill much confidence in my sound judgment. I’m not fooling the people who know me, and frightening the poor people who don’t. Total strangers even take on stress.

Claiming that I am not disabled casts doubt upon my good sense. Maybe, using a 4-wheeled walker, with a solid seat, would reflect better judgment and make us all more secure? (ASV) Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Russ Miles is author of the novel, For Sale By Owners:FSBO. A “Seasoned” Real Estate NAR® Broker, he is “Disabled” by Multiple Sclerosis, FOR SALE BY OWNERS:FSBO ISBN 0-595-28703-4,in trade paperback, is available by phone or Internet:1-800-Authors to order direct! Very HOT–LINK Adobe e-book & hard cover editions also available at Amazon.com at Barnes and Noble and other fine booksellers. For personal referrals to his publisher or comments, reach Russ at (360)694-6756. Or by e-mail MilesRuss@Gmail.com

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