Last minute info...

[michelleric]

If anyone is in the Cleveland area, Teva is sponsoring an  MS talk tonight.

  The topic is Existing and Emerging Concepts in MS.

The Neurologist is Larry Dashefsky, M.D.

It is at the Hilton East, in Beachwood OH.

Registration is 5-5:45, and talk starts @ 5:45-8:00.

A "light" dinner is served.



Their next scheduled MS talk is:

MS Treatments and Their Importance to You
4/28/2010 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

25777 Detroit Road
Westlake, OH 44145

The neurologist is Sagarita Natak, M.D.

I have never been to any of these, but I "assume" the only DMD they speak about is Copaxone, since this is sponsored by Teva. I could be wrong, but really I don't have a clue.

Figured I will have been diagnosed 1 year ago on April 10, so I thought I might check some of these talks out.  Have known about them in the past, but never had much interest to go. I think I am getting past the denial stage in all of this, and now "trying" to get to the acceptance stage.

I would love to meet any of you who might be in my area.

Let me know,
Michelle

[Lulu54]

You make me tempted to drive your way 4 days a week!  :-)

Every last one of these meetings I have attended I come away feeling like I have added to my knowledge.  Only at the BioGen one did I feel like I was being pitched their drug (Tysabri) - all the others were great overall presentations and Q&A.  The networking opportunities are good, too.

Did you learn anything worth sharing?  I would love to hear your recap.

hugs, L

[twopack]

You make me wish I had tried to get someone to cover me at work!  Are all the programs on Wednesdays?  That's the one day I work every week cause everyone else already has a weekly obligation that day.

I knew there were some programs available for exercise at through Oak Clinic but I haven't reached outside my bubble yet.  Life seems to be overwhelming me lately.  I'm going to have to make sure I make time for things before time runs out.

A support group is something else that would probably do me a lot of good.  I know the clinic has contacts for that too.

Great report.  Thanks Michelle,
Mary

[michelleric]

I also learned that the study in Italy was discontinued 2 days ago, due to a pt that died from the procedure. The CCSVI study. (I am not sure if I have the title correct).

[michelleric]

This was a wonderful educational evening.  I was so pleasantly surprised. The 1st speaker was a woman who has been DX with MS for about 22 years.  She was very inspirational, and spoke about the benefits of exercise.

The neurologist was ok, and answered any question you had. There was about 85 people there and I learned quite a lot of things.

Yes, I got the "goodies" which was all "shared solutions", but they never spoke about any individual meds.

I met about 5 woman, who I sat with, and coincidentally, 2 live in my town and the others were from the next town over. FATE.

They have all been DX between 6 and 25 years.  I found out about a support group they all attend and was told to come and when.

MARY (twopack) and any other one near us:   I also found out that the Oak Clinic for MS offers free exercise programs to ANYONE with MS. I called today, and sure enough it is true. 4 days a week, they have free strength training programs, yoga and MS swim classes and the Y next door. All free for pts with MS and there caretakers. (like a driver).

I am going...I feel a bit rejuvenated and not so isolated with the whole MS thing. I know I have my forum family here, but to meet people in person who "get it", is really comforting.  

Anyway, that is how it went, and I will definitely be going again. Plus, the "light dinner" was crazy good.  Full course, fancy wedding type of food. (salads, antipasto, chicken Marsala, lasagna, breads, cheesecake taramiso, on and on).  Part of me was a bit unnerved, I felt if they had cheese and crackers instead, they could lower the cost of Copaxone?!  However, I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed the meal :)

Glad I took a venture and tried it...

Michelle

[twopack]

I had to work last night.  Otherwise I would have loved to go and get the chance to meet up.  Did you get there Michelle?  Learn anything you would like to share?  Did you find it worth trying a second dose?

Mary

[Ginosmommy]

Thanks for sending the information, if I had heard of it sooner I could have taken off of work and found a sitter but hubby is working tonight and I have to pick the little man up.

[ashleyPT]

I went to one of these talks once in PA and the speaker didn't actually talk about the drug that was sponsoring it.  They had the drug reps there and all of the free stuff had their name on it, you could talk to people about it if you wanted to.  The speaker though presented research and answered questions not specific to the company.  I enjoyed it a lot.