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Why is it that most women whom are pregnant and have MS are symptom free???
WHY?
Has there been any studies to figure why?
Maybe there is something there, I mean, whats the correlation (sp) maybe they (doctors) could look into it? I dunno, just thinking...
Anyone care to educate me, feel free..

There is probably not just a single answer but among the answers which make sense to me is that the baby is a foreign organism which, unprotected, would be attacked and eliminated by the Mother's immune system. In order to overcome that, scientists recently realized that the placenta throws the immune system off guard with some of the same chemicals which helminth parasites give off to cause our immune system to "chill out".

I'll send a link to the article when I get out of work.
Bob

This is one of his papers Bubba http://tinyurl.com/28czucx and this is one of the news articles that it's release spawned http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/88484.php

There is a study right now underway to inject the 'pregnancy hormone', estriol, as an MS fighting drug. The only problem is it's one of those goofy ass studies where it's coupled with Copaxone. No scientific reason whatsoever to use Copaxone with it except that if it works, you'll have to use both as that's what will be approved under the study protocol. Next up in trial, Avonex and water!! lol.

So it's being looked at, but the results won't be fully about the estriol, but at least it's a start. They just have to figure out how to keep us from lactating!

Loobie wrote:They just have to figure out how to keep us from lactating!

Ugh, I guess that's what they call a "groaner". It's kind of sick to even think about that!

Glad to read in your blog that you're still holding ground!

when I spoke to my OB about CCSVI, he thought it made sense because progesterone is a smooth muscle relaxant (veins are smooth muscles), something about the blood volume increase and possibly the baby requiring extra iron.

Also what Lyon wrote about the immune system powering down as to not reject the fetus, I am sure contributes.

I felt fantastic during both my pregnancies and nursing and was able to do things that I could not do when I was not. Yet there are other women who have not experience those benefits.

There are so many unanswered questions.

Hey Bubba, I'm in Gainesville right now visiting my parents.



Ann

Well, I had stents placed bilaterally, felt great for 3 months, became pregnant and immediately started to feel worse, had a mini-relapse in the 2nd term with extremely low blood pressure which continued well into the 3rd term when I felt the worst ever. Had the baby boy by C-section and have been feeling much better ever since. I strongly dispute the idea that pregnancy is good for MS!!

Lyon wrote:Glad to read in your blog that you're still holding ground!

Thanks man. I've been doing just OK. No better, well still way better than before the procedure, but things have slowed down for sure. My jugulars still look really good, but there's a deal in my (sp?) braciocephalic, but we don't know if that's anything or not. I guess time will tell. I'm going to post in the next day or two. Doin' alright, but not on the upward path I was on. Dissapointing for sure, but I'm still about 1.5 points better on the 'ol EDSS.

alpha-fetoprotein is produced by pregnant women and thought to help a bunch of diseases.


http://www.transgenics.com/

gibbledygook wrote: I strongly dispute the idea that pregnancy is good for MS!!

I never intended for people to think I meant it was a good thing, thats why I said"most women" and not all women.
It just seems to me that I hear alot of positive things (more often than not) about pregnant women and MS.
Bob, Lew, thanks for the info. I knew you two would know!
Joe, good info!
Gator...Florida is sweet this time of year eh?
I just assumed there was some kind of connection that wasn't being looked at.

Loobie wrote:Thanks man. I've been doing just OK. No better, well still way better than before the procedure, but things have slowed down for sure.

I read your blog so that's what I meant. For sure, even if it defies logic, everyone hopes in their heart of hearts that they are going to be the miracle who goes back to pre MS condition but holding ground is better than losing ground and you were losing ground not too long ago.

Holding ground puts you in a better position for the wait for the day when stem cells will be able to be directed at specific areas needing repair.

Lyon wrote: but holding ground is better than losing ground

Amen Brother!

Lyon wrote:Holding ground puts you in a better position for the wait for the day when stem cells will be able to be directed at specific areas needing repair.

That's what I'm hoping for!

I had a major improvement during the pregnancy. It seems that neurology's and gynaecologists works separately most of the time, while they should actually work together.