While I continue to work on my CCSVI articles, I wanted to direct your attention to some real-life examples of what is going on in the field.

The forum on ThisIsMS.com is an amazing virtual meeting place for people with MS who want to discuss what is happening in the treatment and research world in a sophisticated, educated way. Any question that you might have about any MS treatment, approved or experimental, can be answered here.

One very timely and incredibly interesting forum thread is the CCSVI Tracking Project. This is a place where people who have actually received treatment for CCSVI have come to report their results. It is fascinating and allows us to hear from actual patients, rather than try to interpret statistics and separate conjecture from fact.

I will ask that if you go there to read these patient stories that you be respectful of what these people are trying to do, which is collect results in one place. If you have questions or don't understand a term, keep looking at other places in the forum, rather than posting your questions in this thread. Please be respectful of these brave people who are sharing their experiences with us.

That said, here is the link: CCSVI Tracking Project.

I want to say a special thank you to all of the people who have shared their stories on that thread. Anyone else who wants to leave a word for these folks can do so in the comment section of this blog (or in another part of the forum).

I once told my family and select friends that they couldn't go wrong with cash as a gift for me, but if they really wanted to give a personal gift, anything from Tiffany and Co. would be fine, as well. They didn't listen to me.

For the most part, the gifts I receive from the people that know me well are appropriate and nice. Like pretty much everybody, people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have different kinds of tastes, and some gifts match their wishes and some don't.

However, there are certain gifts that are inappropriate for many people with MS. Some things just don't work well for us - they might tire us out or require that we try to do things that we just can't do. They might be a painful reminder of our illness. Some gifts are just plain wrong and tasteless.

I have compiled a list of some of the things that I would never like to see coming my way. Forward this article to friends and family strategically and you, too, can avoid the nightmare of unwrapping a stuffed fish that sings "Don't Worry, Be Happy."

Read the full article here: Gifts NOT to Give People with Multiple Sclerosis

I'll be the first to say that these ideas I am offering come with no guarantee. However, anyone suffering with an attack of trigeminal neuralgia (also known as TN or tic doloreux), is probably desperate for anything that might bring down the raging horrible pain to a dull roar, and some of these things just might do the trick (or at least feel good).

TN is probably the most painful symptom of multiple sclerosis, and my sympathy goes out to anyone who experiences as much as a twinge of this horrible pain.

That said, here are some tips that I have compiled from different sources: Tips for Dealing with Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain

I really like this article about a woman with multiple sclerosis who decided to try a new kind of therapy. For each of 29 days, she gave something to someone. These were not necessarily big things, or things at all. She gave time, she gave thanks, she gave support.

After 29 days of doing this, she felt better. Her MS symptoms were lessened.

Now, for those of you who might scoff and say that this is unscientific, I say, "So what?" I may be a trained scientist, but all of that goes out the window when I feel bad and do something which makes me feel better. Until now, several of my "cures" have involved chocolate, pedicures and early bedtimes with a good book. I know that it feels even better to consciously do something for someone else, and these good feelings can only have positive results.

I think I am going to try the "29-Day Giving Challenge" myself. It is the perfect time of year to do so - the holiday season, when we are supposed to be thinking about others and wishing for peace on earth, but often find ourselves at wit's end, frantically trying to make things perfect.

Here are some of my ideas so far: call some of my in-laws to wish them happy holidays (rather than having my husband relay the message), send a message to someone who is ill to let him know how amazing and inspirational he is to me, dip some pretzels in chocolate and sprinkles to give to my aunt (just because she loves them), read an extra book to my girls even though there are dishes to be washed.

What about you? Any thoughts for the rest of us? Has anyone tried this themselves? Does anyone have any results to report? Write your stories and ideas in the comments section below and let's get those "warm fuzzies" flowing...