If you were rich would u do anything different?

[SuzE-Q]

Just wonderin... if you had all the money in the world, would you change anything about your treatment/care?

Is there some treatment you'd pursue or go to some foreign doc or something, try something different because you could now afford to lose money and it wouldn't make any difference, on the off chance that maybe something offbeat might actually help?

Is there anything out there or a special doc that you've heard of that you might "give it a chance" if you had all the $$$ in the world?

[Mariel]

You must be kidding, SuzE-Q. There are so many helpful things I'd do and try that I can hardly list them.

I'd go back to "body work," for one thing. Acupuncture or Jin Shin or Touch for Health.

I could stop worrying about my supplements or food costing too much, or inflation coming. I could relax.

I'd buy a van which could take Irv's wheelchair so I wouldn't have to use the chairlift, and I could take him on trips easier.

I'd buy a house in Seattle near better doctors. I could afford a flat house for Irv which was relatively non-toxic and in as clean an environment as I could find for me.

I'd give away secretly some money to other patients I know who really need it. Like one in Australia who goes to bed early because it's cold there and she can't afford more than two hours of heat. I'd also send her money to hire a gardener.

I'd feel easy about paying the handyman to mow my yard.

I'd give money to the Swank Foundation, if it still exists, to continue research into MS.

Well, I could go on.

[elizabeth]

I don't think my MS care would change much, but my MS life might be simpler if only because my stress level would decline when bill paying wasn't the huge stress it is now!

Truly, the worst thing is having to cope with the financial disasters that MS has dealt us... the stress is awful. I hate all the physical problems, for sure, but I don't think all the money in the world would make any big difference in my medical care or treatment options/results.

??? :confused:

[JAVISI]

SuzEQ,
I went to the Mayo Clinic. I had insurance but am far from rich. I could tell the differnce in my care as opposed to the care of the poeple who were rich. *fear They received more time with the Dr's as opposed to me! It is ad but true. If I had all the money in the world I not go back there. I would go to the different countries that are doing research on ataxia type disorders *world but I would give freely money to the so many people that can not afford or are not receiving the care that poeple with money and have insurance do!:(

It is sad how money can play such a great role in your care. I would be able to take some meds that I have refused due to the high costs! I don't think that will ever change.*cent

I could go on but my eyes are acting up!

Dreaming Big and reaching for the Stars Javi, PS I WOULD DONATE A LOT OF MONEY TO THIS SITE THAT HAS BEEN OF GREAT VALUE TO ME!*cg07

[0357]

I would buy a 3 bedroom home with a small yard; nothing large--go all green. After that I would give some money to 3 brothers in the family and send my parents on a trip of their choice. I would do some home repairs/improvements for my MIL; first that comes to mind is new carpet and large window blinds.

Then I would give to the town's ambulance/fire department...our counties food bank and our local food bank. The Lion's Club puts too puts together food baskets and toys for the not so rich here in town at Christmas and I would donate money for that. Donate money for stem cell research.

Not sure which, but I would donate money for some environmental cause...

We would pay for our son's college. Buy him a used, fuel efficient car.

Invest money and go about our quiet life. I would fly to see my brothers and their kids in FL and AZ. Go see Niagara Falls... Maybe move way north in Canada.

[Cat Dancer]

My direct medical care is sufficient for now. But if I had the money, I'd buy a wheelchair accessible van, and power chair, so I could increase my ability to be out and about. And I'd consider one of those power chairs that climbs steps. Awesome!

Otherwise money doesn't bring an MS cure, but as someone already said, it can bring a peace of mind that you're not struggling to pay for your meds, or doing without other things just to be able to buy the meds.

And no, I wouldn't go out and seek out unproven quack cures just because someone said how much they "worked". I'm totally opposed to the school of thought that goes something like, "Doctor X has this magic cure for (name your disease here) and can't market it because the FDA won't let him but if you send a gazzillion dollars (or fly half-way across the world to his special clinic and spend a gazzillion dollars), you TOO can be cured!" nonsense.

[lady_express_44]

It's my personal experience that money does not buy happiness. I have been both rich and poor, and prefer poor. It would be nice if there was a happy medium though. :)

If I was rich, and the money was just handed to me on a silver platter, ie. not "old" money, or I didn't have to earn it (don't like the politics that goes along with "earning" big money), I'd hire myself some help so that I could spend more time on improving my overall health. I'd hire a personal shopper, cooks to prepare healthy meals, cleaners, a chauffeur, a fitness trainer, a personal PT . . . I'd spend my time getting as healthy as I could.

I'd start up and pay for a full-fledged LDN trial. I'd organize independant trials on the CRABs.

I'd buy influence to make sure the research into MS was going in a legitimate direction. I'd hire the best researchers, and have them track down every lead about the history of MS. I want to know why it has become so prevalent since the mid-1800's. I want to know exactly how many people have it, and where they lived when they got it.

I think "they" would have me snuffed out quickly. :p

Cherie

[Grassman]

HYad I a ton o' money?

I would have a bed on the plane so I could fly to NYC and see Renee.....and party with her.

Then we would fly to Morocco with our friends and family.

Then have peanutbutter and bananna sandwiches flown in A.K.A Elvis now thats having money.

I would promote the legalization of all drugs....even heroin.

If your addicted to a drug then you get it perscribed by a doctor along with "Brainwashing " cause if your addicted to drugs you need a new brain.

If you all want to make me one of the richest men in the world ok....I could handle that.

wait Cherie did you say 7 billion dollars to MS reasearch?

And they found zip?

I would like to see sexual predators beheaded on late night television...I think a 1000 dolar fine for notbwearing your seatbelt....drunk drivers have to see the reasonswhy you dont drink and drive.

Peace and may the force of common sense be with you all.




Below is me winning the pulitzer prize for bowling a perfect game at "Bobs Bowlarama" Bobs the short guy.

[SuzE-Q]

I asked about the treatments or doctors etc because I have had someone essentially offer to be my "benefactor". They've told me that if there was some medical help I needed or wanted to pursue that I couldn't afford to access now, they'd be happy to cover it for me, or if there was some treatment that wasn't ordinarily covered that I needed or wanted to try, they would cover it. I couldn't think of anything (maybe that goat serum in England?????????) so I thought I'd ask all of you if there is anything you'd access if money was no object.

I do like the rest of your ideas though. I also like the idea of a "green" house. But I think the offer that I got was limited to doctors or healthcare or treatments.

[xo++]

Hi SuzE-Q,

That depends on your MS category. If you live in the US, are relapsing-remitting, and are covered by insurance, all the proven therapies offered by modern medicine should already be available to you.

If you are primary progressive -- or are secondary progressive and nothing has worked -- then with unlimited funds you might pursue a compassionate use exemption for certain drugs in Phase II or Phase III trials -- like MBP8298 or Fingolimod/FTY720. Or else simply try to enroll in one of these trials (which might require significant travel expenses, depending on where you live). Many of the current trials give you a 2 out of 3 chance of getting the therapy instead of placebo.

Several other legitimate healthcare expenses which the less-than-wealthy sometimes find unaffordable: ongoing physical therapy, someone to assist you, and mobility aids.

Mark

[BBS1951]

I would buy a gorgeous intelligent young man whose sole job would be to visit me and flirt with me :)

That would probably create such a glow that I'd feel better no matter how bad the MS is :)

[Maine/Boston]

BB,

You stole my choice. It is a nice wish to think of what you could do with a whole lot of endless cash. ........................

[ewizabeth]

If I were rich, I'd quit working and I think I could probably cut out about half of my symptom meds, plus cut down on my BP meds as well.

I'm working now to save for retirement, since I was a stay at home Mom, I need to build up retirement savings as well as social security allowance for when the time comes.

I hope to live to a ripe old age and I'll have enough to stay alive with healthcare and other life necessities.

[linders]

Mental health wise, the gorgeous hunk guy sounds like a good idea. I'd also want to have a salon/spa built into a wing of my house with an on call hair stylist and massuse. Oh, and a cook who would cook fabulously healthy meals around the clock. :D

Health wise, I was going to mention a personal trainer, but another thing that I do have because of my wonderful husband, is a 70 ft. long salt water lap pool in my bakcyard. I'm not sure where you live, but for me having that at my beckon call has sure helped to not only improve my mental health, but physical health as well. I'm now swimming 1/2 mile with my waterproof ipod 3x's a week.

My husband, who is both an architect and general contractor, put the pool in our backyard after I found a vinyl pool site on the internet. I showed it to him and said, "Look Honey, it says right here that it can be built in just 18 easy steps! 19 months later, along with a winter of *******ial rains like never before, I have my dream exercise machine in my backyard. And yes, we're still married!

[renee]

Oh yes, yes, yes.
And I'd spend time in some nice spas, too.

[fahrmar]

If I were rich, I would pay out of pocket for a 3T mri, there's only one in this state and unavailable because I can't get a referral.

I'd have a lap pool built... I was a swimmer as a kid.

Definitely hire help cooking and cleaning... and a chef, not just someone heating a can of soup.

I'd hire lobbyists to swarm Congress and the FDA to get serious, especially about LDN.

I'd go to Europe and see Michelangelo's David.

[SalpalSally]

I'd open up a Hotel/Motel/Spa for all PwMS....but expecially those who live alone and have little money.

There would be all the amenities for great comfort and well being.....Cooks, Maids, Chauffers, swimming pools w/ pool Boys/Girls, of course;)...., healthymeals prepared to order and entertainment for our joy.

There would be an in house healthcare facility, like no other dreary place. It will have a Doctor and nursing staff. They will wait on us hand and foot and do everything to keep us healthy, happy and content.

There will be no cost to anyone. The rich may donate, but all my money will take care of the costs.

[renee]

Let me expound on my answer.
In addition to other therapies to improve health and make me FEEL better I would design (I already have) my green dream crip house. I would have as much Trustworthy help as I wanted including, cooking, cleaning.
And pay them very well. YES.

And I would get some rabid do-good lawyers to sue my city/town for corrections of the many insulting violations against its elderly/disabled residents. I'd sink some big dollars into effective advocacy for the disabled in the immediate region and more dollars toward state level lobbying for those who are least able to represent themselves.

I would bring shame and unemployment to those responsible for unnecessary stress and suffering.

I would be a flaming pain in the butt to lawmakers and bureaucrats who ignore their responsibility to the down and out, tired and sick.

And I'd charter a plane for Grass and a other likeminded bon vivants to come hang. Limos for outings.
Swimming and BBQ. Lots of good looking lifeguards and great cooks.
All friendly dogs welcome.
Downtime whenever.

Peace and happiness y'all.