Anxiety, Depression & Multiple Sclerosis
MS Living Well: Key Info from Multiple Sclerosis Experts
Release Date: 03/09/2021
Uncommon Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
MS Living Well: Key Info from Multiple Sclerosis Experts
Awareness of the more uncommon multiple sclerosis symptoms can lead to an earlier diagnosis and appropriate treatment. For instance, experiencing electrical shock sensations when bending the neck forward, known as Lhermitte’s sign, may indicate an attack on the cervical spinal cord. Likewise, excruciating bolts of pain across either side of the face, called trigeminal neuralgia, can be caused by a MS relapse. The MS hug, an unfriendly, squeezing sensation around the torso, can respond to muscle relaxants and nerve pain medications. Some MS symptoms, like tingling in legs, only surface when...
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Harnessing AI: Transforming MS Care
MS Living Well: Key Info from Multiple Sclerosis Experts
Prepare to be intrigued by the groundbreaking intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and multiple sclerosis care! By combing through extensive databases, including genetic information and real patient records, AI can forecast with remarkable accuracy the likelihood of MS onset. In the near future, AI could even serve as a guiding light for clinicians and MS patients in selecting the most suitable disease-modifying therapies, armed with predictive algorithms tailored for each individual. But the marvels of AI don’t stop there. In a recent study, AI detected an astonishing 93% of new and...
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Navigating MS with Other Medical Conditions
MS Living Well: Key Info from Multiple Sclerosis Experts
Living with multiple sclerosis isn't just about managing the condition itself, but often involves navigating a myriad of additional health concerns known as comorbidities. Individuals with MS face a higher risk of experiencing new relapses when dealing with comorbidities like high cholesterol or depression. Furthermore, autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are more prevalent among those with MS. There is even a heightened risk of bladder cancer. Interaction of MS treatments and other common conditions like high...
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Hormones and Multiple Sclerosis
MS Living Well: Key Info from Multiple Sclerosis Experts
Sex hormones, such as estrogens and testosterone, affect each individual's journey living with multiple sclerosis. While both genders face equal MS risk before puberty and after menopause, women experience up to three times higher risk during their reproductive years. Pregnancy generally brings less relapses, potentially attributed to high estriol levels. However, navigating treatment decisions well while trying to conceive and after delivery requires finesse and expertise. Equip yourself with the latest women's health info regarding MS, covering topics from birth control and fertility...
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Revolutionizing Multiple Sclerosis Care: B-Cell Therapy
MS Living Well: Key Info from Multiple Sclerosis Experts
In a paradigm-shifting discovery, researchers uncovered that B cells, not T cells, wield significant influence on orchestrating neurological damage in MS. Join UCSF Professor Dr. Stephen Hauser as he shares the remarkable odyssey from hurdles to triumphs of developing B cell monoclonal antibody treatment for multiple sclerosis. Disease impact, safety concerns and personalization of MS treatment of these medications including Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), Kesimpta (ofatumumab) and Briumvi (ublituximab) are highlighted. Brain-penetrant BTK inhibitor therapies that may offer more direct...
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Recipe for Resilience: The Blind Cook and NMOSD
MS Living Well: Key Info from Multiple Sclerosis Experts
Christine Ha, an award-winning blind chef and restauranteur, shares her experience grappling with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Facing relapses with the inability to walk and feed herself that challenged her independence, she leaned on the support from family and friends. As she lost her sight due to optic neuritis in both eyes, Ms. Ha had to embark on a journey of rediscovery in the kitchen, starting with the fundamentals. Winning MasterChef Season 3 marked a turning point, propelling her culinary career forward despite the obstacles posed by her disability. NMOSD is...
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Making Strides: Enhancing MS Mobility
MS Living Well: Key Info from Multiple Sclerosis Experts
Wherever you are on your multiple sclerosis journey, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of mobility. Our experts, both holding doctorates in physical therapy, offer invaluable guidance on enhancing your walking abilities through targeted exercise and specialized therapy. Learn how to reduce the risk of falls, alleviate spasticity, and build endurance for a more active life. Cutting-edge technology, from wearable electrical stimulation devices to incredible exoskeletons, are revolutionizing mobility for those living with MS. Discover how neuromodulation, in conjunction...
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MS Care Equity: Empowering Underserved Communities
MS Living Well: Key Info from Multiple Sclerosis Experts
Health equity represents the pursuit of the highest level of well-being for all individuals, ensuring that every person, regardless of their background, enjoys a fair and just opportunity to achieve their optimal health. Disparities exist within the multiple sclerosis community. It's a stark reality that Black individuals with MS face an increased risk of disability, while Black women are disproportionately affected by this condition compared to their White counterparts based on a Kaiser study. Additionally, Hispanic patients often contend with an earlier onset of MS, occurring 3-5 years...
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Bridging MS: Connecting You to Resources
MS Living Well: Key Info from Multiple Sclerosis Experts
Navigating life with multiple sclerosis? Gain valuable insights from MS insiders! Stanford nurse practitioner Jong-Mi Lee reveals strategies for accessing MS centers and maximizing available resources. Acquire valuable tips on various topics including overcoming mobility challenges, managing workplace issues, and receiving quality care despite insurance obstacles. Many inspiring and resilient individuals living with MS actively share their perspectives on social media platforms within the MS community. Dominic Shadbolt, a renowned UK MS patient advocate and founder of The MS Guide, highlights...
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MRI in MS: From Pixels to Progress
MS Living Well: Key Info from Multiple Sclerosis Experts
Step into the powerful realm of MRI imaging, providing us with an unparalleled view of multiple sclerosis. Discover how acute inflammation becomes vivid with contrast, and how various MRI sequences unveil the past battles fought within your brain and spinal cord. We'll explore advances in techniques, revealing brain shrinkage, gray matter disease and myelin repair. Understand the impact of MS on brain processing efficiency during rest and specific tasks through functional MRI imaging. Crucial questions regarding where and how often to get MRI scans are addressed. Latest guidance on avoiding...
info_outlineTherapy options explored including meditation (including mindfulness), stress reduction, cognitive behavioral therapy and virtual platforms. Prescription medication options for both anxiety and depression covered including benefits and risks including dependence. Experts share resources and hope for those living with MS with severe depression including suicidal thoughts.
Barry Singer MD, Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care, interviews:
Amy Sullivan PsyD, ABPP is a board-certified, staff clinical health psychologist and the Director of Behavioral Medicine at the Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Sullivan received her doctorate degree at Argosy University-Atlanta, her internship at the University of Cincinnati, and her fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in Pain Medicine. She is also the principal investigator for several clinical trials at the Mellen Center, where her research interests are focused on MS, pain, exercise and behavioral medicine.
Adam Kaplin MD PhD is the Chief Scientific Officer of MyMD Pharmaceuticals Inc. since December 2020. He completed his undergraduate degree from Yale University, graduating magna cum laude, and obtained both his MD and PhD degrees at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Kaplin complete his residency in psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he served as the chief resident of psychiatry. He served as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at John Hopkins and the principal psychiatric consultant to the John Hopkins MS Center. He remains as adjunct faculty at John Hopkins.
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