Questions and Answers - Recent questions and answers

Answered: What is Avonex and how does it treat multiple sclerosis?

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 08:44:47 +0000

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) is one of the disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is administered as a weekly injection that you can learn to give to yourself. The drug, like other DMTs, is used to prevent MS exacerbations and to prevent disease progression.

Answered: What are assistive devices?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:41:29 +0000

Assistive devices are tools that can make life with multiple sclerosis a little easier. They help you with tasks like walking, dressing, and bathing, and help you use less energy. An occupational or physical therapist can recommend devices that will help you the most and teach you how to use them.

Answered: What are the similarities between multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:39:55 +0000

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are both diseases of the nervous system. They’re not the same, but they do have a lot of similarities.

For example, both MS and GBS are autoimmune diseases, which means they cause your body's immune system to attack its own tissues. They both start when the immune system attacks and damages the layer of insulation that surrounds nerves. Called myelin, this substance also helps nerves transmit information.

Answered: Can cobra venom treat multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:38:45 +0000

Some people believe that cobratoxin found in snake venom can slow down the immune system and improve MS symptoms.

Answered: What specialists can help me diagnose my cognitive difficulties as a result of multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:37:45 +0000

Once you have any health problems fully treated, the next step is usually testing. Your doctor may refer you to a neuropsychologist, speech pathologist, or occupational therapist.

Answered: Can my doctor help me choose a multiple sclerosis treatment?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:35:19 +0000

Your doctor is a good source for information about the different types of treatments. He also can recommend MS support groups and other professionals who can help you.

Answered: Should I mind my mood if I have multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:33:55 +0000

Women with MS have a higher risk of depression during pregnancy and especially right after they give birth. Call your doctor if you start to notice any symptoms, like feeling sad or hopeless. Your ob-gyn may also screen you for depression during a routine prenatal or postpartum visit. Your doctor can help treat your depression symptoms.

Answered: What are the first warning signs of multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:24:51 +0000

The first warning signs of MS can be dramatic -- or so mild that a person doesn't even notice them. They may include fatigue, loss of balance and muscle weakness.

Answered: What are some bathing aids for people with multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:18:56 +0000

Try using the following if you need help bathing:

Tub bench
Hand-held shower head
Grab bars in the shower or tub

Answered: Can deep brain stimulation cure multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:16:10 +0000

No. Electrical stimulation does not cure multiple sclerosis nor prevent the disease from getting worse; instead, it helps to relieve the symptom of tremor related to MS.

Answered: What is job coaching?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:14:05 +0000

Community agencies may offer job coaching for people with severe disabilities. This lets you get help on the job to learn procedures, organize and prioritize tasks, and meet your employer's production standards.

A job coach works closely with you to set up your duties based on your overall strengths and limits.

Answered: Are cognitive problems caused by multiple sclerosis serious?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:11:58 +0000

Often, these problems are mild and don't really interrupt your daily life. It's pretty rare to have severe thinking problems, which affect about 5% to 10% of people with MS.

Answered: What does it mean if I feel weakness just on one side of the body?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:03:50 +0000

Weakness on just one side of the body can be from something mild like a pinched nerve or a serious problem like a stroke. If it happens along with other symptoms, like a drooping face or slurred speech, call 911 right away.

Answered: Is reiki an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:00:52 +0000

This form of energy healing may help boost your body's ability to heal itself. It often includes light touching.

Some people find massage in general can soothe stress and be relaxing, but there are no studies that show Reiki eases MS symptoms. That being said, Reiki is generally safe -- and some research shows that it helps ease pain and anxiety for people who have cancer.

Answered: How is optic neuritis treated?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:59:17 +0000

Optic neuritis often goes away on its own. To help you heal faster, you may get high-dose steroid drugs through an IV. This treatment may also lower your risk of other multiple sclerosis-related problems or delay its start.

Answered: What are some minor risks associated with spinal taps?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:57:56 +0000

Like with most tests, there are a few minor risks:

Call your doctor right away if you notice unusual drainage or pain that gets worse.

About 10% of people get a spinal headache -- one that gets worse when you sit or stand and better when you lie down. If you get one, lie down and drink fluids.
Infection. But the risk is very low.
Sometimes the procedure may pierce a small blood vessel, so blood mixes with the fluid. You may need another spinal tap to get a "clear" sample.

Answered: Do people recover from optic neuritis?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:56:00 +0000

Some people get better in a few weeks, even without treatment. For others, it can take up to a year. A few people never fully regain their sight. Even when other symptoms clear up, they may still have trouble seeing colors or at night.

Answered: How common are vision problems in people with multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:54:40 +0000

Vision problems are pretty common for people with multiple sclerosis. The symptoms usually come and go on their own, but you can talk to your doctor about treatments to protect your eyesight and what you should do if you start to have trouble seeing.

Answered: What questions might the doctor ask to diagnose muscle sclerosis-related spasticity? And what questions should I ask my doctor?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:48:32 +0000

Here are a few questions to expect from your doctor:

And here are a few that you can ask:

Does the condition keep you from doing everyday tasks?
Are you in pain?
Which treatments have you tried, and how well did they work?

How much will the treatment cost?
What are the side effects?
Will the benefits outweigh the risks?

Answered: What are common side effects of medications used to treat multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:46:13 +0000

You might have:

Fatigue, chills, fever, muscle aches, and sweating. To help, take the shot at bedtime. For relief, you can take pain and fever medicines before each shot and in the 24 hours after.
Swelling, redness, and pain where you get the shot. If the spot gets hard, call your doctor. Don’t give yourself another shot there.
You might feel sadness, anxiety, irritability, guilt, confusion, and have a hard time sleeping or eating. Tell your doctor about these symptoms right away.

Answered: How do I determine if drug treatment for multiple sclerosis is right for me?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:25:04 +0000

You and your doctor will decide if and when to begin treatment with medication. When deciding, consider things like side effects, benefits, how often to take your medicine, and how it will be delivered, as well as your personal concerns, priorities, and lifestyle. Most importantly, find a treatment you can use comfortably and consistently. Each pharmaceutical company offers customer support and may also have financial help for some people who don’t have prescription drug coverage.

Answered: How do interferon beta medications treat multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:22:39 +0000

Interferon beta medications can slow down how quickly symptoms get worse and help people have less physical disability over time. There are five types of interferon beta on the market in the U.S., and they're all FDA-approved for relapsing forms of MS.

Answered: Is an MRI safe?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:19:24 +0000

Yes. The MRI exam poses no risk to the average person if doctors use the right safety guidelines. Many people who’ve had heart surgery and people with these medical devices can be safely examined with MRI:

The metals used in these surgeries are not magnetic, and you can go into the MRI machine safely.

Artificial joints
Staples
Many cardiac valve replacements (check with your doctor)
Disconnected medication pumps
Vena cava filters
Brain shunt tubes for hydrocephalus

Answered: How is the drug mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) used off-label to help treat MS?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:17:47 +0000

This drug may cut down on your relapses and slow down the disease. It may raise your chances of getting cancer or an infection. More research is needed to see if it's safe to take long term.

Answered: What makes multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease different?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:16:25 +0000

MS and Parkinson’s have different causes. They usually start to affect you at different ages, too.

MS often affects people between ages 20 and 50, but children get it, too. Parkinson’s usually starts at age 60 or older, but some younger adults get it.

MS is an autoimmune disease. That means your body’s immune system goes haywire for some reason.

In Parkinson’s, certain brain cells start to die off. Your brain makes less and less of a chemical called dopamine that helps control your movement. As your levels dip, you lose more of this control.

Answered: What are treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:14:58 +0000

Steroids like prednisone calm the inflammation that damages your nerves, and disease-modifying treatments slow down MS nerve damage and disability.

Plasma exchange is another therapy your doctor might recommend if steroids don’t work. They'll use a machine to remove the plasma portion of your blood. The plasma gets mixed with a protein solution and put back into your body.

Answered: What do I need to know about stem cells transplant in treating multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:14:16 +0000

These are the only cells in your body with the power to create new types of cells. For example, your blood cells, brain cells, heart muscle, and bone all come from stem cells.

People who need new, healthy cells to fight a disease like cancer often get bone marrow stem cell transplants. This procedure can help rebuild your immune system by producing new blood cells. You might hear your doctor call it:

Stem cell transplant
Bone marrow transplant
HSCT (hematopoietic stem cell transplantation)

Answered: Does multiple sclerosis cause face or head pain?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:09:05 +0000

Pain caused by multiple sclerosis can feel like a terrible toothache, or like a stabbing pain in your eye, cheek, or jaw. It’s not a dental issue. Instead, it’s the result of nerve damage. It happens when your chew, talk, or brush your teeth, and can last from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Answered: How is primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) diagnosed?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:06:56 +0000

It can be hard for doctors to diagnose primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). The disease is complex and is different for everyone who has it. Sometimes people have symptoms for a few years before doctors can tell that their condition is getting worse gradually without flare-ups.

What are the physical warning signs of oncoming stress?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:04:10 +0000

Physical warning signs include:

Stooped posture
Sweaty palms
Fatigue
Weight gain or loss

What is optic neuritis relative to multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 09:03:46 +0000

Optic neuritis is the inflammation of the nerve that connects your eye to your brain. It can cause:

If you notice any of these symptoms, tell your doctor right away. The key to protecting your eyesight is to catch the problem early. Your doctor can treat you with steroids to fight the inflammation in the nerve.

Optic neuritis usually happens to one eye at a time, though it can affect both at once. It’s often the first symptom that someone has multiple sclerosis. About half of people with the condition will have optic neuritis at least once.

That said, it can also happen to people who have other health problems, so it doesn't automatically mean that someone has or will get multiple sclerosis (MS).

Most people with optic neuritis recover fully, sometimes without any treatment.

Pain in the eye
Blurred vision
Graying of vision
Blindness in one eye

What services do assisted living communities provide?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 08:59:59 +0000

The services offered by assisted living communities vary from facility to facility. Services often include:

One to three meals a day
Monitoring of medication
Help with personal care, including dressing and bathing
Housekeeping and laundry
24-hour emergency care Some medical services
Social and recreational activities

What are the side effects of intravenous steroids?

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 08:57:13 +0000

Common side effects from intravenous steroids are:

Long-term side effects of steroids may include:

Steroid use can make you more likely to get osteoporosis, so include more dairy in your diet while on this therapy. And talk with your doctor about calcium supplements with vitamin D.

Stomach irritation
More energy
Rapid heartbeat
Upper-body flushing
Feeling warm or cool
Retaining fluid
Mood changes
Metallic taste
Insomnia
Nausea

Osteoporosis
Stomach ulcers
Cataracts
Weight gain
Acne
Diabetes

Answered: How do evoked potential tests help treat multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:25:07 +0000

As your body experiences light, sound, touch, and other sensations, your brain takes in that information as a series of electrical signals. If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), the disease causes damage to your nerves that may slow down, garble, or stop this activity entirely. Evoked potential tests can help doctors see if this is happening to you.

Answered: How should I train my bladder if I have multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:22:49 +0000

Go to the bathroom on a regular schedule, such as every 2 hours. Do it even if you don't feel like you need to. That way you'll prevent your bladder from filling up too much and overflowing.

If you feel the urge to pee before the full 2 hours are up, try to hold it in for just 5 minutes more by tightening your pelvic floor muscles. Over time, you should be able to have longer and longer periods of time between bathroom visits.

Answered: How are heat-related problems related to multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:11:00 +0000

When you exercise, you may get tired and weak as soon as your body warms. You may also have trouble controlling certain body parts, like your foot or leg, while your body is warmed up. As you rest and cool down, these symptoms are likely to go away.

Answered: When does multiple sclerosis (MS) happen?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:10:32 +0000

Multiple sclerosis happens when your immune system attacks a fatty material called myelin, which wraps around your nerve fibers to protect them. Without this outer shell, your nerves become damaged and scar tissue may form.

Answered: How are muscle spasms related to multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:10:02 +0000

Muscle spasms usually affect the leg muscles. For about 40% of people, they are an early symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). In progressive MS, muscle spasms affect about six in 10 people. You might feel mild stiffness or strong, painful muscle spasms.

Answered: How is sexual trouble related to multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:09:06 +0000

Sexual troubles include vaginal dryness in women and erection problems in men. Both men and women with multiple sclerosis may be less responsive to touch, have a lower sex drive, or have trouble reaching orgasm.

Answered: Does fatigue mean I have multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:08:32 +0000

About 80% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) feel very tired, making it one of the most common symptoms. That said, a number of things can make you feel exhausted, including a sleep disorder, depression, or too little iron in your blood.

MS fatigue tends to be worse than run-of-the-mill sluggishness. You may not have the energy to do even simple things, like cook dinner or take the dog for a walk.

Answered: Does numbness or tingling mean I have multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:08:00 +0000

A lack of feeling or a pins-and-needles sensation can be the first sign of the nerve damage from MS. It usually happens in the face, arms, or legs, and on one side of the body. It also tends to go away on its own.

Numbness and tingling can also come from a lack of blood flow or a pinched nerve, so think first if you slept in a funny position or sat without moving for a long time. Other conditions can lead to nerve damage, too: Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the wrist, while diabetic neuropathy can trigger numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet or hands.

Answered: Could I have multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:07:33 +0000

Many signs of muliple sclerosis (MS) are the same as symptoms of other health problems. So, it’s easy to mistake another issue for MS, which affects less than 1% of Americans.

How can you tell if what you’re feeling is caused by MS or something else? First, keep in mind that most people have the first signs of the disease between the ages of 20 and 40. You can also keep track of your problems: MS symptoms tend to come and go or get worse over time.

It helps to know what else can explain some of the signs you might be feeling.

Answered: How is fatigue related to multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:07:09 +0000

About eight in 10 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) feel very tired. It often comes on in the afternoon and causes weak muscles, slowed thinking, or sleepiness. It's usually not related to the amount of work you do. Some people with MS say they can feel tired even after a good night's sleep.

Answered: When should I see my doctor about multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:06:48 +0000

If you have sudden numbness on one side of your body or trouble seeing or speaking, get medical help right away. These are signs of a life-threatening stroke.

If your symptoms are out of the ordinary for you and last for more than a day, make an appointment to see your doctor. She can talk to you about what you’re feeling and do some tests to see if your issues are because of multiple sclerosis or another health problem.

Answered: What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:06:05 +0000

You get MS when your immune system damages your nerves. That keeps brain from sending right signals through your body. Your nerves also don’t work as they should to help you move and feel. As a result, you may have symptoms like:

Trouble walking
Feeling tired
Muscle weakness or spasms
Blurred or double vision
Numbness and tingling
Sexual problems
Poor bladder or bowel control
Pain
Depression
Problems focusing or remembering

Answered: When do people get multiple sclerosis?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:04:11 +0000

People with multiple sclerosis tend to have their first symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually the symptoms get better, but then come back. Some may come and go, while others linger.

Answered: How is multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosed?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:03:16 +0000

It can be hard to diagnose MS, since its symptoms can be the same as many other nerve disorders. If your doctor thinks you have it, they’ll want you to see a neurologist. The doctor will ask you about your medical history and check you for key signs of nerve damage in your brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.

Answered: What is the outlook for multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:02:41 +0000

Research has given doctors more treatment options for the condition, a better idea of what causes it, and the ability to diagnose it earlier. Stem-cell and genetic research may soon help doctors repair damaged nerves or stop the disease before it causes damage.

Scientists are also looking for new ways to treat multiple sclerosis in clinical trials. These trials test new drugs to see if they're safe and if they work. They're often a way for people to try new medicine that isn’t available to everyone. Ask your doctor if one of these trials might be a good fit for you.

Answered: When do symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) begin?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:02:04 +0000

The first symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) often start between ages 20 and 40. Most people with MS have attacks, also called relapses, when the condition gets noticeably worse. They’re usually followed by times of recovery when symptoms improve. For other people, the disease continues to worsen over time.

Answered: Can people with multiple sclerosis get seizures or breathing problems?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 07:00:04 +0000

Very rarely, people with multiple sclerosis may have breathing problems or seizures.