When my wife was diagnosed with MS in 1997, the annual cost of her MS medication was $9,000. Today, the annual cost of that same medication is $110,000.

We cannot allow the insanity associated with the cost of MS medications to continue.

Joining me to discuss the impact of the outrageously high cost of MS medications -- and what each of us can do about it -- is the National MS Society's Vice-President of Advocacy, Steffany Stern.

We're also talking about a Phase 1 clinical trial for an investigational Epstein-Barr Virus vaccine (and why that matters to everyone living with MS).

We'll tell you about a study that may have identified a biomarker for MS-related fatigue.

We're also sharing the results of a study that identified which stress-reducing activities can help reduce MS-related depression and fatigue.

And we'll tell you about a study that identified the economic benefits of starting MS medications early.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

The (HIGH!) Cost of MS Medications   :22

NIH Announces Phase I Clinical Trial of Investigational EBV Vaccine 4:21

Study identifies a potential biomarker for MS fatigue  6:04

Study identifies stress-reducing activities that lower MS-related depression and fatigue    8:37

Study shows the economic benefits of starting MS medications early  11:25

Steffany Stern discusses the impact of the cost of MS medications   14:16

Share this episode  32:10

Download the RealTalk MS app for your iOS or Android device   32:30

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LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

National MS Society COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for People Living with MS https://www.nationalmssociety.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information/multiple-sclerosis-and-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-guidance

National MS Society: You Can Help Bring MS Medications Into Reach https://nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Medications/Make-MS-Medications-Accessible/Take-Action

RealTalk MS Ep.229: Evidence Shows MS Is Triggered by the Epstein-Barr Virus with Dr. Kassandra Munger and Dr. AJ Joshi https://realtalkms.com/229

RealTalk MS Episode 231: Evidence Shows EBV Triggers MS: Understanding this Breakthrough Research with Dr. Bruce Bebo https://realtalkms.com/231

Cerebrospinal Fluid Amyloid Precursor Protein as a Potential Biomarker for Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211034822003583

SURVEY: Undertaking Specific Stress-Reducing Activities are Associated with Reduced Fatigue and Depression, And Increased Mastery, in People with Multiple Sclerosis https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211034822003169

Early vs Late Treatment Initiation in Multiple Sclerosis and Its Impact on Cost of Illness: A Register-Based Prospective Cohort Study in Sweden https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35496759

iConquer MS Survey for MS Caregivers https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6823942/Caregiver-Survey-MS-Caregivers

iConquer MS Survey for Researchers and Healthcare Providers https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6823815/Caregiver-research-survey-HCPs-and-researchers

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

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RealTalk MS Episode 246 Guests: Steffany Stern

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, RealTalkMS

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