Multiple sclerosis experts share advice on how to substantially improve your care when interacting with your neurologist. Key insights to develop trust and understanding with your doctor reviewed. Compelling info to help you advocate and communicate your goals and needs. Specific ways to make the most of your appointments addressed. Difficult questions are tackled such as progressive disease and long-term planning. Managing MS symptoms and wellness highlighted. Benefits of reviewing MRI images in the exam room outlined. Excellent tips on how to access free medication and MRI programs for people who are uninsured or have high out-of-pocket costs.

Barry Singer MD, Director of The MS Center of Innovations in Care at Missouri Baptist Medical Center interviews:

Flavia Nelson MD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Director Multiple Sclerosis Division at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. She completed her residency and multiple sclerosis fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Nelson has served as Chair of the Department of Defense Panel for Multiple Sclerosis Research Program, committee member on Consortium of MS Centers MRI Guidelines Committee and Chair of International Advisory Board on Brain Atrophy and MS (2016).

Timothy West MD, MS Neurologist, Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dr. West completed medical school at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) and fulfilled his residency in neurology at UCSF. He has had extensive experience and research in the area of MS, including at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Nevada, the Sansum Clinic in California, and the UCSF MS Center in California.

Visit: mslivingwell.org & ICanWithMS.org

Multiple sclerosis often causes nerve pain with burning and pins-needles sensations, and spasticity associated with muscle tightness and cramping. The specific role of medical marijuana components including THC and CBD in MS in alleviating these MS symptoms addressed. Information regarding which MS patients are more likely to benefit from cannabis are reviewed in depth. Risks and concerns of cannabis use in MS addressed. All federal, state and local laws should always be followed.

Barry Singer, MD, Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care, interviews:

Allen Bowling, M.D., Ph.D. , MS neurologist at the Colorado Neurological Institute

Jacob Sosnoff, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

To learn more, mslivingwell.org. To share your story, check out ICanWithMS.org.

Country living far from large cities has wonderful advantages, but can present some unique challenges to receive optimal multiple sclerosis care. This podcast addresses when it’s time to drive to see a MS specialist. MS experts share their wisdom on various strategies to access the most current treatments while still enjoying life in countryside from the plains to the mountains. Creative ways of coordinating care between local heathcare providers and MS specialists in MS centers described. Emerging telemedicine options reviewed to get remote care.

Barry Singer, MD, Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care, interviews:

Susan Scarberry, MD, Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, North Dakota. Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Gabriel Pardo, MD, Director, OMRF Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence, Oklahoma City.

See also: www.mslivingwell.org 

Myelin is the coating on the nerve cells (neurons) of the nervous system that allows messages to travel rapidly in our body. Myelin wrapped around the neurons also keeps neurons healthy. In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks myelin disrupting electrical signals and making neurons vulnerable to chronic damage. Remyelination is the strategy to recoat the nerves with new myelin. Myelin-making cells called oligodendrocytes (“oligos”) are described. The podcast reviews recent laboratory breakthroughs in screening for new treatments to turn on immature oligos to repair myelin. The exciting initial steps are presented regarding the transition from the laboratory research into clinical trials with multiple sclerosis patients.

Barry Singer, MD, Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care at Missouri Baptist Medical Center interviews:

Ari J Green, MD, Chief of Division of Neuroinflammation and Glial Biology, Medical Director of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroinflammation Center, Debbie and Andy Rachleff Distinguished Professor of Neurology, Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco.

To learn more, www..mslivingwell.org To share your MS story, check out www.ICanWithMS.org 

Treatment approaches to multiple sclerosis continue to change. Over the past quarter of a century, MS went from an untreatable disease to a disease responsive to a broad array of oral, intravenous and self-injected medications. Greater long-term disease control is now possible for more people living with MS. However, undertreatment can result in significant physical disability including imbalance, weakness, visual loss, incontinence and pain and significant cognitive impairment including short-term memory loss, multitasking impairment and word-finding problems. This podcast outlines different treatment strategies to maximize quality of life long-term to realize your individual goals with the least disability. Information is presented on which people with MS might be at increased risk of disability and need early use of a highly effective medication. Treatment safety is weighed against the treatment benefits and risk of long-term disability.

Barry Singer MD, Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care, interviews two amazing MS specialists who are also phenomenal patient advocates:

Heidi Crayton MD, Director of The MS Center of Greater Washington in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC. Dr. Crayton completed her neurology residency and multiple sclerosis fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital. She is a national leader in MS treatment and clinical trial investigator.

Aaron Boster, MD, is an MS expert at Ohio Health in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Boster completed his neurology residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a fellowship focused on clinical neuroimmunology and multiple sclerosis at Wayne State University in Detroit. Dr. Boster continues to be active in clinical research, authoring academic publications and lecturing globally.

To learn more about multiple sclerosis, go to: www.mslivingwell.org