It's our final episode of the year, and we're taking a look back at what you decided were the most important RealTalk MS podcast episodes of the past year. These are the episodes that received the highest number of listener downloads.       We're also polishing our crystal ball, taking a look ahead to 2019, and talking about some of the research that we can expect to be hearing about. We'll even share some of the specific topics that we'll be discussing on the podcast in the coming year.   Thanks to you, 2018 has been an amazing year for RealTalk MS. Are you ready for 2019?! ___________

 

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RealTalk MS Past Episode Archives

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RealTalk MS Episode 71 Hosted By: Jon Strum

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, RealTalkMS, MSResearch

The holiday season seems to carry with it the message of hope, and of finding the best side of who we are. So one of the gifts that I'm going to unwrap with you is a replay of a conversation that I had earlier this year, with 2 people who epitomize hope, humanity, and love. To me, that's what the holiday is all about, and that's what Dan and Jennifer Digmann are all about.    Jennifer was diagnosed with Progressive MS in 1997, and Dan was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 2000. Dan & Jennifer met at a National MS Society event in 2002, and they were married in 2005.   We'll get Dan and Jennifer's thoughts about what life is like when both partners in a marriage have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.      We'll also tell you about the research team that may have identified a biomarker for MS (and why that's a very good thing!). We'll share the results of the Phase III clinical trial data analysis that demonstrates that treatment with Ampyra improves walking ability for people living with MS, we'll tell you about the FDA approval of a Phase II clinical trial for a novel stem cell therapy, and you'll hear about the clinical trial that's about to begin for a new cannabinoid-enriched tablet that can help manage MS pain and spasticity.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS?! ___________

Possible Biomarker for MS Identified   1:51

STUDY: Treatment With Ampyra Improves Walking Ability  5:27

FDA Approves Phase 2 Clinical Trial for NurOwn Stem Cell Therapy  7:57

Clinical Trial Planned for Cannabinoid-Enriched Tablet  9:35

 

My Interview with Dan & Jennifer Digmann  11:02

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LINKSIf 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

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Possible Biomarker for Multiple Sclerosis Identified

Assessment of Clinically Meaningful Improvements in Self-Reported Walking Ability in Particpants with Multiple Sclerosis: Results from the Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III ENHANCE Trial of Prolonged-Release Fampridine

OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp. Reports the Successful Production of Cannabinoid-Enriched Sublingual Disintegrating Tablet

Dan and Jennifer Digmann

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RealTalk MS Episode 70 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guest: Dan & Jennifer Digmann

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, RealTalkMS, Ampyra, Cannabis, MSResearch, DanandJenniferDigmann

The logistics involved in traveling can be cumbersome, and that's twice as true if you're living with MS. Mobility issues and other special requirements can make travel challenging. But whether you're out exploring the world or just checking into a local hotel for a pampered staycation, travel can add so much to your quality of life. My guest on the podcast is Tarita Davenock. It's been 20 years since Tarita's MS diagnosis. And today, Tarita is the CEO of Travel For All, a travel agency that embraces the philosophy that travel should be inclusive, and not exclusive.       Last week, a federal judge declared the Affordable Care Act to be unconstitutional, and we're talking about what that means for people living with MS. We'll share some newly published results of a stem cell therapy clinical trial, we'll tell you about a study that demonstrates how exercise improves myelin repair in the mouse model of MS, and we'll tell you about CanProCo, a large MS research project just getting underway in Canada.    Jon and RealTalk MS were featured in last week's Causepods podcast. We'll tell you what that's all about, and how Causepods has created a way for you to support the National MS Society.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS?! ___________

The Affordable Care Act Was Ruled Unconstitutional -- What This Means for People Living with MS   2:11

RealTalk MS Is Featured on the CausePods Podcast  6:33

Encouraging Results From Stem Cell Therapy Study, But Questions Still Need To Be Answered  8:18

Ocrevus Approved for Treating Relapsing-Remitting MS in Scotland  10:53

Exercise Promotes Myelin Repair in Mouse Model of MS  12:07

The Canadian Proactive Cohort Study for People Living with MS Will Study 1,000 Canadians Living with MS   14:02

My Interview with Travel For All CEO, Tarita Davenock  16:37

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LINKSIf 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

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National Patient Groups Denounce District Court Ruling Overturning Health Care Law

Jon Strum & RealTalk MS on the Causepods Podcast

GoFundMe Page Benefiting The National MS Society

Prospective Phase II Clinical Trial of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Treatment Refractory Multiple Sclerosis

Multimodal Enhancement of Remyelination by Exercise with a Pivotal Role for Oligodendroglial PGC1a

Travel For All

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RealTalk MS Episode 69 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guest: Tarita Davenock

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MS, RealTalkMS, TravelForAll, ACA, ProtectOurCare, MSActivist, HSCT, Ocrevus, CanProCo, MSSocietyCanada, Causepods

Artificial intelligence is about to change the entire healthcare landscape. And that might very well include how MS is diagnosed, treated, and managed. It's even beginning to impact the way some MS research is being conducted. My guest is the founder and CEO of iQuity, Dr. Chase Spurlock. iQuity is using its expertise in machine learning to improve patient care, drive the creation of new therapies, and reduce the costs associated with managing chronic illness, including multiple sclerosis.      We're also talking about the important but sometimes overlooked difference between MS facts and MS beliefs. We'll tell you about the safety alert that the FDA has issued for Lemtrada, and new survey research from the MS Society in the UK that shows the majority of people living with MS are living with feelings of loneliness and isolation.   You'll hear about new study data that shows the gender differences in MS have some age-related fine points that are worth noting, and we'll tell you about a Phase 3 clinical trial that's looking at the effectiveness of high-dose biotin in slowing or stopping MS progression for people living with progressive MS.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS?! ___________

The Difference Between MS Facts & MS Beliefs   0:22

How AI is About to Disrupt Healthcare 4:21

FDA Issues a Safety Alert for Lemtrada  7:40

MS Society in the UK Survey Research Shows 3 in 5 People Living with MS are Living with Loneliness  9:51

Gender Differences in MS Vary with Age & MS Subtype  13:40

MedDay Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Progressive MS Fully Enrolled  15:55

My Interview with iQuity CEO, Dr. Chase Spurlock  17:50 

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LINKSIf 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

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FDA Warns About Rare But Serious Risks of Stroke & Blood Vessel Wall Tears with Multiple Sclerosis Drug Lemtrada

Age-Dependent Variation of Female Preponderance Across Different Phenotypes of Multiple Sclerosis: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

iQuity

 

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RealTalk MS Episode 68 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guest: Dr. Chase Spurlock

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MS, RealTalkMS, mssocietyUK, AI, Lemtrada, MedDay, Biotin, iQuity

Research is the engine that drives us toward better understanding MS, better treating MS, and one day, curing MS. My guest on the podcast is Dr. Larry Sherman, who plays a vital role on the front lines of MS research. We're talking with Dr. Sherman about some of his most significant research and his unique research lab.      We're also talking about two important victories for MS Activists. We'll tell you about the EMA approval of Gilenya for treating pediatric MS, the FDA approval of a generic for Aubagio, new technology that will enable people with MS to pilot their wheelchairs by flexing a couple of facial muscles, and the rehab technique that can benefit Olympic athletes and people living with MS.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS?! ___________

MS Activists Have Something to Celebrate   0:22

National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System Will Study Data for MS 4:48

European Medicines Agency Approves Gilenya for Pediatric MS  6:41

FDA Approves Generic for Aubagio  8:21

New Technology Lets You Pilot a Wheelchair By Flexing Facial Muscles  9:32

Motor Imagery with Verbal Cues & Music May Lead to Improved Walking, Fatigue & Quality of Life for People Living with MS  11:31

My Interview with Dr. Larry Sherman  15:34 

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LINKSIf 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

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National MS Society: Get Involved & Advocate For Change

Limbitless Solutions Project Xavier

STUDY: Effects and Mechanisms of Differently Cued and Non-Cued Motor Imagery in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Oregon National Primate Research Center

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RealTalk MS Episode 67 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guest: Dr. Larry Sherman

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSsociety, ACA, MSActivist, Gilenya, Aubagio, Limbitless3D, RealTalkMS

We're into the final few days of National Family Caregivers Month, and my guest on the podcast is Scott Williams, Vice President, Head of Global Patient Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships at EMD Serono. We're talking with Scott about EMD Serono's commitment to MS caregivers.      We're also talking about creating a caregiver protocol that becomes part of the conversation in the neurologist's office as soon as someone is newly diagnosed with MS. We'll tell you about the FDA's new warning about stopping Gilenya. We'll share news about two different clinical trials that are exploring two different cell therapies for treating progressive MS. And we'll share some amazing statistics that demonstrate the reach and effectiveness of the National MS Society's MS Navigator program, a remarkable one-on-one MS support program.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS?! ___________

Can We Talk About Establishing a Caregiver Protocol?  1:04

FDA Warns About Severe MS Worsening After Stopping Gilenya  4:54

Phase 2 Clinical Trial Planned for NurOwn Cell Therapy for Treating Progressive MS  6:30

ATA190 Cell Therapy Shows Promising Phase 1 Clinical Trial Results for Treating Progressive MS  7:43

MS Society's MS Navigator Program Demonstrates Reach & Effectiveness  10:36

Scott Williams, Vice-President, Head of Global Patient Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships Discusses EMD Serono's Commitment to MS Caregivers  14:08 

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LINKSIf 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

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FDA Warns About Severe Worsening of Multiple Sclerosis After Stopping the Medicine Gilenya

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Announces Submission of IND for NurOwn in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Epstein-Barr Virus-Specific T Cell Therapy for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Ask An MS Navigator

RealTalk MS Episode 19: MS Navigators -- A Seriously Remarkable Service That You Need to Know About

DOCUMENTARY: Seeing MS From the Inside Out

Embracing Carers

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RealTalk MS Episode 66 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guest: Scott Williams

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSsociety,  Gilenya, ProgressiveMS, MSInsideOut, EmbracingCarers, Caregiving, RealTalkMS

I've received some great questions from some of my listeners. And this week, Cherie Binns, an Internationally Certified MS Nurse and the co-chair of the iConquerMS Research committee, is joining me to answer listener questions. She's even going to share some of her tips for living well with MS!      We'll also explain why the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to sports arenas, but not to your doctor's office. We'll tell you about an outdoor adventure organization for young adults with cancer that's just expanded it's no-cost programs to include young adults living with MS. The National MS Society has awarded pilot funding to 20 high-risk novel research projects. We'll tell you about what some of these projects are hoping to achieve. And this week, we'll tell you about the people and organizations that we're especially thankful for.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS?! ___________

The ADA Extends to Sports Arenas, But Not Your Doctor's Office  2:37

First Descents Extends Its Outdoor Adventure Program to Young Adults Living with MS  7:19

National MS Society Has Awarded Pilot Funding for 20 High-Risk Novel Research Projects  8:38

Have a Question? Send it In!  13:32

Internationally Certified MS Nurse Cherie Binns Answers Your Questions & Shares Some Tips for Living Well with MS   14:24 

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LINKSIf 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

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First Descents

National MS Society Announces 20 Novel Research Projects

 

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RealTalk MS Episode 65 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guest: Cherie Binns

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSActivist, iConquerMS, MSsociety,  RealTalkMS

Patient-centered research is based on an understanding that patients themselves have unique perspectives that can help to mold, change, and improve the work of finding answers to clinical questions. My guest on the podcast is Laura Kolaczkowski, the co-Principal Investigator for iConquerMS. We're talking about the impact this people-powered research network is having on MS research, and how the first ever patient-driven MS drug development project came about.      We'll also help you wade through the information and misinformation that surrounds whether people with MS should get a flu shot this season. We'll tell you about a study that demonstrates how ballet exercise can help improve balance and motor control for people living with MS, why a new and more powerful MRI scanner is good news for the MS community, a new smartphone-based study that you can be a part of, and a newly-released video manifesto that you have to see!   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS?! ___________

MS & Flu Shots  5:14

Study: Ballet Exercise Improves Balance & Motor Control in People Living with MS  8:05

Genentech Launches Floodlight Open  11:22

FDA Approves More Powerful MRI for Clinical Use  13:33

National MS Society Releases We Believe, a Video Manifesto  15:41

My Interview with Laura Kolaczkowski   17:06 

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LINKSIf 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

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STUDY: Targeted Ballet Program Mitigates Ataxia and Improves Balance in Females with Mild-to-Moderate Multiple Sclerosis

Floodlight Open

VIDEO: We Believe

iConquerMS

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RealTalk MS Episode 64 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guest: Laura Kolaczkowski

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSActivist, iConquerMS, MSsociety,  RealTalkMS

Caregiving carries a lot of challenges. And for some people, it can feel overwhelming. So, what are the things that make being a caregiver for someone living with a chronic illness like MS so challenging?   We're kicking off National Family Caregivers Month with my guest, Dr. Amy Sullivan, Director of Behavioral Medicine, Research and Training at the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis at the Cleveland Clinic, and we're talking about how to best navigate some of the challenges that go along with being a caregiver for someone living with MS.      We're also talking about today's election in the U.S., and what it means for people living MS, the unresolved status of Ocrevus as a treatment for primary progressive MS in the UK, and the fast-tracking of Mavenclad in the UK. We'll tell you about the bus driver who stood up for a man with MS, an insurance company that will fly people to Mexico and pay a cash bonus to buy their MS prescription medication there, and we'll share results from the Embracing Carers International Survey.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS?! ___________

It's Election Day in the U.S. (and what that means to people living with MS!)  :22

The Bus Driver Who Stood Up for a Man with MS  2:49

An Insurer Will Fly People with MS to Mexico to Buy Their Prescription Drugs  4:00

Ocrevus On Hold for People with Primary Progressive MS in the UK  5:49

Mavenclad Fast-Tracked in the UK  7:59

Embracing Carers Campaign & Can Do MS Announce a New Collaboration   9:42 

Embracing Carers International Survey Results  10:52

Interview with Dr. Amy Sullivan  12:55

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LINKSIf 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

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RealTalk MS Congressional Report Card

CanDo-MS Embracing Carers Program

Recommendations for Cognitive Screening and Management in Multiple Sclerosis Care

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RealTalk MS Episode 63 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guest: Dr. Amy Sullivan

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSActivist, DrAmyBSullivan, ClevelandClinic, Caregiving, Caregiver, Ocrevus, Mavenclad, EMDSerono, EmbracingCarers, CanDoMS, RealTalkMS

Cognitive dysfunction can profoundly affect people living with MS, yet it's frequently overlooked and left untreated. That's why the National MS Society convened a working group of world-class experts to explore how cognitive dysfunction was being assessed and to develop a set of guidelines designed to improve the process of cognitive screening and management in MS care.      My guest is Dr. John DeLuca, the Senior Vice-President of Research & Training at the Kessler Foundation, and the co-author of the just-published report that details this important set of new guidelines.   We're also making an exciting announcement with the Accelerated Cure Project for MS about the RealTalk MS podcast. We're talking about how you can prepare for next week's midterm election in the U.S., we'll tell you how the Federal Trade Commission went after 2 crooked stem cell clinics that claimed they were curing MS, we'll give you a heads-up about MS stem cells that really are heading for outer space, and you'll hear about an investment that the National MS Society made in some exciting cutting-edge commercial biotech research.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS?! ___________

Some Exciting News About RealTalk MS  2:16

How You Can Prepare to Vote in the U.S. Next Week  4:10

2 Phony Stem Cell Clinics Caught Defrauding Patients  10:09

MS Stem Cells Are Headed for Outer Space  14:22

National MS Society Invests in Cutting-Edge Commercial BioTech Research  16:20 

Interview with Dr. John DeLuca  17:58

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LINKSIf 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

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iConquerMS

RealTalk MS Congressional Report Card

FTC Complaint Against Dr. Bryn Jarald Henderson's Stem Cell Clinics

Recommendations for Cognitive Screening and Management in Multiple Sclerosis Care

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RealTalk MS Episode 62 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guest: Dr. John DeLuca

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSActivist, Election2018, iConquerMS, KesslerFdn, RealTalkMS