The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is holding its Annual Meeting this week in Los Angeles. And with more than 10,000 neurologists all in one place, we're talking about a LOT of news coming out of that conference.   Just some of the topics we're talking about on this week's podcast:

• The AAN announced new guidelines for treating MS.
• A new study will convince you to begin MS disease-modifying therapy sooner, rather than later.
• The National MS Society has announced $14.2 million dollars in funding for 45 new research projects aimed at slowing, stopping, and ending MS.
• Genentech announced some good news for MS patients taking Ocrevus.
• Biogen announced the results of several MS research studies.
• Computer-based cognitive training can improve memory for people living with MS.

My guest on the podcast is 3-time Stanley Cup winner and and star of the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks, Bryan Bickell. Bryan retired from hockey last year, after being diagnosed with MS.

We'll talk with Bryan about what it was like to get that diagnosis, what it was like to score that very memorable final goal of his career, and what lies ahead for him. (NOTE: During our conversation, Bryan references a website, "My Fighting Hockey Story". The correct website is MyFightingStory.com. Sorry for the confusion!)

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AAN Announces New Treatment Guidelines For MS  2:02

Study Indicates Importance of Starting MS Treatment ASAP  4:01

National MS Society Investing $14.2 Million in New Research  6:54

Genentech Has Good News For MS Patients Taking Ocrevus  8:25

Biogen Study Correlates MS Cognitive Decline to Socioeconomic Demographics  10:35

Computer-Based Cognitive Training Improves Memory for People Living with MS  12:49

The MSUnderstood Cafe Gives People A Taste of MS  13:49

Interview with hockey star Bryan Bickell  16:03

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LINKSIf your podcast app doesn’t show these links, you’ll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com

American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting   AAN Announces New Treatment Guidelines for MS   Early Versus Later Treatment Start in Multiple Sclerosis - A Register Based Cohort Study   Register for Interim Analysis of the Ocrelizumab Biomarker Outcome Evaluation Study in Multiple Sclerosis Research Study   Benchmarks of Cognitive Performance in a Large, Representative Patient Population   Cognitive Training and Neuropsychological Performance of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis   The MSUnderstood Cafe   Bryan Bickell's Career Final Shot is a Shootout Goal   Bryan Bickell's Story

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Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Episode 29 Guest: Bryan Bickell Hosted By: Jon Strum

Tags: MS, multiple sclerosis, AAN, AANAM, MS Treatment Guidelines, Genentech, Biogen, Ocrevus, NMSS, National MS Society, Roche, MSUnderstood Cafe, Bryan Bickell, RealTalkMS

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is holding its Annual Meeting this week in Los Angeles. With more than 10,000 neurologists all in one place, we're talking about a LOT of news coming out of that conference, including:

- New treatment guidelines for MS

- One more really important reason to start treating MS ASAP

- Good news for MS patients taking Ocrevus

- $14.2 million in funding for new MS research

...and MORE

We're also sitting down to talk with NHL star Bryan Bickell about his MS journey

When we think about MS, we tend to think about it as an adult disease. But the National MS Society reminds us that between 8,000 and 10,000 children up to 18 years old are living with MS in the United States. And studies suggest that between 2 and 5% of everyone living with MS has a history of experiencing the onset of at least one MS symptom before the age of 18.     My guest on the podcast is Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant, one of the true pioneers and experts in the field of pediatric MS. We're talking  with Dr. Waubant about some of the challenges involved in diagnosing pediatric MS, which disease-modifying therapies can be used to treat pediatric MS (since the FDA hasn't specifically approved any drug to treat pediatric MS) and how kids living with MS deal with all of the challenges that life throws at them. ____________

Healthcare Spending Doubles For People Living With MS  3:38

Vocal Biomarker Detects MS By the Sound of Your Voice  6:44

Researchers Will Study Quality of MS Care in the U.S.  8:11

2018 Dystel Prize for MS Research To Be Awarded  9:33

Interview with Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant 11:24

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LINKSIf your podcast app doesn’t show these links, you’ll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com

Healthcare Spending Doubles for People Living With MS

Sonde Health Patents Vocal Biomarker Technology

Study Looks At Quality of MS Care

Dystel Prize For MS Research Awarded to Dr. Frederik Barkhof

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Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Episode 28 Guest: Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant Hosted By: Jon Strum

Tags: MS, multiple sclerosis, pediatric MS, MS patient costs, Sonde Health, vocal biomarker, Dartmouth Medical Center, MS Care, Dystel Prize, Dr. Frederik Barkhof

8,000 - 10,000 kids are living with MS in the U.S. My guest on the podcast is Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant, one of the true pioneers and experts in the field of pediatric MS. We're talking with Dr. Waubant about some of the challenges involved in diagnosing pediatric MS, which disease-modifying therapies can be used to treat pediatric MS (since the FDA hasn't specifically approved any drug to treat pediatric MS) and how kids living with MS deal with all of the challenges that life throws at them.

As technology advances at an ever increasing rate, it's speeding up the pace of scientific discovery. In this week's podcast, we're looking at new tech tools -- smartphone apps, desktop programs, and mobile technology -- that will change the way you manage MS fatigue, anxiety, foot drop, MS rehab, and more. 

And you'll meet this week's guest, Jayce Riley, an MS Road Warrior who is preparing to ride his bike 3,785 miles across the United States to honor his late mother, and raise money for MS research.

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MS State Action Day in California  :20

Online Therapy Manages MS Fatigue  3:17

FDA Approves Mobile App For LG 300 Go Rehab System  7:31

Register To Test-Drive MyMS, a New Smartphone App  9:13

Generational Differences In Healthcare  10:35

There's a New Online Resource For People With MS  12:57  

Interview with Jayce Riley  16:19

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LINKSIf your podcast app doesn’t show these links, you’ll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com

Elevida Online Therapy Clinical Trial Results

FDA Approves Mobile App for LG 300 Go System

Generational Trends in Healthcare

MyMS Smartphone App Study Registration

National MS Society

MS Path 2 Care

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For more RealTalk MS, follow us on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Episode 27 Guests: Jayce Riley Hosted By: Jon Strum

Tags: MS, multiple sclerosis, Elevida, MS fatigue, LG300 Go, My Bioness, MyMS, MS Path 2 Care, MS podcast, RealTalk MS

As technology advances at an ever increasing rate, it's speeding up the pace of scientific discovery. This week, we're looking at new tech tools - smartphone apps, desktop programs, and mobile technology - that will change the way you manage MS fatigue, anxiety, foot drop, MS rehab, and more. 

And you'll meet Jayce Riley, an MS Road Warrior who is preparing to ride his bike 3,785 miles across the United States to raise money for MS research.

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

My podcast guest Stephanie Buxhoeveden was diagnosed with MS when she was 25 years old, working as a neurosurgical ICU nurse. Today, Stephanie is a board-certified Multiple Sclerosis Nurse, she is a Nurse Practitioner and she is the Co-Director of the MS Comprehensive Care Center where she has also been a patient.     Stephanie will share some of her experiences and observations from the dual perspective of someone who is a medical specialist who treats patients with MS, and also someone who lives with MS.   We're also talking about the results of the very first clinical trial to demonstrate a slowing in the progression of disability in secondary progressive MS. We'll tell you about a new Canadian study that shows a clear connection between depression and physical disability in MS. And we'll talk about the kind of information that California's new prescription drug price transparency bill is revealing. ____________

 :18     MS Awareness -- It's A 12-Month Campaign

3:01    New Drug Slows Disability Progression in Secondary Progressive MS

4:09    Study Shows Depression Impacts MS Physical Disability

6:42    Drug Price Transparency Law in California Begins to Reveal Real Information

8:49    Interview with Stephanie Buxhoeveden

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LINKSIf your podcast app doesn’t show these links, you’ll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com

Articles & Videos by Stephanie Buxhoeveden

GPS For Your MS: Initiating Your Wellness Journey

Emergency Preparedness

Facing the Emotional Symptoms of MS Together

TedX Talk: Thriving In The Face of Adversity

MS Path 2 Care

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For more RealTalk MS, follow us on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Episode 26 Guests: Stephanie Buxhoeveden, MSCN, FN-BC, MS Activist Hosted By: Jon Strum

Tags: MS, multiple sclerosis, Stephanie Buxhoeveden, Siponimod, MS and depression, MS prescription drug prices, prescription drug price transparency, MS podcast, RealTalk MS

Podcast guest Stephanie Buxhoeveden was diagnosed with MS when she was 25 years old, working as a neurosurgical ICU nurse. Today, Stephanie is a board-certified Multiple Sclerosis Nurse, she is a Nurse Practitioner and she is the Co-Director of the MS Comprehensive Care Center where she has also been a patient. Stephanie will share some of her experiences and observations from the dual perspective of someone who is a medical specialist who treats patients with MS, and also someone who lives with MS.

March is MS Awareness Month, and tomorrow we'll be observing the first ever Progressive MS Day, which is being celebrated by several MS advocacy groups and state governments around the United States.

My guests on the podcast are Dan and Jennifer Digmann.  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. 

Together, Dan & Jennifer write an award-winning MS blog, they host the A Couple Takes On MS podcast on the MS & ME Radio Network, they've co-authored a book entitled, Despite MS, to Spite MS, and in 2015, they were inducted into the National MS Society Volunteer Hall of Fame for Advocacy. 

We'll talk with Dan & Jennifer Digmann and get their thoughts about Progressive MS Day, and on what life is like when both partners in a marriage have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

____________   1:42     Managing MS Pain Through Mindfulness   4:50     Improving Cognitive Processing By Walking On a Treadmill   6:11     The Importance of Sleep in MS Symptom Management   9:57     Progressive MS Day With Dan & Jennifer Digmann ____________   LINKS   If your podcast app doesn't show these links, you'll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com   Association Between Pain & Mindfulness in Multiple Sclerosis   Guided Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief by Jon Kabat-Zinn   Treadmill Walking & Brain Function in Multiple Sclerosis   Poor Sleep in Multiple Sclerosis   Importance of Sleep in Multiple Sclerosis   Dan & Jennifer Digmann   A Couple Takes On MS Podcast   Despite MS, To Spite MS ____________   For more RealTalk MS, follow us on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.   RealTalk MS Episode 25 Guests: Dan & Jennifer Digmann Hosted By: Jon Strum   Tags: Progressive MS Day, MS, multiple sclerosis, Dan and Jennifer Digmann, MS pain, Mindfulness, MS and cognition, MS and sleep, MS podcast, RealTalk MS

My guests on the podcast are Dan and Jennifer Digmann.  Jennifer was diagnosed with Progressive MS in 1997, and Dan was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 2000. Dan & Jennifer met in 2002, and they were married in 2005. 

We're talking about Progressive MS Day with Dan & Jennifer, and about what life is like when both partners in a marriage have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

We're also talking about MS symptom management that you can do at home -- without any drugs!