The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Florida, MS biomarker, Lemtrada, nasal spray

Diagnosed with MS at age 32 in 1980, Ed has written the “MS Wire” column for Multiple Sclerosis News Today since August 2016. He presents timely information on MS, blended with personal experiences. Before retiring from full-time work in 2012, Tobias spent more than four decades in broadcast and on-line newsrooms as a manager, reporter, and radio news anchor. He’s won several national broadcast awards. As an MS patient communicator, Ed consults with healthcare and social media companies. He’s the author of ā€œWe’re Not Drunk, We Have MS: A tool kit for people living with multiple sclerosis.ā€ Ed and his wife split time between the Washington, D.C. suburbs and Florida’s Gulf Coast.

MS news notes: Frexalimab, vidofludimus calcium, Briumvi

Welcome to ā€œMS News Notes,ā€ a Monday morning column where I comment on multiple sclerosis (MS) news stories that caught my eye last week. Here’s a look at what’s been happening: Is CD40L a better way to control MS inflammation? CD40L is a protein that’s involved with activation of…

Let’s talk facts about MS and COVID-19 vaccines

Since the early days of the COVID-19 vaccination program, disinformation claiming that the vaccines can induce multiple sclerosis (MS) has swirled around social media. Recently, there’s been a resurgence of this type of post, sparked by a report published on the World Health Organization (WHO) website titled “…

MS News Notes: EBV, nabiximols, MRT-6160

Welcome to ā€œMS News Notes,ā€ a Monday morning column where I comment on multiple sclerosis (MS) news stories that caught my eye last week. Here’s a look at what’s been happening: A closer look at the EBV-MS link Much has been written over the past few years about the…

Want to take your MS to the beach?

Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer vacation in the U.S., is fast approaching. It’s almost time for some summer beach fun — if we can get there. Beaches can be difficult, if not impossible, to access for many people with multiple sclerosis (MS). But times seem to be…

My 5 wishes for the future of multiple sclerosis

A recent post on the MS-Selfie blog asks and answers this question: What is the “greatest unmet need” concerning multiple sclerosisĀ (MS)? Professor Gavin Giovannoni, the London-based neurologist who writes that blog, lists five unmet needs, many of which I agree with. But those needs are from the viewpoint…

MS news notes: Stem cell therapy, early Aubagio use, DMTs

Welcome to ā€œMS News Notes,ā€ a Monday morning column where I comment on multiple sclerosis (MS) news stories that caught my eye last week. Today I’ll focus on stories from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2023 Annual Meeting, held April 22-27 in Boston. Here’s a look at…

If you have MS, is it time to get another COVID-19 booster?

Those with multiple sclerosis (MS) may want to roll up their sleeves again for a COVID-19 vaccine. I’m thinking about whether to join them. About 10 days ago, an advisory committee of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supported a recommendation that people 65…

MS news notes: Yoga, vitamin D, myelin repair, fall risk

Welcome to ā€œMS News Notes,ā€ a Monday morning column where I comment on multiple sclerosis (MS) news stories that caught my eye last week. Here’s a look at what’s been happening: Yoga vs. physical therapy The MS News Today article “Yoga better than physical therapy at improving…

What my spring training looks like with MS

My exercise routine was first disrupted by the pandemic. Then Hurricane Ian landed a right hook on the exercise room in my Florida community, knocking it out of action. But not long after that, my thoughts were turning to something sweeter — pitchers and catchers returning to spring…

MS news notes: Orelabrutinib, foralumab, diets, coffee and tea

Welcome to ā€œMS News Notes,ā€ a Monday morning column in which I comment on multiple sclerosis (MS) news stories that caught my eye last week. Here’s a look at what’s been happening: A positive report on orelabrutinib Orelabrutinib is one of several experimental Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK)…

That UTI — was it caused by MS or was it the meat?

Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have experienced urinary tract infections (UTIs) at some point. It’s a common problem with MS and can be caused by a number of things, such as the inability to fully empty the bladder or the need to self-catheterize. Symptoms can include urinary…

MS news notes: Ocrevus, MDX-2201, online cannabis clinic, WHO

Welcome to ā€œMS News Notes,ā€ a Monday morning column in which I comment on multiple sclerosis (MS) news stories that caught my eye last week. Here’s a look at what’s been happening: Study shows Ocrevus lowers risk of MS progression This seems to be just what the doctor ordered,…

MS News Notes: Briumvi, vitamin D, CNM-Au8

Welcome to ā€œMS News Notes,ā€ a Monday morning column in which I comment on multiple sclerosis (MS) news stories that caught my eye last week. In this column, I’ll be highlighting more MS News Today articles from the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis…

MS news notes: Evobrutinib, a portable MRI, fatigue, depression

Welcome to ā€œMS News Notes,ā€ a Monday morning column where I comment on multiple sclerosis (MS) news stories that caught my eye last week. In this column, I’ll be highlighting some MS News Today stories from last week’s Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis…

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