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. Heā€™s won several national broadcast awards. As an MS patient communicator, Ed consults with healthcare and social media companies. Heā€™s the author of ā€œWeā€™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 Floridaā€™s Gulf Coast.

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. Hereā€™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. Hereā€™s a look at whatā€™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 ā€” 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. Hereā€™s a look at whatā€™s been happening: A positive report on orelabrutinib Orelabrutinib is one of several experimental Brutonā€™s tyrosine kinase (BTK)…

That UTI ā€” 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. Hereā€™s a look at whatā€™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, Iā€™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…

MS news notes: Remyelination, CNM-Au8, diet and bones

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. Hereā€™s a look at whatā€™s been happening: More remyelination research For years, most MS research has focused on stopping disease progression. In the past couple…

After 3 years, COVID-19 finally caught up to me

It was bound to happen. Even though it’s been more than three years since COVID-19 reared it head in Wuhan, China, and even though I’ve had five of the COVID-19 vaccine shots recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ā€” two primary series doses and three…

MS news notes: Tysabri biosimilar, diet, cognitive rehab, aging

Welcome to ā€œMS News Notes,ā€ a weekly Monday morning column where I comment on multiple sclerosis (MS) news stories that caught my eye last week. Hereā€™s a look at whatā€™s been happening: Tysabri biosimilar on the horizon Tysabri (natalizumab) is a very effective disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for…

A Primer on ABLE Accounts for Americans With Disabilities

Have you ever heard of an ABLE savings account? I hadn’t until a couple weeks ago. The acronym stands for the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, a law passed by the U.S. Congress in 2014. It created special savings accounts that allow disabled Americans, including people with…

MS News Notes: Tascenso ODT Approval, Baclofen Disdain, Myelin

Welcome to ā€œMS News Notes,ā€ where I comment on multiple sclerosis (MS) news stories that caught my eye last week. Hereā€™s a look at whatā€™s been happening: Gilenya alternative The disease-modifying therapy (DMT) Gilenya (fingolimod) has been around since 2010. Now the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has…

Could the Key to New MS Treatments Be in Outer Space?

As you read this, a group of scientists is doing multiple sclerosis (MS) research high above the earth. Their laboratory is in orbit about 250 miles up, aboard the International Space Station. Working with researchers at the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF), astronauts have been helping…