Living with MS

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is presenting virtual and in-person ways to support its eighth annual Improving Lives Benefit, which will showcase more than a half-century of efforts for the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. The virtual event, themed “Together at Home,” will be held at…

There is minimal data available on the safety of most disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) when used during breastfeeding, a new review indicates. The study “Disease-Modifying Drugs and Breastfeeding in Multiple Sclerosis: A Narrative Literature Review,” was published in Frontiers in Neurology. Disease-modifying therapies, or DMTs,…

There is an ongoing difference of opinion between my husband and me regarding my general outlook on life. I consider myself to be a realist, whereas he thinks I tend to err on the side of pessimism. I’m an overthinker. I’ve always felt things incredibly intensely. Interestingly, when I read…

Loss of gray matter in the spinal cord clearly associates with greater disability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), but determining the extent of its loss is limited by an inability to accurately measure gray matter in all patients, a small study in Spain reported. The true amount of…

Greater engagement in social activities and positive social support were associated with better physical and psychological health among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a recent study. These data “suggest that social integration and social support should be a crucial part of MS management,” the researchers wrote, adding that…

People newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Norway have in recent years received disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) independent of their socioeconomic status, according to a new analysis. These findings do not support previous reports indicating that fewer DMTs are prescribed for the most socially deprived MS patients, the…

Do you think about death? I do — a lot. I mean, like almost every day. Don’t get…

An intervention that involves training to recognize facial expressions, and also mimicking these expressions, may help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have trouble recognizing facial affect, according to data from a small clinical trial. These findings were reported in the study “Emotional processing intervention (EMOPRINT):…

Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) report new bouts of depression and anxiety as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but factors that often influence such mental health concerns were not associated with anxiety or depression in the patient group  surveyed for a recent U.S. study. “We found that…

In the South, we have a tendency to cram words together to create a single gigantic one, a kind of linguistic Pangea, if you will. The one I’ve been using a lot lately is “usetacould,” a condensed form of the phrases “I used to be able to” and “I once…

Before anyone in the U.S. asks who this Jeremy Clarkson fella is, know that petrol heads in your country know exactly who he is. Indeed, the Brit motoring show “Top Gear,” at its height a few years ago, made him and his fellow presenters stars the world over. It…

I’m marking a big anniversary this month. It’s been four years since I finished the second round of treatment with Lemtrada (alemtuzumab), my final disease-modifying therapy (DMT). That means that, after about 60 monthly blood draws, I’m finished being stuck. Lemtrada is usually a two-phase series of…

While sexual problems are relatively common in women with multiple sclerosis (MS), it can still be difficult to openly discuss their experiences with their doctor. A questionnaire especially tailored for women with MS called the Sexual Dysfunction Management and Expectations Assessment in Multiple sclerosis – Female (SEA-MS-F) may…

“Serendipity. Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you’ve found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for.” — Lawrence Block When the world was thrown into lockdown at the dawn of COVID-19, I was already an old hand at functioning…

Photo courtesy of Anna Sochocky Day 31 of 31 This is Anna Sochocky’s (annasochocky.com) story: “The MRI shows lesions on your brain and the upper part of your cervical spine, which explains the numbness throughout your body and the limited function on your right side,” my new neurologist…

Photo courtesy of Lance Schultz Day 30 of 31 This is Lance Schultz’s (@drlschultz) story: My first symptoms began in 2006, the year I turned 50. At first, a cold breeze on my legs would cause severe spasticity. I would walk like Frankenstein’s monster. Shortly thereafter,…

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Conway Day 29 of 31 This is Jennifer Conway’s (@jenzconway) story: I was 24 when I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 1998. Over the years, I’ve learned so much about how to manage daily life with MS and all that comes with…

Reviewing an MRI of one’s brain and seeing lesions on it is a frightening prospect for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). “The lesions, the bright spots on a brain scan, that’s probably the last place in your body most of us want to see things. [It’s] such an important…

Photo courtesy of Roy Padilla Day 28 of 31 This is Roy Padilla’s (@royale_padilla) story: My journey with MS began around fall 2008 (allegedly). One morning, I woke up with a small headache, that day by day got worse. It became so bad I couldn’t keep my balance.

Photo courtesy of Julie Tovar Day 27 of 31 This is Julie Tovar’s (@theadventuresofsamandjulie) story: My journey started in December 2019, as I was planning my February 2020 wedding. I had developed a limp and was experiencing unusual symptoms along with lots of pain. I was…

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Singleton Day 26 of 31 This is Stephanie Singleton’s story: I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in August 2014 after going to the hospital for new-onset double vision. I was not surprised when the emergency room doctor came in to tell me that…

I’m changing my mind about MS Awareness Month — at least a little — thanks to “31 Days of MS.” Whether it’s an awareness month or a week, or whether it’s for MS or disabilities in general, I’ve never been a big fan of these types of initiatives.

Photo courtesy of Marie Pontini Day 25 of 31 This is Marie Pontini’s (@mariepontini) story: The page on the previous chapter of my life had turned. It was pointless to wonder why, hang on to my past expectations of the future, or worry. My accomplishments, education, and knowledge were…

Photo courtesy of Debbie Petrina Day 24 of 31 This is Debbie Petrina’s (debbiems.com) story: My story begins with a lesson I learned when I was a young girl. My Aunt Josie was very smart and a keen listener. She would ask provocative questions, frequently adding “use your…

Eight weeks of an online mindfulness program significantly lowered levels of depression and improved quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers in Australia report. “This study adds to growing evidence on how wellness strategies can help people with MS to reduce symptoms and enable fuller participation…

Photo courtesy of Feliciano Velazquez Day 23 of 31 This is Feliciano Velazquez’s (@felicia.no) story: I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS at the end of April 2020, right at the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic, at age 21. I remember experiencing double vision and had a pretty…

Photo courtesy of Yazzie Nicolau Day 22 of 31 This is Yazzie Nicolau’s (@yazzietalks) story: I am a 31-year-old free-spirited vegan and coming up on my five-year “diagnosary” of MS. Yep, that’s me! To be honest, since being diagnosed, my life has felt a lot smoother. I’ve…

Photo courtesy of Ken Bach Day 21 of 31 This is Ken Bach’s (@kens.ms.fitmess) story: Ten years ago, on the day my youngest son was born, I woke up unable to move my right arm. A month later, results from an MRI confirmed my suspicions and showed nine…

Telehealth services for physical and mental healthcare were used often by people with multiple sclerosis (MS) during the COVID-19 pandemic and most were satisfied or highly satisfied with such care, according to a study based on survey results. “The findings suggest that telehealth services were well liked during the…

Photo courtesy of Holly Stevens Day 20 of 31 This is Holly Stevens’ (@buckie_mom) story: My MS was diagnosed in November 2006, back in my native California, after I experienced numbness and tingling on the left side of my body following a 5K run that April. I…