2020-06-24 02:53
Healthline has created such a positive network, community, and resource for those of us living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or rheumatoid disease (RD).It’s been almost a month since… Read More
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MS and RA patient advocate, Lisa Emrich, shares news and information about living with multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis while working as a musician in Washington, DC.
2020-06-01 14:00
This post is sponsored by Healthline, a partner of mine. I am so excited to be working with them to help get the word out about their new app, RA Healthline. This will be a great resource of… Read More
2020-04-04 18:55
MRIs are fun! Wait, you haven’t heard that before? MRIs are dreaded torture chambers! Maybe that’s the way you feel about the tool which is ubiquitous with multiple sclerosi… Read More
2020-04-02 19:59
Living with one chronic disease, such as multiple sclerosis, can be challenging. Living with more than one chronic disease can make diagnosis and treatment difficult. Living with comorbidity… Read More
2018-08-27 22:15
Competitive bodybuilding is one way that David Lyons conquers multiple sclerosis (MS). Diagnosed with MS in 2006, David is motivated to educate and inspire people living with the disease t… Read More
2018-08-27 22:11
Self-injectable medicationsSeveral of the medications used to treat multiple sclerosis are injectable drugs. The requirements for storage and administration differ for each drug, but here a… Read More
2018-08-27 22:09
Maybe you have heard the term “Spinal MS.” What is that? I thought MS could be relapsing, primary progressive, secondary progressive, or “benign.”The lesions caused… Read More
2018-08-27 22:04
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with symptoms that can affect almost anything from head to toes. The disease is so variable that no two people with MS a… Read More
2018-08-27 21:57
One test which my neurologist, ophthalmologist, and primary care doctor each conduct during every office visit is the “swinging flashlight test.” You know the one. The doctor… Read More
2018-08-27 21:51
Pain is not a symptom of multiple sclerosis, right? Wrong. That has got to be one of the more frustrating myths for those of us living with MS. Pain in MS can show up as neuropathic pain or… Read More
2018-08-27 21:46
The neurologist is looking to see if there is a finger flexor response. The finger flexor response is demonstrated by a sudden flexing of the thumb and/or index finger. There a… Read More
2018-08-27 21:42
The latest disease-modifying therapy, called Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), was approved in March 2017 for relapsing and primary progressive forms of MS. Ocrelizumab works differently than other D… Read More
2018-08-27 21:39
When someone experiences a single demyelinating or inflammatory attack of the central nervous system that causes neurological symptoms resembling MS, it is called clinically isolated syndr… Read More
2018-08-27 21:36
Each New Year brings hope and a sense of optimism amidst a potentially gloomy season with brittle cold weather and often gray skies. It is a time to begin with a proverbial clean slate. A… Read More
2018-08-27 21:32
People with MS may be at higher risk of getting shingles because of reduced immune system function due to disease-modifying treatments. High-dose steroids, often used during relapses, may… Read More
2018-08-27 21:29
Currently available disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are primarily used in relapsing forms of the disease, including relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) in pat… Read More
2018-07-20 14:37
Kathleen G. was diagnosed with MS in 2006 after a very long year of testing. We spoke with Kathleen about her MS. Here is an excerpt from our discussion.Q: How has MS impacted your life?Kath… Read More
2018-07-20 14:37
From personal stories, embarrassing stories, and inspirational stories to research news, bizarre symptoms, and talks of life changes due to MS, we covered a little of everything in 2017.Life… Read More
2018-07-20 14:23
Living with a chronic condition, such as multiple sclerosis, brings with it a heavy load of emotional, physical, and social challenges. The symptoms alone can be perplexing and are… Read More
2018-07-20 13:46
My multiple sclerosis diagnosis took multiple years. It wasn’t a quick affair. Years separated early attacks, including five years between a case of temporary blindness from optic… Read More
2018-07-20 13:39
Although osteoarthritis (OA) is generally considered to be a “wear and tear” condition affecting older adults, it can also affect individuals in their 40s and 50s. I was first di… Read More
2018-07-20 13:24
During a routine visit with your neurologist, there is much material to cover. Your doctor will ask about symptoms, watch you walk, and conduct a neurological exam. He or she may also ask ab… Read More
2018-07-19 01:47
“My MS would be a lion; it can be fierce, scary, and at times untamed.” — Calie W.HC: What are your greatest joys with MS?Calie: My greatest joy with MS is being able to s… Read More
2018-07-19 01:47
Retired Canadian hockey player Bryan Bickell sat down with HealthCentral to talk about hockey, multiple sclerosis, fatherhood, and his new service dog program for people living with MS.Bic… Read More
2018-07-19 01:47
Not all forms of MS are the same. The majority of patients who develop MS begin with a relapsing form of the disease that features acute neurological attacks and a waxing and waning of sym… Read More
2018-07-19 01:47
My husband is my number one caregiver. He does most of the grocery shopping and carrying of heavy or large items up and down the stairs at home. I’m capable of doing these things, b… Read More
2018-07-19 01:47
There is nothing predictable or constant with multiple sclerosis. People living with the disease may have periods of time where not much seems to be going on. Other times, there may be rel… Read More
2018-07-19 01:47
Results from a recent study, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, demonstrate that acupuncture may improve walking in people with MS. The study included 20 p… Read More
2018-07-18 00:19
People diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their neurologists must make many decisions when it comes to treating the disease. With FDA-approved disease-modifying therapies, it can b… Read More
2018-07-18 00:19
A sharp pain explodes through your face and jaw. You think that perhaps an invisible bolt of lightning just struck without any warning. You’re not sure what happened, but you do know… Read More
2018-07-18 00:19
Tai Chi, also called Tai Chi Chuan, is an ancient Chinese martial art that has evolved into a multiple-element form of exercise, featuring slow, gentle, dance-like movements that encourag… Read More
2018-07-17 23:58
With the purchase of an outdoor bicycle last year, a world of possibilities has blossomed for me. My husband, Rob, and I have discovered new adventures and places to explore right in our o… Read More
2018-07-17 23:47
In anticipation of our first year participating in BikeMS, here are some things I did to get ready.To get ready for the ride, I still have quite a bit of training and conditioning to do. No… Read More
2018-07-17 23:39
As I was writing this evening, my gray cat Oscar jumped up on the arm of my recliner. He purred loudly and rubbed affectionately against my arm. Distracting me from my work, Oscar laid it… Read More
2018-07-16 18:16
The #MSMoment I’d like to share happened several years ago, but I still remember it like it happened yesterday. I felt fortunate that nobody was around to witness it, but that didn&r&hell…Read More
2018-07-16 18:12
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that frequently leads to neurological symptoms and disabilities. The effects of MS can result in sensory changes, vision problems, mobility chal… Read More
2018-07-16 18:08
Although I am the one diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), I am not the only one who lives with MS in our family. My husband, Rob, lives with MS, too.As is common in many relationships… Read More
2018-07-16 18:01
On the bike, I couldn’t ride for even two or three minutes without my legs feeling numb and spastic due to MS. So I decided to back off my efforts and count revolutions instead of mi… Read More
2018-07-16 17:57
One of the most common themes across different chronic disease communities is the large number of medications and supplements we often use. Some of us might keep those medication bottles i… Read More
2018-07-16 17:52
“Be prepared for the unknown and roll with it!” — Felicia E.A HealthCentral interview with MS patient, Felicia E.HC: Felicia, when were you diagnosed with MS? What led to y… Read More
2017-03-23 14:28
Handicapped parking is one of the more controversial issues in the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. Many people have mixed feelings about the need to park in designated parking spaces that… Read More
2017-03-23 14:28
According to the ADA National Network, the minimum width of accessible spaces is 8 feet, while van-accessible spaces should be 11-feet-wide. Access aisles are 5-feet-wide and can be shared b… Read More
2017-03-23 14:28
Traveling with a disability can be difficult at times, but traveling with a motorized wheelchair presents special challenges. I learned more about those challenges when I accompanied my good… Read More
2017-03-23 14:28
“My biggest joy with multiple sclerosis is learning how to allow life to be life on life's terms.” — Bobbie G.HC: How has MS impacted your life?Bobbie: At first, I was extr… Read More
2017-03-23 14:28
“Find joy and peace in the small things. Your spirit still needs to be nourished.” — Krystina E., RunningToStayAlive (Instagram)HC: Have your goals changed since you’… Read More
2017-03-23 14:28
“Continue to plan your future regardless of MS.” — Jessica P., @JesswithMSHC: Have you made any conscious lifestyle changes due to MS? If so, has it affected your quality o… Read More
2017-03-23 14:28
Over time, houses can become messy and cluttered. Heavy drapes keep out winter drafts, but block the cleansing light of the sun. As springtime breezes over the windowsill, cobwebs flutter in… Read More
2017-03-22 03:53
The Virginia chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMMS), of which I am a member, led the way for state advocacy across the country in support of policies that will benefit peo… Read More
2017-03-22 03:53
Walking into the kitchen, I stop to ask, “Who got bananas?” My husband replies, “We don’t have any bananas.” But I distinctly smell bananas and now I want one… Read More
2017-03-22 03:53
The senses of smell and taste are closely related. Working together they can both alert us to dangers and enhance our enjoyment or dislike of certain foods. Our tongues are covered in thousa… Read More
2017-03-22 03:53
Optic neuritis (ON) is an inflammation of the optic nerve, a bundle of fibers that transmits visual information from your eye to your brain. Symptoms of ON are varied, often including pain b… Read More
2017-03-22 03:53
People living with MS can experience different types of pain in the limbs (legs or arms), the most common of which are neuropathic or musculoskeletal in origin. Neuropathic pain in MS is fre… Read More
2017-03-22 03:53
Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) is enough to make your head spin. The amount of information available regarding MS and its symptoms is downright dizzying. But MS doesn’t j… Read More
2017-03-22 03:53
Distinguishing between the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and those of other conditions can be difficult at times. One year after I was diagnosed with MS, I began to experience problems… Read More
2017-03-22 03:53
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) have special needs when it comes to physical rehabilitation. Physical therapists who specialize in neurological disorders have the training, skills, and e… Read More
2017-03-20 21:03
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex demyelinating disease of the central nervous system for which there is no single diagnostic test. Common tools used to diagnose MS include the neurologic… Read More
2017-03-20 21:03
What is cerebrospinal fluid?The central nervous system (CNS) is bathed in a clear, colorless liquid, called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), that cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord. C… Read More
2017-03-20 21:03
Before I was officially diagnosed, I had undergone several of these tests multiple times. For example, I had six MRI scans between the first time my vision “seemed off” in 1994… Read More
2017-03-20 21:03
Medical research and new medications dominated the top multiple sclerosis (MS) news stories of 2016. From the 21st Century Cures Act to new drug approvals and increased research funding, peo… Read More
2017-03-20 21:03
Read this post in its entirety:2016 MS HealthCentral: A Year in Review Read More
2017-03-20 21:03
The start of a New Year is often a bright moment — a chance to look ahead and make grand resolutions and promises to ourselves for the months to come. For me, the new year brings excit… Read More
2017-03-20 21:03
Building a strong health care team begins with YOU as you recruit team members with the skills and expertise to function in a coordinated way to provide you with the best care. As you work i… Read More
2017-03-20 21:03
Build a coordinated health care teamMS is a disease that can directly or indirectly affect almost any area of the body connected through the central nervous system. Your basic health care te… Read More
2017-03-20 16:18
Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience urinary problems at some point. Common problems associated with MS, often caused by neurogenic bladder, include frequent urination, urinar… Read More
2017-03-20 16:18
The holiday season offers many opportunities to relax, party, shop, spend time with family and friends, travel, eat lots of goodies, and have fun. However, for people living with chronic dis… Read More
2017-03-20 16:18
Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multi-step process that can take anywhere from days to years. Unfortunately, MS is not a condition where you walk into your primary care doc… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are important tools in the fight against multiple sclerosis. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved 14 DMTs: 13 therapies for th… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
Exercise is an important part of multiple sclerosis management. Exercise not only helps cardiovascular health, it can increase strength and flexibility, reduce spasticity and fatigue, and im… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
How do lifestyle, medication, and demographics affect people with multiple sclerosis? Answers to this question are the focus of international, internet-based research conducted by George Jel… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
For years, research efforts into effective treatments for primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) have been frustrating. While we have 14 FDA-approved disease-modifying therapies (DMTs… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
Multiple sclerosis is a disease which affects people in many different ways. For some, it can be relatively mild, while for others it can be very aggressive and cause high levels of disabili… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
Does smoking play a role in multiple sclerosis (MS)? Several studies have investigated possible connections between tobacco smoke and MS. A 2015 brochure written by Tiffani Stroup and publis… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
Since the first disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for multiple sclerosis (MS) was approved by the FDA in 1993, medications for MS have been developed to slow down the disease. Many have been s… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields to generate images. The standard imaging protocol in MS suggests use of a minimum 3 Tesla (3T) "closed machine" for best results. The imaging sequence… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
One of the most mysterious things about multiple sclerosis (MS) is the wide variety of symptoms and lack of uniformity in disability progression. Although some symptoms can be traced to lesi… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
I remember when several of us MS bloggers had a chance to meet in person for the first time. Meeting face to face and getting to know one another was a transformative experience; since that… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
Discussions about end-of-life issues are often taboo in our culture — until we are "suddenly" faced with unpleasant realities and challenging decisions. Although many deaths occur unex… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
Do you believe you have the power and skills to complete tasks and accomplish specific goals? If so, you have a high level of self-efficacy. People with high self-efficacy may be said to hav… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
People who are newly diagnosed with MS are often interested in learning as much as possible about what they can do NOW to fight the disease. In addition to learning about MS and discussing d… Read More
2017-03-20 16:03
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system. There are traditionally four forms of the disease that include relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS)… Read More
2017-03-20 04:34
During relapses in multiple sclerosis, new or worsening symptoms exacerbate (or flare) as the disease ramps up. To qualify as a relapse, the symptoms must last for more than 24-48 hours (opi… Read More
2017-03-20 04:34
Caregiving is a special skill that some choose to develop professionally, but one that others learn out of necessity.According to the Caregiver Action Network, there are 65 million family ca… Read More
2017-03-20 04:34
One of the most visible consequences of multiple sclerosis is an impaired ability to walk. At some point during the course of the disease, the majority of people with MS (up to 87 percent) e… Read More
2017-03-20 04:34
What we eat can make a huge difference in how we feel; what we don’t eat can also have an impact. Although there is no one multiple sclerosis (MS) diet, there are several different app… Read More
2017-03-20 04:34
Many people with multiple sclerosis take advantage of complementary and alternative medicine. Mind-body techniques are especially popular, particularly yoga. But some people with MS may worr… Read More
2017-03-20 04:34
People living with multiple sclerosis are at increased risk of sleep disturbances, which can lead to daytime sleepiness and fatigue. The most common sleep problems associated with MS include… Read More
2017-03-20 04:34
Protecting yourself from illness is important, especially when you live with multiple sclerosis.Being ill when you have MS can mess with your body. When you have an infection, fever, or beco… Read More
2017-03-20 04:34
The more we learn about healthy aging, the better equipped we will be to focus on important aspects of life now that can make a difference in our quality of life later. The number of people… Read More
2017-03-20 04:34
Previous generations of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis didn’t have many treatment options. The phrase ‘diagnose and adios’ became popular in the MS community for… Read More
2017-03-19 18:41
Rosalind Kalb of the National MS Society stated at the Consortium of MS Centers conference in June 2016 that there is no clear definition of what constitutes advanced MS. The term is used qu… Read More
2017-03-19 18:41
Multiple sclerosis is often diagnosed in young adults during their prime reproductive years. So pregnancy and parenthood are common concerns for many people living with multiple sclerosis. C… Read More
2017-03-19 18:41
Diagnosing multiple sclerosis is not a simple process, and even experienced doctors make mistakes. Even with improved testing tools and more detailed diagnostic criteria, MS misdiagnosis rem… Read More
2017-03-19 18:41
Symptoms of MS can include fatigue, weakness, impaired posture, and difficulties with movement and cognition. Symptomatic treatment of MS often combines medication, rehabilitation, exercise… Read More
2017-03-19 18:41
Disease activity during pregnancyFor some women with MS, pregnancy brings about fewer MS symptoms. This may be due to the body’s immune system being more tolerant of the growing human… Read More
2017-03-19 18:41
People living with more advanced MS develop special needs.Family and friends often provide care and become a major source of assistance for people with MS as their disease advances and disab… Read More
2017-03-19 18:41
Diagnosing multiple sclerosis is not as easy as undergoing an MRI scan and having a neurologist watch you walk; instead, it is a challenging process, and neurologists want to get it right. O… Read More
2017-03-19 18:41
Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that is often marked by changes in the brain. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), these changes can appear as… Read More
2017-03-19 18:41
Multiple sclerosis is associated with malfunctioning nerves in the central nervous system (CNS) caused by demyelination. That means the protective lining around your nerves has become damage… Read More
2017-03-19 18:41
What do large parties, grocery stores, and movie theaters have in common? Lots and lots of sensory stimuli delivering a potentially overwhelming combination of sounds, smells, lights, colors… Read More
2017-03-19 18:40
Stem cell therapy continues to show promise as an effective treatment for more advanced multiple sclerosis, albeit not without risk. Results from studies that have been ongoing for many year… Read More
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