Friends With MS.comFriends With MS.com

Bringing you support and Bringing you support and information for Multiple information for Multiple

SclerosisSclerosis

What is MS?What is MS?

Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological disease that affects over 350,000 disease that affects over 350,000 Americans. Americans.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms may be mild such as system. Symptoms may be mild such as numbness in the limbs or severe paralysis, numbness in the limbs or severe paralysis, or loss of vision. It causes demyelization or loss of vision. It causes demyelization of the nerves in the Brain and Spinal cordof the nerves in the Brain and Spinal cord

Some Symptoms of MSSome Symptoms of MS

NumbnessNumbness

FatigueFatigue

WeaknessWeakness

Facial painFacial pain

Optic neuritis Optic neuritis

Color blindnessColor blindness

TremorsTremors

Muscle atrophyMuscle atrophy

Double visionDouble vision

DizzinessDizziness

VertigoVertigo

ConstipationConstipation

Bladder problemsBladder problems

SpasticitySpasticity

Restless leg Restless leg

DepressionDepression

Testing for Multiple SclerosisTesting for Multiple Sclerosis

Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI is the Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI is the most preferred diagnostic toolmost preferred diagnostic toolLumbar Puncture or spinal tap shows Lumbar Puncture or spinal tap shows proteins in the spinal fluid. Only 1/3proteins in the spinal fluid. Only 1/3rdrd of of those diagnosed with MS have these those diagnosed with MS have these proteins. If the proteins are not present it proteins. If the proteins are not present it does not mean you do not have MS.does not mean you do not have MS.Evoked Potential Study Evoked Potential Study Blood work is done to rule out other Blood work is done to rule out other diseases and disorders.diseases and disorders.

An MRI showing MS LesionsAn MRI showing MS Lesions

Magnetic Resonance Magnetic Resonance Imaging, (MRI) is done Imaging, (MRI) is done typically with and without typically with and without contrast so the neurologist contrast so the neurologist can compare images. MS can compare images. MS lesions glow and show up lesions glow and show up much easier with the much easier with the contrast injection. If you contrast injection. If you are allergic to shell fish are allergic to shell fish make sure you tell your make sure you tell your Doctor.Doctor.

Current Treatments to Slow the Current Treatments to Slow the progression of MSprogression of MS

Avonex (beta1a) once a week Avonex (beta1a) once a week intramuscular injectionintramuscular injection

Beta (Betaseron) every other day under Beta (Betaseron) every other day under the skin.the skin.

Copaxone (Glatiramer Acetate) daily Copaxone (Glatiramer Acetate) daily injection under the skininjection under the skin

Rebif 3xs a week under the skinRebif 3xs a week under the skin

Novantrone once every 3 months for about Novantrone once every 3 months for about 2 to 3 years 2 to 3 years (8 to 12 doses).(8 to 12 doses).

Types of MSTypes of MS

Benign Sensory MSBenign Sensory MS

Relapsing Remitting MSRelapsing Remitting MS

Relapsing Remitting with Secondary Relapsing Remitting with Secondary ProgressiveProgressive

Primary ProgressivePrimary Progressive

Credits:Credits:

Presentation by Veronica DavidsonPresentation by Veronica DavidsonInformation from the following sources:Information from the following sources:National MS SocietyNational MS SocietyMS Association of AmericaMS Association of AmericaInternational Journal of MS CareInternational Journal of MS CareMS Active SourceMS Active SourceSpecial thanks to everyone who has mailed in a donation Special thanks to everyone who has mailed in a donation to help with our costs or who have purchased items from to help with our costs or who have purchased items from our store. Your support means so much to all of those our store. Your support means so much to all of those fighting this disease. As long as Friends with MS.com is fighting this disease. As long as Friends with MS.com is online, we’re never alone!online, we’re never alone!