What is MS?
A disease of the central nervous system, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) primarily strikes young adults ages 20-40. With MS, the patient’s white blood cells attack the myelin, which insulates and conducts messages between the brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body, causing inflammation, eventual scarring and possible nerve destruction. The message is either partially or totally interrupted, resulting in one or more of these symptoms: Numbness, tingling, pain, loss of balance/coordination, problems with memory and cognition, depression, inability to function in heat, vision problems, choking and swallowing, hearing difficulties and bowel and bladder weaknesses.
Types of MS:
- Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) symptoms come and go. Relapses are temporary periods when the disease is “active”. These periods may be referred to as flare ups or exacerbations and typically last a few days to months.
- Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS) symptoms steadily worsen with or without relapses and remissions.
- Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) is rare and found in about 10% of the MS population. Symptoms slowly but continually worsen from the onset.
- Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS) is rare and affects about 5% of the MS population. Symptoms are steadily worsening of the disease with acute relapses with or without recovery.
How is MS Diagnosed?
- MPH (Medical and Physical History)
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- ERTS (Evoked Response Tests)
- Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture)
- CSF Collection (Cerebrospinal Fluid Collections)
Treatment Options:
There is no cure. Medical advancements offer options from naturopathic symptom management to conventional approaches.A message from the MSSP:
A diagnosis of MS can be frightening. It’s at these times you need someone to help you navigate the road ahead, moment by moment. That's where the MSSP comes in to provide comfort and support.The following links are offered as a service to the MS community. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Portland Oregon, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the methods of treatment, therapy, medications, or products on these sites or any sites linked to MSSP’s Internet site. As always, consult with your doctor when considering a change in your treatment regimen.
Resources for treatments and information:
- Johns Hopkins Health Information Site
- Mayo Health Clinic
- Medical Marijuana Guide
- National Institute of Neurological Disease & Stroke
- OHSU: The Multiple Sclerosis Center of Oregon
- Providence Multiple Sclerosis Center
- The Swank Diet
- University of Washington School of Medicine
- WebMD
Disease Modifying Drugs
- Aubagio - teriflunomide
- Avonex - interferon beta-1a
- Betaseron - interferon beta-1b
- Copaxone - glatiramer acetate injection
- Extavia - interferon beta-1b
- Gilenya - fingolimod
- Lemtrada - alemtuzumab
- Plegridy - peginterferon beta-1a
- Rebif - interferon beta-1a
- Tecfidera - dimethyl fumarate
- Tysabri - natalizumab
- Ocrevus
Symptom Management
Bladder Problems
- Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A)
- DDAVP Nasal Spray (desmopressin)
- Detrol (tolterodine)
- Ditropan (oxybutynin), Ditropan XL
- Enablex (darifenacin)
- Flomax (tamsulosin)
- Hytrin (terazosin)
- Minipress (prazosin)
- Oxytrol (oxybutynin)
- Pro-Banthine (propantheline)
- Sanctura (trospium chloride)
- Tofranil (imipramine)
- Vesicare (solifenacin succinate)
Bowel Dysfunction
- Colace (docusate)
- Dulcolax (bisacodyl)
- Enemeez (docusate stool softener laxative)
- Fleet Enema (sodium phosphate)
- Mineral Oil
- Metamucil (psyllium hydrophilic musilloid)
- Phillips Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide)
- Sani-Supp suppository (gylcerin)
Depression
- Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride)
- Effexor (velafaxine)
- Paxil (paroxetine)
- Prozac (fluoxetine)
- Wellbutrin (bupropion)
- Zoloft (sertraline)
Dizziness and Vertigo
Emotional Changes
Fatigue
Itching
Pain
- Dilantin (phenytoin)
- Elavil (amitriptyline)
- Klonopin (clonazepam)
- Neurontin (gabapentin)
- Pamelor; Aventyl (nortriptyline)
- Tegetrol (carbamazepine)
Sexual Problems
- Cialis (tadalafil)
- Levitra (vardenafil)
- Papaverine
- MUSE (alprostadil)
- Prostin VR (alprostadil)
- Viagra (sildenafil)
Spasticity
- Dantrium (dantrolene)
- Gablofen (baclofen [intrathecal])
- Klonopin (clonazepam)
- Lioresal (baclofen)
- Valium (diazepam)
- Zanaflex (tizanidine)
Tremors
Walking (Gait) Difficulties
Other Links of Interest...
We Help Seniors Stay Fit & Active
- Best Mobility Exercises for Seniors
- Downloadable PDFs for 21 Types of Seniors Exercises
- Free Wheelchairs & Free Mobility Scooters in the US
- Free Transportation for Senior Citizens: Complete Guide to US Programs
From HealthMatch: "What You Need To Know About Insomnia"
Advertiser Disclosure Multiple Sclerosis Awareness: How You Can Make a Difference
The MS Hug Explained: Description, Symptoms, and Causes
Pacific Medical Training "The Nervous System"
Tuck is a community devoted to improving sleep hygiene, health and wellness through the creation and dissemination of comprehensive, unbiased, free web-based resources. Tuck has been featured on The Washington Post, HuffPost, NBC News, CNN, NPR, Lifehacker, and Radiolab and is referenced by many colleges/universities and sleep organizations across the web.
CaringBridge is a nonprofit offering many ways for people to care for each other during any type of health event:
Caring Bridge
"Regain your independence and enjoy mobility again! Our mission is to provide trained Collies to assist people living with balance and mobility challenges caused by Multiple Sclerosis. Since 1990, our collies have provided assistance with mobility and balance – allowing their partners to conserve energy while increasing their independence and safety. Kings Valley Collies of Philomath, Oregon: confident affectionate companions, trustworthy, capable partners”
Kings Valley Collies