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Joining me this week is Brett Drummond, a scientist in Australia who stepped away from his lab to develop an online resource designed to bridge the gap between the MS patient community and the MS research community. The result of his efforts is MSTranslate. We're talking about this excellent curated MS information resource, and Brett even shares some insights into the MS research that he finds particularly exciting.   We're also talking about the research team that used human stem cells to create myelin-producing cells in a lab dish in just 3 weeks.   We'll tell you what a University of Washington Rehabilitation Medicine research team learned when they surveyed people living with MS about their level of distress during the first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic.   Wouldn't it be convenient if MS progression could be measured by analyzing how you type on your smartphone? We'll tell you about the study that asked that question.   We'll also share new discoveries from the Avonex clinical trial that show MS-related brain atrophy can be predicted 10 years before it occurs.   And as we approach Thanksgiving in the U.S., we're sharing the things that we're thankful for this year.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! Being thankful in 2020  :22 Myelin-producing cells created in a lab dish in 3 weeks  5:43 UW Rehabilitation Medicine surveyed people living with MS on their feelings of distress & risk perception in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic  6:57 Measuring MS progression by typing on your smartphone   9:06 Study shows neurofilament light chain level at the first MS episode predicts future brain atrophy  10:43 My interview with Brett Drummond  14:54 Share this episode  37:13 Donate to the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  37:34 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  https://realtalkms.com/169 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) MSTranslate STUDY: Generation of Oligodendrocytes and Establishment of an All-Human Myelinating Platform for Human Pluripotent Stem Cells STUDY: Distress and Risk Perception in People Living With Multiple Sclerosis During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic STUDY: Early-Warning Signals for Disease Activity in Patients Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis Based on Keystroke Dynamics STUDY: Association of Serum Neurofilament Light Levels with Long-Term Brain Atrophy in Patients With a First Multiple Sclerosis Episode National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 169 Guests: Brett Drummond Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, MSActivist, MSTranslate, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy  

Today, remyelination holds real promise as a strategy for restoring lost function and slowing or even stopping MS progression.  This week, we're taking a deep dive into the current state of remyelination research.  Joining me are Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, the Hazel Prior Hostetler Professor of Neurology at the Cleveland Clinic and the director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, and Dr. Ian Duncan, a neuroscientist, and Professor of Neurology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the recipient of the 2020 Dystel Prize for MS Research.   We're also talking about the publication of the Atlas of MS, the most extensive global MS prevalence study to date. And we're even including a copy of the published study as bonus content in the RealTalk MS app!   We're sharing an excellent explanation of comorbidities in MS by Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie. And we're sharing some news about Dr. Marrie, as well.   The European MS Platform's annual conference begins Thursday. This year, the theme is Understanding Progressive MS. We'll tell you how and where to register for this free virtual event. And we'll remind you where you can register for next week's virtual 2020 MS-CONNECT conference, hosted by the MS Society of Canada.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! Veterans with MS are eligible to join the PVA  :22 The largest MS prevalence study to date has been published. And it's yours in the RealTalk MS app!  3:26 Dr. Ruth Ann Marie on comorbidities in MS   4:29 European MS Platform Annual Conference: Understanding Progressive MS begins Thursday   5:56 MS Society of Canada 2020 MS-CONNECT Conference begins next Monday  6:56 Dr. Jeffrey Cohen talks about remyelination  9:13 Dr. Ian Duncan talks about the science behind remyelination  21:48 Share this episode  31:31 Donate to the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  31:52 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/168 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) Paralyzed Veterans Of America VIDEO: Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie on comorbidities in MS Register for the European MS Platform Annual Conference: Understanding Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Register for the MS Society of Canada's 2020 MS-CONNECT Conference National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 168 Guests: Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, Dr. Ian Duncan Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, MSActivist, EMSPVirtual2020, MSConnect, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

November 11 is Veterans Day in the United States, giving us an opportunity to honor the men and women who have served in America's armed forces. More than 70,000 U.S. veterans are living with MS, and joining me on the podcast is Karla Clay, an Air Force veteran, and a National Veterans Wheelchair Games multiple medal winner. We're talking about the life-changing turn that Karla's MS journey ended up taking.  As of today, the fate of the Affordable Care Act and the legal protections for people with pre-existing conditions are in the hands of the Supreme Court. So we're also talking about The 100 Days Agenda: A Patient-First Blueprint. This document is the result of a collaboration between the National MS Society and 33 other patient organizations and it provides specific steps that the President and other elected officials can take to protect access to adequate, affordable insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.   We'll tell you about a study that identifies a potential new risk associated with disease-modifying therapies for people living with MS who are over the age of 45.   And the month of November is loaded with outstanding webinars and conferences featuring some of the leading MS experts in the world. The good news is that you can virtually attend all of these online events at no charge, from the comfort of your own home. We're sharing all the details and we'll tell you where to register for each one!   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! As of today, the legal protections for people with pre-existing conditions is in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court  :22 National MS Society and 33 other patient organizations publish The 100 Days Agenda: A Patient-First Blueprint  2:25 Study identifies a potential new DMT risk for people living with MS who are over the age of 45   3:34 November is loaded with outstanding webinars and conferences that you can attend virtually...for FREE!  5:04 International Progressive MS Alliance Global Webcast: Speeding Life-Changing Treatments for Progressive MS  5:25 National Alliance for Caregiving and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving webinar: Flattening the Caregiver Crisis Curve  5:57 European MS Platform Annual Conference: Understanding Progressive MS  7:52 MS Society of Canada 2020 MS-CONNECT Conference  8:48 My Interview with Karla Clay, Capt USAF (Ret)  9:41 Share this episode  31:09 Donate to the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  31:28 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/167 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) National Veterans Wheelchair Games Paralyzed Veterans Of America U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Multiple Sclerosis Centers Of Excellence The 100 Days Agenda: A Patient-First Blueprint STUDY: Age-Related Adverse Events of Disease-Modifying Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis: A Meta-Regression Register for the International Progressive MS Alliance Global Webcast: Speeding Life-Changing Treatments for Progressive MS Register for Flattening the Caregiver Crisis Curve Register for the European MS Platform Annual Conference: Understanding Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Register for the MS Society of Canada's 2020 MS-CONNECT Conference National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 167 Guests: Karla Clay, Capt USAF (Ret) Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, MSActivist, VeteransDay, EMSPVirtual2020, MSConnect, Caregiving, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

Almost everything that we've learned about multiple sclerosis is the result of people with MS choosing to participate in clinical research. When it comes to MS and most every other chronic illness, clinical research is the common denominator of all medical progress.      This week, we're breaking down the details of MS clinical research with my guests, Dr. Sandi Cassard, a research associate in the Neurology department at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Diane Kramer, who has participated in more than 20 research studies since being diagnosed with MS in 2010.    After analyzing COVID-19 MS patient registries and studies from countries around the world, the MS International Federation has issued updated COVID-19 guidance for people living with MS. We'll tell you about it -- and if you've downloaded the RealTalk MS app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, you'll receive your own copy of this detailed guidance under the Bonus Content tab!   We also have some final words before election day to share with our listeners in the U.S. And they're not even our words!    We'll share the results of a study that may offer a clue as to why African-Americans with MS are likely to experience more relapses, greater disability, and often require mobility assistance earlier in their disease course when compared to Caucasians with MS.   You'll also hear about an MRI study that shows Hispanics with MS are at a higher risk for developing more aggressive forms of MS at an earlier age when compared to Caucasians with MS.   And you'll meet a true difference-maker when you meet Nightingale Award recipient and founder of MS Bright Spots of Hope, Michelle Keating.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! Have you checked out MSTranslate?  1:03 Healthcare is on the ballot! Have you voted yet???  3:42 MSIF issues updated COVID-19 guidance for people living with MS    9:38 Researchers discover 2 gene variants that may help explain why African-Americans with MS often have a more severe disease course than Caucasians with MS  10:58 A study shows that Hispanics with MS are at a higher risk of developing more aggressive forms of MS at an earlier age.  12:44 My Interview with MS researcher Dr. Sandi Cassard and Diane Kramer  14:57 My Interview with Nightingale Award recipient and founder of MS Bright Spots of Hope Michelle Keating  24:08 Share this episode  35:52 Donate to the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  36:12 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/165 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) MSTranslate MSIF Global COVID-19 Advisory for People with MS STUDY: Two Genetic Variants Explain the Association of European Ancestry with Multiple Sclerosis Risk in African-Americans UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Project STUDY: Brain MRI Finds Hispanic Patients Develop More Aggressive MS MS Bright Spots of Hope National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 165 Guests: Dr. Sandi Cassard, Diane Kramer, and Michelle Keating Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, MSActivist,  RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

MS doesn't only affect individuals. It affects families. And that's probably most clear when we're talking about pediatric MS. The National MS Society estimates that there are about 5,000 diagnosed cases of pediatric MS in the United States and less than 10,000 cases worldwide, but those numbers become far less important when your child is one of those diagnosed cases. We're taking a deep dive into pediatric MS with Hannah Schnitzler, who lives with pediatric MS, Hannah's mom, Melissa Fisher, and pediatric MS expert Dr. Brenda Banwell.   We're also talking about study results that show a simple sugar that's available over the counter is effective in preventing myelin degeneration in the mouse model of MS. And we'll tell you how a research team at the University of Chicago went about designing a novel MS therapy that's been demonstrated to promote myelin repair and even stop MS from developing in the mouse model of MS.    You'll hear about the first oral disease-modifying therapy that's been approved to treat active secondary progressive MS in England, Wales, and Scotland. And we'll tell you how you can be a part of future MS research projects.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! Study shows an over-the-counter simple sugar promotes myelin repair in mouse model of MS  1:31 Researchers design a new MS therapy that reduces MS symptoms and even prevents MS from developing in mouse model of MS  3:15 Mayzent approved for treating secondary progressive MS in England, Wales, and Scotland    5:28 Register to participate in future research at the University of Washington MS Rehabilitation & Wellness Center  6:38 Online survey for parents of a child living with pediatric MS  8:02 My Interview with pediatric MS patient Hannah Schnitzler and her mom  9:22 My Interview with pediatric MS expert Dr. Brenda Banwell  21:57 Share this episode  42:00 Donate to the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  42:21 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  https://realtalkms.com/164 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) STUDY: N-acetylglucosamine Drives Myelination By Triggering Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cell Differentiation STUDY: Prolonged Residence of an Albumin-IL-4 Fusion Protein in Secondary Lymphoid Organs Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis SURVEY: University of Washington Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation & Wellness Center Research Participant Survey SURVEY: Parents of a Child with Pediatric MS (English) SURVEY: Parents of a Child with Pediatric MS (Spanish) National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 164 Guests: Hannah Schnitzler, Melissa Fisher & Dr. Brenda Banwell Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, MSActivist, PediatricMS, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

The ECTRIMS (European Committee for Treatment & Research in MS) meeting is the largest MS research conference in the world. This year, of course, the ECTRIMS conference was virtual, and so was my conversation with Dr. Bruce Bebo, the Executive Vice President of Research at the National MS Society. Join us in this special episode of RealTalk MS as we take a deep dive into the research breakthroughs that will lead to treatments designed to stop MS progression, restore lost function, and end MS forever.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  https://realtalkms.com/163 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 163 Guests: Dr. Bruce Bebo Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, MSVirtual2020, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

We're in the midst of the fall MS conference season, and while all the conferences are virtual, there's still lots of news to share. This week, we're talking with EJ Levy, the Founder and President of MS Hope for a Cure, about Big October 2020.      We're also talking about MS rehabilitation science with Dr. Kathy Zackowski, the Senior Director of Patient Management, Care, & Rehabilitation Research at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Our wide-ranging conversation includes updates from the 10th International Symposium on Gait & Balance in MS, rehabilitation for people living with progressive MS, and evidence-based best practices when it comes to the physical wellness, nutritional wellness, and emotional wellness of people living with MS.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! It's MS research conference season!  :22 Big October starts today  :45 My interview with EJ Levy, the Founder & President of MS Hope for a Cure    2:13 Participate today in the National MS Society's Economic Impact Survey (and why it's so important!)  16:57 10th International Symposium on Gait & Balance in MS  18:48 My Interview with Dr. Kathy Zackowski  20:18 Share this episode  36:59 Donate to the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  37:20 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  https://realtalkms.com/162 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) Big October 2020 Health Behaviors, Wellness, and Multiple Sclerosis Amid COVID-19 National MS Society Survey: The Economic Impact of MS National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 162 Guests: EJ Levy & Dr. Kathy Zackowski Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, MSActivist, BigOctober2020, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

A lot of us may have to think back to a time before the pandemic to remember what it felt like to get a good night's sleep. But if you're someone living with MS, you might have to think back even further. Research tells us that more than half the people living with MS report significant disruptions in their sleep and difficulty maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. And that can lead to additional health issues along with an overall decline in quality of life and wellbeing.     My guest is Dr. Katie Siengsukon,  a physical therapist, Associate Professor, and Director of the Sleep, Health, and Wellness Lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science. We're talking about the importance of sleep to your overall health, how sleep problems affect MS, and the steps you can take if you're experiencing sleep problems.    We're also talking about how the things that people affected by MS care most about really boil down to public policy decisions, making MS advocacy a critical element of this podcast. And while we're on the subject of advocacy, we're sharing our rant about a recently announced "healthcare plan" for the United States.   You'll hear about what I'm calling a wellness roadmap for people living with MS.   We'll give you the details of a newly-announced collaboration designed to produce a diagnostic test for a protein called neurofilament light chain -- and why that will be a game-changer for people living with MS.   And we'll tell you about a clinical trial that will be starting soon for a therapy designed to reduce or eliminate MS disease activity by re-educating your immune system.    We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! Why it's always about MS advocacy  1:25 My rant about the "healthcare plan" that was just announced  5:00 Maintaining your physical, nutritional, and emotional wellness amid COVID-19    11:57 Here comes a diagnostic test for neurofilament light chain...and why it will be a game-changer for people living with MS  16:57 "Re-educating" your immune system. A Phase 1 clinical trial for ANK-700 begins soon  19:44 My Interview with Dr. Katie Siengsukon  22:17 Share this episode  34:44 Donate to the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  35:07 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  https://realtalkms.com/161 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vote.gov Health Behaviors, Wellness, and Multiple Sclerosis Amid COVID-19 RealTalk MS Episode 142: New Guidelines for Exercise & Physical Activity from the National MS Society RealTalk MS Episode 159: Building Resilience with Dr. Dawn Ehde Anokion: What is Immune Tolerance? National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 161 Guests: Dr. Katie Siengsukon Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, MSActivist, Sleep, Vote, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

This past weekend, 8,000 MS research scientists and clinicians gathered virtually for the joint meeting of the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. Known as ECTRIMS, this year's conference was appropriately re-branded as MSVirtual2020.   We're talking about great presentations on the MS prodrome (and we'll explain what that is and why it's important), when it might be time to discontinue MS disease-modifying therapies, some encouraging progressive MS clinical trial results, the new number for global MS prevalence, and more!   We have a lot to talk about. Welcome to MSVirtual2020! The MS Prodrome  :56 When is it appropriate to discontinue disease-modifying therapy in MS?    4:18 Study shows Masitinib slows disability progression in progressive MS  6:49 Multiple Sclerosis International Federation announces the Atlas of MS, with Clare Walton  9:08 Study shows disease-modifying therapy may delay disability progression and time until people with primary progressive MS need a wheelchair  20:55 Study analyzes benefits of Wahls Diet & Swank Diet  22:47 Atara BioTherapeutics shares initial data from its ATA-188 cell therapy clinical trial, with Dr. AJ Joshi  24:07 Share this episode  40:17 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/MSVirtual2020 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Bonus Episode:  Guests: Clare Walton, Dr. AJ Joshi Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, MSVirtual2020, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

Disease-modifying therapies are the cornerstone of any effective MS treatment plan. But with more than 20 approved prescription medications available today, the choices can seem overwhelming.   People living with MS have questions -- Do you start out with a safe but less effective medication, or do you hit MS hard with a high-efficacy drug that may carry more risks? When is the right time to consider switching medications, and how do you have that conversation with your neurologist? Do things like other health conditions affect which disease-modifying therapy you're on? And what about aging?    My guest is Dr. Scott Newsome, an Associate Professor of Neurology, and Director of Neurosciences Consultation and Infusion Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Dr. Newsome also serves as the Co-Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Experimental Therapeutics Program at Johns Hopkins.  And I'm devoting this entire episode of RealTalk MS to taking a deep-dive into disease-modifying therapies with Dr. Newsome.   We'll also give you the details about two major events taking place this week -- the MSVirtual2020 conference and the Keep Moving Forward benefit celebrating the MS Movement.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! ECTRIMS + ACTRIMS = MSVirtual2020  :24 Don't miss Keep Moving Forward  1:08 My Interview with Dr. Scott Newsome  1:38 Share this episode  33:06 Leave a rating & review  33:26 Please Support the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  34:45 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  realtalkms.com/158 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 158 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guests: Dr. Scott Newsome Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, Tecfidera, Ocrevus, Kesimpta, Copaxone, Gilenya, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy    

One of the very few bright spots to emerge during the COVID-19 pandemic is the overall effectiveness and efficiency of telemedicine. And although people living with MS and their doctors have largely hailed telemedicine as a success, there are significant obstacles to overcome before it can become a permanent part of our healthcare system.     My guest is Mei Wa Kwong, the Executive Director of the Center for Connected Health Policy, and we're talking about the things that need to happen to ensure that telemedicine remains a viable means of healthcare delivery.   We're also talking about a study that demonstrates that playing a video game can improve cognitive function for people with MS.   We'll tell you about the research team that has identified the specific areas in the brain where the neurological changes triggered by fatigue actually occur, and why that's a good thing for people living with MS.   Over 1,000 people living with MS completed the global vsMS survey. We'll share the key results with you.   We'll also give you the details about a small MRI study that shows one way that the brains of African-Americans with MS are affected differently than the brains of Caucasians with MS. And we'll remind you about where you can register for the upcoming National MS Society's Black MS Experience Summit.   And we're inviting you to Keep Moving Forward, a virtual benefit to celebrate the MS Movement. You won't want to miss this!   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! A study shows that a video game can improve cognitive function for people with MS  2:25 Researchers identify areas of the brain that are affected by fatigue  5:09 Results of the global vsMS survey remind us of all the ways that MS interrupts lives    7:04 MRI study shows one way that MS affects the brains of African-Americans differently than Caucasians  9:30 National MS Society to convene the Black MS Experience Summit  10:50 You're invited to Keep Moving Forward, a virtual benefit to celebrate the MS Movement  11:56 My Interview with Mei Wa Kwong  13:31 Share this episode  23:48 Leave a rating & review  24:09 Please Support the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  24:51 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  https://realtalkms.com/157 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) The Center for Connected Health Policy STUDY: A Novel In-Home Digital Treatment to Improve Processing Speed in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study STUDY: Neural Mechanisms Underlying the Effects of Physical Fatigue on Effort-Based Choice Effects of Multiple Sclerosis on Daily Activities, Emotional Well-being, and Relationships: The Global vsMS Survey STUDY: African Americans Experience Disproportionate Neurodegenerative Changes in the Medulla and Upper Cervical Spinal Cord in Early Multiple Sclerosis National MS Society Black MS Experience Summit Keep Moving Forward: A Benefit to Celebrate the MS Movement National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 157 Guests: Ms. Mei Wa Kwong Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, Telehealth, vsMS, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

Whether you call it brain fog, cog-fog, or you don't happen to have a name for it, cognitive dysfunction affects more than half of all the people with MS.   Joining me once again is Dr. Meghan Beier, a Rehabilitation Neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Beier specializes in cognitive rehabilitation and neuropsychological assessment and intervention and she's back to answer more of our questions about managing the cognitive issues typically associated with MS.     We're also talking about Kesimpta (ofatumumab), the high-efficacy b-cell disease-modifying therapy that just received FDA approval.   We'll tell you about the case study of a patient who lost their vaccination immunity to the Varicella-Zoster virus (causes chickenpox & shingles) after receiving their first Ocrevus infusion.   We'll give you the details about the generic for Tecfidera that's going to be available in just a few weeks. And we'll tell you why the U.S. Department of Justice is suing Teva, the manufacturer of Copaxone.   We'll share all the details and let you know where to register for the National MS Society's Black MS Experience Summit.   And we'll tell you how a research team from Facebook (yup -- you read that right!) and New York University is hoping to speed up MRI exams.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! We're trending!  :22 FDA approves ofatumumab (Kesimpta) for treating relapsing-remitting MS and active secondary-progressive MS  3:53 Patient loses vaccination immunity for Varicella-Zoster virus after Ocrevus infusion    5:44 Generic for Tecfidera will be available in September  8:25 U.S. Department of Justice sues Coaxone manufacturer, Teva  9:18 National MS Society to convene the Black MS Experience Summit  12:24 Facebook & New York University research team develop artificial intelligence technology that will speed up MRI exams  13:26 My Interview with Dr. Meghan Beier  15:48 Share this episode  29:38 Leave a rating & review  29:58 Please Support the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  30:22 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  https://realtalkms.com/156 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) Varicella-Zoster Immunity Loss in Multiple Sclerosis Patient Treated with Ocrelizumab National MS Society Black MS Experience Summit National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 156 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guests: Dr. Meghan Beier Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, Tecfidera, Ocrevus, Kesimpta, Ofatumumab, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

Being a caregiver can be stressful in the best of circumstances. And life certainly doesn't get any easier or less burdensome for a family caregiver during a global pandemic. Research shows that COVID-19 is adding to the long list of things that caregivers worry about, adding a whole new layer of stress and anxiety to the situations they face every day.     My guest this week is MaryAnne Sterling. MaryAnne is an expert on the challenges of family caregiving. And we're talking about ways that MS caregivers can offset stress and avoid burnout by incorporating self-care into their daily routine.   We're also talking about a UTSW research team that's identified a new target for minimizing inflammation in the central nervous system.    We're looking at some alarming results from a study that shows 1 in 5 MS patients fail to stay on their oral disease-modifying therapy. And we're sharing the details of a new at-home UTI test kit.    We don't want you to miss A&W's Burgers to Beat MS Day this Thursday, so we'll tell you how you can participate -- even if you're nowhere near an A&W!  And we'll share some of the alarming findings from a report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on family caregivers.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! Reelin' in a new treatment for Multiple Sclerosis  2:32 Study finds 1 in 5 MS patients don't stay on their oral DMT  5:50 At-Home UTI Test Kit launching in the U.K.   8:15 Thursday is Burgers to Beat MS Day!  10:18 Survey shows that COVID-19 has increased the pressure on caregivers  12:44 My Interview with MaryAnne Sterling  16:43 Share this episode  34:10 Please leave a rating & review  34:29 Please Support the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  34:52 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  https://realtalkms.com/155 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) STUDY: Reelin Depletion Protects Against Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis By Decreasing Vascular Adhesion of Leukocytes STUDY: Real-World Adherence to, and Persistence With, Once- and Twice-Daily Oral Disease-Modifying Drugs in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Burgers to Beat MS Caregiving and COVID-19 Report National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 155 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guests: MaryAnne Sterling Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, MSSocietyCA, Reelin, Caregiving, Caregiver RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

One of the things that people affected by MS seem to worry about every year is the flu vaccine. And the question is always the same -- is it safe for someone with MS to get a flu shot?  This year, that question and its accompanying anxiety are compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Is it safe for someone with MS to get a flu vaccination during the pandemic? Is it safe for someone with MS to get a COVID-19 vaccination when one becomes available? And what about the impact of MS disease-modifying therapies on the effectiveness of any vaccination?     My guest is Dr. John Ciotti, a board-certified neurologist and clinical fellow at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Ciotti is with us to answer those important questions. We're talking about flu shots and other vaccinations, and we're even talking about how a COVID-19 vaccine -- which doesn't exist today -- is likely going to affect people with MS who are on disease-modifying therapies. This is a conversation you don't want to miss because the perfect antidote to worrying is getting your hands on good, credible information.   We're also talking about the very positive outcomes of two clinical trials comparing ofatumumab to Aubagio. It's likely that next month, ofatumumab (Arzerra) is going to receive FDA approval for treating MS, so these clinical trial results are something you'll want to know about.   We'll share the results of a study that should give you the most important reason yet to include exercise as part of your regular routine and we'll point you toward the new exercise resources that have been created especially for people living with MS.    The National MS Society conducted a survey to measure how the COVID-19 pandemic was affecting people living with MS. We'll share some of the highlights from the survey and we'll even remind you where to find the resources that were requested most by survey respondents.   And we'll tell you about the very first study to measure the incidence of MS in China.    We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! National MS Society survey measured the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with MS  1:54 Clinical trial data shows ofatumumab outperforms Aubagio  4:08 Research shows that exercise preserves key areas of the brain among people with MS   6:53 Research team is first to report the incidence of MS in China  10:00 My Interview with Dr. John Ciotti  12:55 Share this episode  28:25 Please leave a rating & review  28:48 DUNK MS is happening Saturday!  29:01 Please Support the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  29:40 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/154 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) Effects of MS Disease-Modifying Therapies On Responses to Vaccinations: A Review RealTalk MS Episode #148: Updated guidance on COVID-19 and each of the available disease-modifying therapies STUDY: Ofatumumab vs Teriflunomide in Multiple Sclerosis STUDY: The Importance of Physical Activity to Preserve Hippocampal Volume in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Structural MRI Study National MS Society Recommendations for Exercise & Physical Activity For ALL People with MS VIDEO: Stretching Tips for MS VIDEO: Aerobic Exercise Tips for MS VIDEO: Breathing Exercise Tips for MS STUDY: Incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in China: A Nationwide Hospital-Based Study National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 154 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guests: Dr. John Ciotti Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, Vaccinations, COVID-19, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

MS patients experience better treatment outcomes when they actively participate in their own care. And that requires high health literacy. One of my guests is health literacy expert Dr. Kalina Sanders and we're talking about how being an informed patient can have a significant impact on the healthcare you receive.   A well-rounded MS treatment plan will include wellness practices like making smart food choices and adding exercise to your routine. But making changes to our health behaviors is challenging for everyone -- and maybe more challenging if you're already trying to manage a chronic illness like MS. My second guest is wellness coach Kate Costello and we're talking about how changing your health behaviors can be a lot easier when you have someone supporting you every step of the way.  We're also talking about the new guidelines for diagnosing and treating MS in Canada. We'll tell you about a 10-year study that shows that when motor skills decline, walking takes the first hit. Find out where to apply for the CAN-DO MS two-day Take Charge program for young adults and their support partners. And we'll tell you how (and why!) to share your voice about MS advocacy issues.    We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! Canadian MS Working Group issues new MS diagnosis & treatment guidelines  2:14 When motor skills decline, walking takes the first hit  4:14 The importance of health literacy with Dr. Kalina Sanders   6:33 CAN-DO MS announces two-day Take Charge program for young adults living with MS and their support partners  17:10 Add your voice to the National MS Society's public policy survey   19:16 My Interview with wellness coach Kate Costello  20:55 Share this episode  32:40 Leave a rating & review for RealTalk MS  32:59 Please Support the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  33:15 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  https://realtalkms.com/153 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) Kate Costello at Wildcrafted Wellness Treatment Optimization in Multiple Sclerosis: Canadian MS Working Group Recommendations STUDY: Ten Year Disease Progression in Multiple Sclerosis: Walking Declines More Rapidly than Arm and Hand Functioning CAN-DO MS Take Charge Program for Young Adults National MS Society Public Policy Survey National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 153 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guests: Dr. Kalina Sanders, Kate Costello Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

Cognitive decline and depression are two of the more common invisible symptoms of multiple sclerosis, impacting at least half of all the people living with MS.    My guest is Dr. Meghan Beier, an Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and a Rehabilitation Neuropsychologist. Dr. Beier specializes in cognitive rehabilitation and neuropsychological assessment and intervention, and she's going to share some specific strategies that you can use to best manage MS-related cognitive problems and depression.     We're also talking about the newly announced $16 million dollar investment from the National MS Society that will support 50 new MS research initiatives.   We'll tell you about a small pilot study that suggests that ketamine may be effective in treating MS fatigue. And if you're contemplating using a CBD product to help manage your MS, you'll want to hear what the FDA discovered when they checked the labels on 147 different CBD products.   We're even sharing a new, super-easy way for you to add your rating and review of RealTalk MS (and we'd love it if you would!).   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! Announcing the easiest way ever to leave a rating and review for RealTalk MS  :29 The National MS Society just invested $16 million in new MS research  3:14 Study shows that ketamine may be an effective treatment for MS fatigue   5:14 The FDA checked the labels of 147 CBD products  7:37 My Interview with Dr. Meghan Beier  13:31 Share this episode  30:57 Please Support the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  31:16 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/152 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) National MS Society's New MS Research Investments STUDY: Pilot Randomized Active-Placebo-Controlled Trial of Low-Dose Ketamine for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis-Related Fatigue Report to the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations and the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Sampling Study of the Current Cannabidiol Marketplace to Determine the Extent That Products are Mislabeled or Adulterated Contact an MS Navigator:      On The Web     By Phone: (800) 344-4867      By Email: contactusnmss@nmss.org National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 152 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guests: Dr. Meghan Beier Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

Pain and fatigue are two of the most common and challenging symptoms of MS. These are the symptoms that can stop you from fully engaging in your life at work, at home, with friends, or family.   My guest is Dr. Heidi Maloni. Dr. Maloni is a nurse practitioner and the National Clinical Nursing Director for the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence East at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, DC. And Dr. Maloni is an expert on treating pain and fatigue in MS.     Dr. Maloni will share some best practices for managing MS-related pain, we'll talk about some specific medications that can help manage MS-related pain, and we'll also get into the effectiveness of cannabis-based products for managing pain.   And when we talk about fatigue with Dr. Maloni, we'll talk about how to get your friends and family to stop telling you that you're probably just tired, and a nap will fix everything.   We're also talking about why access to affordable healthcare isn't shouldn't be a partisan political issue and what gets lost in the conversation when it is.   If you happen to be an African-American or Hispanic MS patient and you'd like to have a voice in the design of an important MS research study, we'll tell you how you can be a part of that study's Patient Advisory Group. It's an opportunity for the patient perspective to be part of the planning for this study. And it's an opportunity for you to be paid for your participation in that planning.   We'll also tell you about Sidecar, a dramatic short film from SHIFT-MS that illustrates the physical and emotional burden that accompanies MS progression.   And if you're an MS caregiver who would like to contribute to MS research, or you know someone who is, we'll tell you about an online survey just for you.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! Your access to healthcare shouldn't be a partisan issue, right?  2:25 Join the Patient Advisory Group for the CHIMES study  8:32 DUNK MS is going virtual and raising funds for MS research   10:24 SHIFT-MS debuts Sidecar, their latest short film  20:03 Are you an MS caregiver? There's an online survey for you  20:59 My Interview with Dr. Heidi Maloni  22:19 Share this episode  42:06 Please Support the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  42:26 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/151 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund CHIMES Study Patient Advisory Group questionnaire DUNK MS SIDECAR: A SHIFT-MS film about the misapprehensions of advanced multiple sclerosis Accelerated Cure Project for MS Survey: Caregiver Relationships with Healthcare Providers Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 151 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guests: Dr. Heidi Maloni, Blake Arnet Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, DunkMS, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

Conversations about MS almost always get around to the high cost of MS disease-modifying therapies. Joining me on the podcast is the CEO of Genentech, Alexander Hardy. Genentech is a biotech company that many of you know as the manufacturer of Ocrevus, the first approved disease-modifying therapy that treats both relapsing-remitting MS and primary progressive MS.   During our wide-ranging conversation, Alexander and I get into the cost of MS prescription medications, the real costs of bringing a new drug to market, racial disparities in clinical trials, inequities in our healthcare system, and more. It's a conversation that you won't want to miss.     We'll also tell you where you can get a FREE copy of Dr. Brandon Beaber's book, Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis, and where to sign up for the next series of Virtual Jumpstart programs from CAN-DO MS. We'll even share the details about this Sunday's Longest Day of Golf,  a creative (and very successful!) DIY fundraising event for the National MS Society.   We're also talking about a newly published study that shows that most relapsing-remitting MS disability accumulation is progressive and not tied to relapses.   And we'll tell you about another study that shows that most people living with MS want to discuss the cost of their treatment with their neurologist, but very few do. We'll even share our thoughts about how we can begin to fix this.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! It's Our 150th Episode!  :22 Get in Touch with RealTalk MS  1:36 Get Your Free Copy of Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis    3:34 CAN-DO MS Virtual Jumpstart Programs  4:43 The Longest Day of Golf Fundraising Event for the National MS Society  5:38 Study Finds Most Relapsing-Remitting MS Disability Accumulation Is Progressive and Not Tied to Relapses   7:29 Survey Shows Most MS Patients Want to Discuss the Cost of MS Care...But Don't  9:50 "Patients" are Customers!  11:31 My Interview with Alexander Hardy  13:09 Share this episode  29:31 Please Support the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  29:50 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  https://realtalkms.com/150 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund To receive a free copy of Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis, just jump onto Twitter, and request your copy by sending a Tweet to the author, @Brandon_Beaber. CAN-DO MS Virtual Jumpstart Programs Longest Day of Golf Fundraising Event for the National MS Society STUDY: Contribution of Relapse-Independent Progression vs Relapse-Associated Worsening to Overall Confirmed Disability Accumulation in Typical Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis in a Pooled Analysis of 2 Randomized Clinical Trials STUDY: Perceptions and Experiences of Multiple Sclerosis Patients Regarding Out-of-Pocket Costs of Care Discussions Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 150 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guests: Alexander Hardy Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, Genentech, Ocrevus, Resilience, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

The International Progressive MS Alliance is about to publish a paper that recommends advancing research on a specific biomarker to predict MS progression, and we're getting a pre-publication preview of what that paper is all about.   My guests are Dr. Robert Fox, a neurologist and Vice-Chair for Research at the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute, and Caroline Sincock, who lives with progressive MS. Both Doctor Fox and Caroline are members of the International Progressive MS Alliance Scientific Steering Committee and are among the authors of the new paper that we're going to preview.      We're also talking about the results of a study that show how increasing the energy in cells damaged by demyelination may stop MS progression.   We'll tell you why Mayzent failed to gain approval to treat active secondary progressive MS in England. We'll introduce you to the winner of the first Novartis Innovation Prize for Assistive Tech for Multiple Sclerosis. And we'll discuss study results that show that a protein in the blood called neurofilament light chain may predict MS progression.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! The 2020 ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS Virtual Conference  3:10 Boosting cellular energy at sites of myelin loss may stop MS progression  4:18 Why NICE failed to approve Mayzent to treat active secondary progressive MS    6:29 Novartis Innovation Prize awarded to AccessNow  9:04 Elevated neurofilament light chain may predict risk of MS progression  10:02 My Interview with Dr. Robert Fox and Caroline Sincock  11:27 Share this episode  42:11 Please Support the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  42:30 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email:  https://realtalkms.com/149 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund International Progressive MS Alliance STUDY: Enhanced Axonal Response of Mitochondria to Demyelination Offers Neuroprotection: Implications for Multiple Sclerosis AccessNow STUDY: Plasma Neurofilament Light Levels are Associated with Risk of Disability in Multiple Sclerosis Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 149 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guests: Dr. Robert Fox and Caroline Sincock Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy

The guidance for using MS disease-modifying therapies during the COVID-19 pandemic has been updated. My guest is Dr. Aaron Miller, the Chair of the National MS Society’s National Medical Advisory Committee, the Medical Director of the Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis, and a Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and we're talking about the new guidance for each and every MS disease-modifying therapy that's currently available.     Last week, in the middle of the night, protections for people with pre-existing health conditions came under attack. We'll let you know what it all means and what's at stake for every person in the U.S. living with MS.   We're also talking about the results of a study that show more people than ever are exploring alternative medicine in managing their MS symptoms. And we'll tell you about a new online MS Treatment Adherence Resource Center.   In last week's International Progressive MS Alliance global webcast, 3 top MS experts shared very encouraging news about the development of new life-changing treatments for progressive MS. We'll let you know where to find the video replay of the webcast. And while you're checking online video replays, we'll let you know where you can find a replay of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers' virtual Patient Education Program.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! In a late-night brief, the Trump administration asks the Supreme Court to invalidate Obamacare and eliminate protections for people with pre-existing health conditions  1:24 Catch the video replay of the International Progressive MS Alliance global webcast  6:04 Catch the video replay of the CMSC Patient Education Program    7:34 Survey says...Alternative medicine is widespread among people living with MS  8:19 MS Treatment Adherence Resource Center is launched  11:03 My Interview with Dr. Aaron Miller  13:06 Share this episode  23:26 Please Support the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  23:45 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/148 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.comPhone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Video Replay: International Progressive MS Alliance Webcast Video Replay: Consortium of MS Centers Patient Education Program STUDY: Cross-Sectional Survey of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Used in Oregon and Southwest Washington to Treat Multiple Sclerosis: A 17-Year Update MS Treatment Adherence Resource Center Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 148 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guests: Dr. Aaron Miller Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, COVID19, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy