RealTalk MS

MS is misdiagnosed too often, which leaves some people who  don't have MS receiving expensive disease-modifying therapy that they don't need, while leaving other people who do have MS still not receiving treatment with a disease-modifying therapy that will slow disability progression and preserve their quality of life longer. My guest, Dr. Andrew Solomon, is the lead author of a paper published by...

More than 70,000 U.S. veterans are living with MS. That's why the only federal funding specifically earmarked for MS research comes from the U.S. Department of Defense. It's why the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has established the Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence. And it's why, in 2019, the National MS Society established a strategic partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans...

Rachel Horne is a journalist who was diagnosed with MS in 2009. Since then, Rachel has developed a first-hand understanding of the knowledge gaps that remain when it comes to understanding the impact of MS on women's health and the impact of women's health issues on MS.  As Rachel reviewed MS research, she also observed that when it came to acknowledging outstanding MS research, it was rare that a...

With more than 9,000 MS researchers and clinicians in attendance, the 2023 combined ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS meeting in Milan was the largest MS research conference in the world. During the meeting, I had an opportunity to talk with some of the best and brightest minds in MS research and clinical practice. This is your invitation to listen in on my ECTRIMS EXTRA conversation with Dr. Robert Motl.  Dr. Motl...

With more than 9,000 MS researchers and clinicians in attendance, the 2023 combined ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS meeting in Milan was the largest MS research conference in the world. During the meeting, I had an opportunity to talk with some of the best and brightest minds in MS research and clinical practice. This is your invitation to listen in on my ECTRIMS EXTRA conversation with Dr. Daniel Ontaneda.  Dr....

With more than 9,000 MS researchers and clinicians in attendance, the 2023 combined ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS meeting in Milan was the largest MS research conference in the world. During the meeting, I had an opportunity to talk with some of the best and brightest minds in MS research and clinical practice. This is your invitation to listen in on my ECTRIMS EXTRA conversation with Dr. Annette Langer-Gould. ...

With more than 9,000 MS researchers and clinicians in attendance, the 2023 combined ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS meeting in Milan was the largest MS research conference in the world. During the meeting, I had an opportunity to talk with some of the best and brightest minds in MS research and clinical practice. This is your invitation to listen in on my ECTRIMS EXTRA conversation with Dr. Anthony Feinstein.  Dr...

This week, we're sharing more from the 2023 joint ECTRIMS ( European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis ) and ACTRIMS ( Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis ) annual meeting. What if we could identify MS before anyone experienced any of the typical clinical symptoms? Would treating that person with a high-efficacy disease-modifying therapy pre...

With about 9,000 MS researchers and clinicians in attendance, the 2023 combined ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS meeting in Milan was the largest MS research conference in the world. During the meeting, I had an opportunity to talk with some of the best and brightest minds in MS research and clinical practice. This is your invitation to listen in on my ECTRIMS EXTRA conversation with Dr. Jiwon Oh.  Dr. Oh is a neu...

Last week, more than 9,000 MS research scientists and clinicians from more than 110 countries traveled to Milan to attend the largest MS research conference in the world, the 2023 joint ECTRIMS ( European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis ) and ACTRIMS ( Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis ) annual meeting. In keeping with a RealTalk MS trad...

We've been using the same MS clinical course descriptors (relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, and primary progressive) for almost three decades. As research has provided so much additional information and insight, is it time to update the way we describe, diagnose, and treat MS? The International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in Multiple Sclerosis has established a working group to...

In this episode of RealTalk MS, we're talking about what you should be talking about with your neurologist or MS Specialist. Shared decision-making is a key component of patient-centered health care. It's a process in which clinicians and patients work together to make evidence-based decisions on tests, treatments, and care plans that balance risks and expected outcomes with patient preferences an...

RealTalk MS is now 6 years old! We've covered a lot of ground in more than 300 episodes over the past 6 years. And I'm marking our 6-year anniversary by highlighting the most impactful conversations we've had in each of the past 6 years. 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://re...

It's not unusual to see sex and intimacy become unintended and unnecessary collateral damage in the day-to-day-challenges of living with MS. But it doesn't have to be that way. Madelyn Esposito, LPC, NCC, CST, joins me to discuss some of the common sexual problems faced by people living with MS, ways to maintain intimacy in your relationships, and tips for maintaining a healthy sex life. Kristine...

Just a couple of weeks ago, the FDA approved the first biosimilar medication for treating MS. As generics and now, biosimilars, become more available, it seems like the right time for us to get clear on the similarities and differences between generics, biosimilars, and the name-brand drugs that they mimic.  Dr. Jiwon Oh joins me to explain everything you need to know to be an informed medical con...

When you're living with MS, managing your pelvic floor health may not be among the first things you think about. But pelvic floor dysfunction, and the problems that arise from it, like bladder and bowel issues, can seriously impact your health, well-being, and quality of life.  Jill Ehrmantraut, a physical therapist and women's health clinical specialist with advanced training in pelvic rehabilita...

Fire, flood, record-setting heat, tropical storm, earthquake -- we've seen it all in the past several weeks! Natural disasters can present a whole series of unique challenges for people affected by MS.  Last year, I had an opportunity to talk about disaster preparedness for people affected by MS with Mary Casey-Lockyer, the Senior Medical Advisor to Disaster Operations at the American Red Cross. A...

Contrary to what was once believed to be true, we now know that exercise and physical activity can deliver several important benefits for people living with MS, and actually improve your quality of life. Experts recommend exercise and physical activity for everyone living with MS, at every level of ability.  Dr. Gretchen Hawley joins me this week to talk about what kinds of exercises you can and s...

Rehabilitation can help people regain, keep, or improve the physical or cognitive abilities they need to successfully navigate their daily lives, which makes it an important aspect of managing MS.  In this episode of RealTalk MS , we're focusing on a concept that may not be as familiar to you --  prehabilitation, a proactive approach to maintaining your mobility and independence longer.  Returning...

Dr. Stephen Hauser's research as a physician-scientist has revolutionized our understanding of the genetics, immunology, and treatment of MS. It was Dr. Hauser's research that led to the development of a b-cell therapy for MS, which has been shown to be highly effective in treating all forms of MS and the only treatment approved for treating progressive MS. Dr. Hauser joins me this week, to discus...

The ability to speak is something so basic to our day-to-day lives that you may not ever stop to consider it until you realize something about your speech may be changing. And swallowing is something that's so automatic, we take it for granted. Until, that is, something changes, and you find yourself choking on a sip of water. Speech and swallowing problems are fairly common MS symptoms. And joini...

This special episode of RealTalk MS is sponsored by Sanofi. In this special episode of RealTalk MS, Dr. Aaron Boster walks us through everything you need to know about clinical trials.  If you've ever wondered what the difference is between a Phase 1 clinical trial, a Phase 2 clinical trial, or a Phase 3 clinical trial, you're about to find out. If you're curious about how a clinical trial partici...

Experiencing difficulty walking is one of the most common mobility challenges faced by people living with MS. The good news is that there are things you can do -- both with a physical therapist and by yourself, at home -- that can make a real difference. Joining me to discuss improving your gait, avoiding falls, and what experts are learning from the latest research in this area is the Director of...

Learning to effectively manage stress and anxiety is important for everyone. And if you're living with the unpredictability of MS, it may be doubly important.  Joining me to discuss the impact that stress and anxiety can have on your physical and mental health, along with strategies you can use to manage the stress and anxiety in  your life, is Dr. Bree Wannamaker. Dr. Wannamaker lives with MS, an...

Living your best life with MS often means planning ahead and, when circumstances require, knowing when and how to adapt. Many of us find ourselves in the kitchen every day. And, while cooking can be pleasurable, it can also be a chore that only gets worse if you're dealing with pain, fatigue, mobility issues, tingling in your hands and arms, unsteady balance, or other MS symptoms. Award-winning au...