Can Do MS

Over a few short weeks, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has become a constant presence in our lives. We have experienced rapid shifts in our daily activities, including how we work, socialize, exercise, eat, pray, receive medical care, and care for others. Fatigue and sleep disturbance are common in MS and can worsen during periods of stress.

Forgetfulness happens to all of us. Sometimes we forget names or appointments, struggle with finding the right word, or feel overwhelmed and disorganized. But what happens when you notice it occurring more frequently than it used to? When you have MS, you may find that you’re having more trouble with thinking and remembering.

The following are some general guidelines of what to expect when participating in therapy. This is not a “one size fits all approach” - every person and every situation are different so please consult a mental health professional for specific questions and advice.

Change is part of our lives. We strive for some of those changes – for example, growing up, getting an education, finding a partner, or winning the lottery. Others may be thrust upon us – for example aging, losing a loved one, or being diagnosed with a chronic illness. All changes, whether positive or negative, can be challenging. If you think about getting a new job, starting a new relationship,...

Finding nutrition information online is easy. In fact, it is hard to escape! But how reliable is the information you find online? How good is the advice from your favorite Instagram account, from your favorite celebrity, or your well-meaning neighbor or friend? Living with MS means also living with information overload.

Sharing information about MS with family members isn’t always easy or straightforward. Different family members want and need different kinds of information; people sometimes have preconceived ideas about what MS is and what you should be doing to manage it; some family members are better able than others to keep information private if you ask them to. In addition, the information you provide need...

What does mobility mean to you? Walking through the grocery store, completing a toilet transfer independently, or maybe using a scooter to get to and from your grandchild’s soccer game, because the grass on the soccer fields are unforgiving and certainly a trip hazard. What mobility means to you is simply “getting there” – getting where you want to go and participating in activities you want to do...

Mood changes are very common in people with MS and there are several healthcare team members that can help you manage these symptoms so you can live your best life. An occupational therapist (PT) can offer strategies to adapt your environment and lifestyle to conserve energy, which can impact your mood.

Pediatric-Onset MS is defined as having an onset of MS symptoms prior to the age of 18 years. MS, which affects about 2.5 million people worldwide, is the most common cause of non-traumatic neurologic disability in young adults. It is estimated that there are about 2,000-4,000 cases of pediatric-onset MS worldwide, however, about 10% of people with MS recall in hindsight that their first symptoms...

Leisure is a domain of life that is very important, particularly for people with neurological disorders. It's important to understand that leisure does not equal laziness- leisure can improve your physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual wellness. Learn about the research being done on the impacts of leisure on MS, as well as resources to understand more about the benefits of leisure...

Approximately 65% of individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS) will experience cognitive change. This change can occur anytime in the disease. Approximately one-third of individuals experience cognitive difficulties even before they are officially diagnosed. Below we will highlight the domains most commonly impacted by MS, how they can impact relationships, and a few tips for improvement.

With spring in the air, it’s time to think about getting out and being active! We all know that physical activity and exercise will improve our health, but incorporating them into our daily lives can be difficult. This article will help you individualize an exercise plan to start making changes today.

People with MS may have difficulty with cooking meals for themselves and their families/friends. Their meal preparation skills can be impacted by a variety of factors that can include some or all of the following deficit areas: Fatigue, Strength, Balance, Cognition, Fine motor skills, Sensation How have these issues impacted your abilities to plan and cook meals? There are a number of ways to incr...

Bowel and bladder dysfunction can significantly impact daily life, compromise health, and impair one’s quality of life. However, instead of just enduring or passively compromising, you can take control through lifestyle modifications and medical management.

The start of a new year is an opportune time to identify a new goal, or two, that will help you live well; to thrive! What is wellness? Wellness can take many forms: emotional well-being, cognitive well-being, home life, work life, nutrition, exercise, health behaviors, relationships, and spirituality. What does wellness look like to you?

The easier it is to move around, the better your quality of life. However, many people with MS have issues that affect their functional mobility, which is the ability to go where you want, when you want. Here are a few suggestions to improve your functional mobility through assistive devices.

When one person is diagnosed with MS, many other people are involved and affected. And the changes brought about by MS can have an impact on those important relationships.

“What foods should I be avoiding because of MS? “ “What foods should I be eating because of MS?” As a registered dietitian living with MS and helping people with MS navigate their unique nutrition challenges, these are the two most frequently asked questions that I encounter, by far. I would like to take this opportunity to answer these questions here and now. A healthy eating pattern is no differ...

People with MS experience symptoms that may not be adequately controlled with FDA-approved medications. Some people with MS have tried cannabis products to relieve these symptoms. Although cannabis has been legalized for recreational and/or medical use in a growing number of states, its use remains prohibited by federal laws. The legal status of cannabis is in flux. The use of cannabis to treat MS...

Gather information about how progressive MS is diagnosed and managed and the important role of overall health and wellness through a variety of articles, booklets, webpages, and videos from Can Do Multiple Sclerosis and the National MS Society.

Symptoms of MS, especially cognitive changes and spasticity, can affect driving performance and increase a risk of a car crash. In fact, persons with MS are three times more likely to have a car accident, putting themselves and others at risk. While there are many modifications and adaptations that can assist with driving, loses in driving skills are common. At some point, it is time for all of us...

A cure for multiple sclerosis. That is what we all want, correct? While we have not reached the cure yet, we are getting closer. When we think about a cure for multiple sclerosis, that term may mean different things to different people. To those who are newly diagnosed, a cure might mean a completely effective therapy that would completely eliminate any risk of relapses, new lesions on MRI, or pro...

Cognitive changes are a common symptom in MS. Up to 65% of people who have a diagnosis of MS also experience cognitive changes. In some cases people may identify cognitive changes as some of the earliest symptoms of MS they noticed.

Discovering yourself and what feels right to you is a life-long process, one that does not have a final conclusion. Keep an open mind while learning about yourself and begin your journey to knowing the sexual person that you are!

The positive effects of exercise on our bodies are widely known - improved muscular strength, weight management, balance, cardiovascular health, and reduced risk for some cancers and type 2 diabetes, just to name a few. These measurable physical changes are often the focus of goals and intended outcomes for exercise. An often overlooked advantage to exercise is the benefit that exercise may have o...