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Ask any question you want about Multiple Sclerosis and one of our experts will answer it as soon as possible.
Here is My Question:
What is the likelihood of MS diagnosis not being debilitating? Answer: That is a very difficult question to answer for two reasons:
For Relapsing MS patients with symptom onset in the early 1990s ( the era when treatments for MS first became approved) the median time between onset of MS symptoms and requiring a cane to walk is approximately 25 to 30 years. This means that exactly half the patients will need a cane within 25 to 30 year and the other half will not need a cane. The median time to develop this level of disability is shorter in men by about 5 years. For progressive onset patients the median time between onset of MS symptoms and requiring a cane to walk is much shorter (< 10 years) Revere P (Rip) Kinkel, MDProfessor of Clinical Neurosciences Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program Clinical Neurosciences Director University of California San Diego
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Here is My Question:
If I postpone certain medications due to COVID 19, does this increase my risks to new/worsening nerve damage? Answer: Temporarily stopping certain disease modifying therapies can increase your risk of new or worsening injury to your nervous system from MS. This is well characterized for two particular MS Disease Modifying Therapies, Gilenya and Tysabri. The package insert for both products even warns physicians about the risk of stopping treatment, temporarily or permanently, without substituting another suitable DMT. Revere P (Rip) Kinkel, MDProfessor of Clinical Neurosciences Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program Clinical Neurosciences Director University of California San Diego Here is My Question:
If/when there is a cure/vaccine for COVID-19, can I take it given the medical treatment for MS? Or will I not be able to get the vaccine and; therefore, always be susceptible to COVID-19? Answer: Most vaccines are available to all people including people with MS. In fact we typically encourage people with MS to keep current on their vaccinations. The exception is live or live attentuated vaccines, which are avoided in immunosuppressed individuals. We do not at present anticipate a live or live attentuated type of vaccine for COVID-19. Therefore, the COVID-19 vaccine would be recommended for people with MS, unless something unusual is discovered during the clinical development trials. Revere P (Rip) Kinkel, MDProfessor of Clinical Neurosciences Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program Clinical Neurosciences Director University of California San Diego Here is My Question:
How often is MS confused with Parkinson’s, ALS, or other progressive diseases? Answer: Today, because of the availability of MR imaging, evoked potentials and spinal fluid analysis, it is very rare for MS to be confused with other neurodegenerative conditions. Confusion can arise early in the onset of symptoms but it usually becomes very apparent to the physician within months (at times several years) that they are not dealing with MS. It is important to realize that most neurodegenerative conditions, like ALS and Parkinson's disease, are only confused with primary progressive MS. They would never be confused with typical relapsing remitting MS. Revere P (Rip) Kinkel, MDProfessor of Clinical Neurosciences Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program Clinical Neurosciences Director University of California San Diego |
PLEASE NOTE: This information/opinions on this site should be used as an information source only. This information does not create any patient-HCP relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.
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