Here is My Question:
I want to get a lip piercing but not sure if my skin will be able to handle it.

Answer:
I wish I could help you answer this question. I can tell you that MS will not affect the ability of your skin to repair itself after trauma, surgery, or piercing. However, certain treatments like recent or current corticosteroids or immunosuppressants can affect healing.

Revere P (Rip) Kinkel, MDProfessor of Clinical Neurosciences
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program
Clinical Neurosciences Director
University of California San Diego
#multiplesclerosis
#MS
#lippiercing

Here is My Question:
Hello, I just turned sixty and have had MS for 35 years or so took Avenox and stopped it for extreme flu like symptoms, then took Tecfidera for 8 months or so then stopped it for fear of PML. Just had an MRI that showed little activity (inflamation) is what one neurologist calls it. He wants to repeat MRI in 6 months and perhaps treat then if needed while another neurologist. I see occasionally says I should treat! My question is : How should one make a decision on either or? Thank you in advance for any input you may have have on this subject .

Answer:
Your decision hinges on what is being referred to as, "a little activity", on your MRI and over what time interval this "activity" occurred. MRI activity decreases with each decade, particularly in those with stable MS without progressive disease by the age of 60. 

You need to have an expert independently review your MRI scans to determine if there is really any ongoing MS activity. If there is doubt, then staying off treatment and repeating your MRI in 6 months is reasonable, particularly at the age of 60. 
​
You also need to have a full discussion of your concerns with your neurologist since they are the only ones capable of providing a fully informed opinion based on your history and examination. For instance, we have no information about your disease course, level of disability, risk factors for disease progression or other medical conditions. All these factors are important to treatment decisions. 

Revere P (Rip) Kinkel, MDProfessor of Clinical Neurosciences
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program
Clinical Neurosciences Director
University of California San Diego

​#multiplesclerosis

Here is My Question:
What do you know about the EMBOLD A188 trial and it’s promise of demyelination? How far off might we be? Any chance to be included in the phase 3?

Answer:
EMBOLD is currently recruiting patients for the phase 2 portion of the study. UCSD is a clinical trial site for this study. Follow the link pasted below to learn more about the study and to contact Atara Biotherapeutics about a study site near your residence. If you live in San Diego County, UCSD is one of the study sites for the EMBOLD study. You need an appointment with either me or Dr Jennifer Graves to be evaluated for this study. The main entry criterion is progressive multiple sclerosis and age less than 61.

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:
I'm seeking financial resources that could help with cost of building an entry ramp in BAY Area, CA​

Answer:
I would reach out to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society patient assistance program for starters. If you see an MS specialist at an academic center, reach out to their social worker for community assistance programs.

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:
Can I have MS and abnormally low iron levels

Answer:
Multiple Sclerosis and Iron levels are unrelated. Therefore, both may occur at the same time. 

Revere P (Rip) Kinkel, MDProfessor of Clinical Neurosciences
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program
Clinical Neurosciences Director
University of California San Diego