Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD
MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer
Question: What are the common types of pain in MS and are they treated differently?
Answer: When people with MS experience the onset of pain as a new symptom, they generally ask “why” and “can you make it go away?” I’ll try to address both questions. Although it may oversimplify the subject of pain in multiple sclerosis, I think it’s helpful to think of two major types of pain: neurogenic and nociceptive pain.
Continue readingBy Dan and Jennifer Digmann
To us, community is more than a group of people who happen to live in the same town, attend the same church, share an interest, or know our story.
Community is the people who show up.
They celebrate with us when life is good, stand beside us when life is difficult, and remind us that we never have to navigate life completely alone.
Continue readingBy Stacie Prada
When I think of my community, I first think of where I live, my friends and neighbors who will show up for me, and those I’m compelled to show up for. In times of crisis, a surge of community help is noticeable. A call to action is made, and people rise to the occasion.
Continue reading“I am so grateful for this community and the wonderful people here. It has been life-changing for me to have so much support, be able to help others, and to find great resources. Bravo, MSAA!”
-My MSAA Community member
This year, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is recognizing a very special milestone: the 10th anniversary of our online forum, My MSAA Community!
Continue readingBy Nicole Robinson
Summer looks a little different when you are living with multiple sclerosis. The heat, the fatigue, the unpredictability of symptoms – it all factors into how I plan, what I commit to, and how I protect my energy while still enjoying the season. Over the years I have learned that a meaningful summer does not require a big budget or an ambitious itinerary. It requires intention. And a little planning ahead never hurts either.
Continue readingBy Stacie Prada
“The reward of a thing well done is having done it.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sure, Ralph. Sometimes, having something done well is enough. It’s a relief to have it off the to-do list. It’s not nagging at me, and I’m not stressing about doing it anymore. But sometimes I still need acknowledgment for my hard work. A quiet nod or smile to myself in recognition: a star or smiley face drawn in my journal.
A lot of living with multiple sclerosis for me is invisible, and the effort it takes to prevent or delay physical decline is huge.
Continue readingLiving with MS brings many unexpected changes. While much focus is placed on physical symptoms, one of the biggest impacts of MS can be on our social circles. Relationships, marriages, and friendships might undergo a massive shift after a diagnosis, though everyone’s journey looks different.
People from the MS community have shared their raw, realistic, and hopeful experiences regarding how multiple sclerosis has reshaped their connections with others. Their stories show both the potential hardships and the relationship wins of navigating these shifts.
Continue readingBy Nicole Robinson
Living with multiple sclerosis has taught me a lot, especially when it comes to protecting my mental and emotional well-being.
When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t have it all together. There were moments of confusion, frustration, and a lot of questions about what my life would look like moving forward. While I still don’t have all the answers, I’ve learned that small intentional habits can make a big difference in how I show up each day.
Continue readingFeaturing Barry A. Hendin, MD
MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer
Question: What causes the pain and tight pressure around the body known as an “MS hug,” how is it treated, and can it be avoided?
Answer: The causes of the MS hug aren’t entirely clear, but we believe it is caused by an inflammation or injury to the nerves of the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. This inflammation interrupts nerve impulses and sends mixed signals to the body and the muscles. When experiencing these symptoms for the first time, it is often uncomfortable and disturbing. The term “hug” may sound inappropriate as a hug normally refers to a warm and affectionate feeling, unlike an “MS hug” that can be quite uncomfortable.
Continue readingFor the average person, catching a cold is a minor inconvenience—a few days of tissues and cough syrup before bouncing back to work. But for those of us living with multiple sclerosis (MS), the narrative is often drastically different. We know that a “simple” bug can feel like a seismic event. As one community member vividly shared, “mundane ailments can knock us down for the count.” What might be a fleeting annoyance for our friends and family can hit us with the force of a freight train, leaving us drained and vulnerable.
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