MS Awareness Month Program Highlight: MSAA Podcast Episodes

Posted on March 28, 2025 by MSAA

As MSAA continues to highlight MS Awareness Month this March through the campaign theme of “Empowered from the Start with MSAA,” our efforts to raise awareness and provide vital support to the MS community remains our priority. This month specifically, we are spotlighting both educational and supportive resources that may be of use to those who are newly diagnosed and navigating their MS journey. With this in mind, MSAA would like to present one of the many free resources available to the community – MSAA’s Podcast.

This month, MSAA has released a three-part podcast series titled, “If I Knew Then: Reflecting on an MS Diagnosis.” This special series highlights expert insights for newly diagnosed individuals, as well as the personal stories and experiences from community members with MS.

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Being An MS Warrior

Posted on March 26, 2025 by Teena Palathanam

Being diagnosed with MS can be disheartening news for many since the road ahead can be so scary and unpredictable. If left undiagnosed, it can lead to severe disability over time.

It is of utmost importance that you schedule your appointments with your neurologists and other care providers regularly so that they can help with managing your symptoms and keeping your MS at bay. The high costs associated with the treatment make medical coverage crucial as over time, MS may unfortunately place a financial strain on individuals and families. Fortunately, there are organizations like the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) can direct you to valuable resources while navigating the bumps along the way.

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A Letter to a Friend: So You’ve Just been Diagnosed with MS…

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Courtney Merker

Dear Friend,

I’ve been thinking about you so much since you shared your recent diagnosis of MS. I know this probably feels like a lot – like the ground has shifted under your feet – and I wish I could be there in person to give you the biggest hug. Since I can’t, I wanted to write you this letter instead.

I don’t have all the answers (who does?), but I want to share a few things that I’ve come to learn about MS. Just remember, you are not alone. Not now, not ever. I am here for you, and so are your closest friends and family.

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Equilibrando la salud y la carrera: Perspectivas clave para personas recién diagnosticadas con EM

Posted on March 21, 2025 by Claudia Chavez

Un diagnóstico reciente de esclerosis múltiple (EM) puede ser alarmante, y tiene el potencial de alterar casi todos los aspectos de nuestra vida, incluyendo nuestra vida laboral y la estabilidad financiera. Los síntomas de la EM varían de una persona a otra, por lo que la experiencia de cada individuo es única. Un nuevo diagnóstico marca el inicio de un período de aprendizaje, adaptación y gestión a los cambios. Mientras que la salud se convierte en el centro de atención, es importante reconocer que muchos otros aspectos de la vida también se ven afectados. Con frecuencia surgen preocupaciones sobre la carrera profesional, la estabilidad laboral y la seguridad económica al intentar encontrar el equilibrio en esta realidad nueva e incierta.

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MS Awareness Month Program Highlight: My MSAA Community

Posted on March 17, 2025 by MSAA

As we continue to highlight MS Awareness Month this March, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) remains dedicated to raising awareness of multiple sclerosis while also providing vital resources and support for the community. MSAA recognizes that this month is especially powerful for the MS community as we reflect on how far we’ve come, the challenges that remain, and the importance of supporting one another. In honor of this special time, MSAA would like to bring attention to the many free programs and services offered that are designed to improve the quality of life for those affected by MS. One of the many free tools MSAA provides is My MSAA Community, a peer-to-peer online forum for individuals with MS.

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Burdens Shared

Posted on March 14, 2025 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

March is MS awareness month, and it’s a good time to reflect on the lessons I’ve learned while navigating life with Multiple Sclerosis for 16 years. Of all of the lessons I’ve had to learn, the hardest has been accepting my MS is not just my problem.

When I was diagnosed with MS, I firmly wanted to be able to deal with it myself. I saw it as my problem, and I didn’t want it to affect those around me. I saw it as solely my responsibility, and I thought it would be unfair for me to let it burden anyone else.

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You Got This!

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Melissa Young

Receiving a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis can be overwhelming, but it’s also the beginning of a journey where you can take charge of your health and future. While MS comes with uncertainties, empowering yourself with knowledge and a proactive mindset can make a world of difference. Start by educating yourself about MS through the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA). Understanding your diagnosis helps you make informed decisions about treatment, symptom management, and lifestyle changes.

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Ask the Expert: Tremor

Posted on March 2, 2025 by MSAA

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer

Barry Hendin, MD

Question: How do tremors with MS differ and what types of treatments help?

Answer: Tremor or shaking is relatively common in multiple sclerosis, affecting as many as one quarter to one half of people living with MS. Tremors may range from a mild nuisance, to moderate or severe, and affect activities of daily living.

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The Brain, The Brain… The Center of The Chain

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Ro Washington

I think it’s over here… or upstairs… or in the trunk… wait, did I donate that??

Lapses in memory or just general forgetfulness can happen to anyone and doesn’t have to be directly related to any one issue or associated with any diagnosis in particular. In the world of MS though, Cognition Issues, or what is sometimes referred to as Cog Fog can be a significant concern. Cognition and overall Brain Health is a complicated beast especially within the MS community. Here are some general info and tips about helping to improve cognition and overall brain function and how to build in a defense against the Cog Fog.

The Brain, The Brain…. The Center of the Chain (yes, that’s a Babysitters Club reference)

While many factors may impact Cognition some big ones to keep in mind are Nutrition, Sleep and Stress
Nurtirion
- A healthy diet (while there is not an MS specific diet, read balanced diet here) can help support brain function and health. Giving the body important nutrients it needs to use in cell building and repair
- Vitamin E, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and other anti-inflammatory foods have been found to impact brain function in a positive aspect
Sleep
- Sleep can be hard to come by but getting proper rest may trigger your glymphatic system which essentially helps flush your central nervous system (in part your brain) of buildup and toxins
- Sleep allows your body to heal and repair cells that can help you get a fresh start on the next day
Stress
- Stress is a big one as it can trigger an increase in the activity of your sympathetic nervous system and cause inflammation which can lead to issues associated with not only your cognitive system but also your immune system
- Decreasing stress levels (easier said than done I know) can aid your body in being in a good spot defensively for illness as well as loss of attention and focus

Now none of that may be new news to you, but it’s good to be reminded that Nutrition, Sleep and Stress all play a part in our overall health and especially as it relates to brain health. So, what can you do to combat or alleviate some of the problems brought on by Cog Fog. We’ve heard some great tips from clients that they use and wanted to share

Notes, notes and more notes: when you think of or hear important information write it down on a post-it and put them up in a spot in your home that you pass by very often such as a hallway, bathroom or near the front door
Calendars are your friend: A large wall calendar can be purchased or if you want to be creative, drawn/painted/sketched onto a wall and similar to the notes put appointments, important dates and other information into it so you have it on hand
You are getting very sleepy: There are a lot of theories on how much sleep you should get, generally speaking we hear that 8 hours is optimal. But in addition to this try working on a sleep cycle. Sleep cycles last approximately 90 mins and there are 5 stages that you go thru during that time. It takes on average someone 15 mins to fall asleep. So try and schedule your sleep to include not only the 90mins in each cycle but also the 15mins at the start (its an average, I know it may not work for everyone in exactly that amount of time) and set alarms to wake up at what would be the end of a sleep cycle. You’ll definitely feel the difference
Meal planning: Seems like the whole world is on a meal plan or diet kick these days. But meal planning can be helpful when you are not only trying to have healthy meals but also when you are attempting to be intentional about implementing things like Vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acids. Mark out a plan for your weekly meals (yes you can deviate to occasionally allow for that cheeseburger or pizza) and be intentional about incorporating healthy aspects into your diet

There are lots of other great tips to include, these are just some that we wanted to share and hope are helpful to you. Definitely share with us some of your tips and takes on helping with Brain Health. We’d love to hear them!

To continue the conversation about MS relapses during MS Awareness Month, MSAA will be hosting a live “Ask Me Anything” event with Rohit Bakshi, MD, today, March 19, 2018 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm Eastern on MSAA’s Facebook page. And throughout the week, MSAA will be hosting free in-person events across the country. Find an education event near you by visiting our Calendar of Events page.

The Confusing World of MS Relapses

Posted on March 12, 2018 by Angel Blair

MS relapses continue to be one of the most notorious conundrums within the MS space and community today, which is one reason why the MSAA has made MS Relapse Management one of the MS Awareness Month activities this March. Many individuals living with MS question their symptoms and if they relate to relapses or not on a daily basis, no matter how long they’ve been diagnosed, because this issue remains a head-scratcher to those affected. This occurs because MS relapses can be difficult to diagnose, they’re unique to each person (like many other factors with MS), and they can sometimes be pseudoexacerbations and different from a “true” relapse. Several issues can influence whether or not a true relapse is occurring, these include other illnesses or infection, heat, stress, fever, and exercise. So how do you determine what is a relapse vs. a pseudoexacerbation vs. something else? This is a question that concerns many from day to day.

For a relapse to be considered there has to be certain signs and evidence pointing to it without other factors involved like those mentioned above. Symptoms may present as a worsening or recurrence of existing symptoms and/or new symptoms and need to be present for at least 24-48 hours. This is hard for individuals to distinguish sometimes, especially if it’s a symptom they’ve had before but maybe not recently, if they’re not sure that it’s an actual symptom issue, or if it’s a symptom related to MS at all. Another question that comes up often is how long do relapse symptoms last? The length of time can vary from days to months, again making it hard to know the exact ins and outs of relapses and all they entail. These are the type of great, valid questions to ask the doctor when and if the opportunity presents itself because it’s something many face and are unsure about.

Talking to others living with MS can also help to validate some of these questions and concerns too, to gain feedback and perspective from those dealing with the same types of issues. My MSAA Community, MSAA’s online peer support forum where those affected by MS connect with their peers, is one platform that can be used for this outreach. Additional information about MS relapse management can also be found through the MSAA’s online MS Relapse Resource Center and MS Relapse Toolkit publication.

To continue the conversation about MS relapses during MS Awareness Month, MSAA will be hosting a live “Ask Me Anything” event with Annette Okai, MD, today, March 12, 2018 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm Eastern on My MSAA Community. And on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 from 8:00 – 9:00 pm Eastern the MSAA will be hosting a free Live Webinar “Helpful Tools for MS Relapse Management” featuring Elizabeth Crabtree-Hartman, MD. Be sure to join in!

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