Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS)—i.e. the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. The CNS, which controls the entire body, is attacked by the body’s own immune system, damaging the protective layer, or myelin, that insulates the wire-like nerve fibers.
This nerve damage disrupts signals to and from the brain. MS is an immune-mediated disease, which is when the body’s immune system overreacts and attacks itself. Though similar, an immune-mediated disease is different from an autoimmune disease. Both involve the immune system attacking and damaging the body’s own healthy cells via proteins (or autoantigens—antigens produced by one’s own body). However with an autoimmune disease, the proteins/autoantigens which attack the cells have been identified. With an immune-mediated disease, these proteins/autoantigens have not been identified.1
Signs and Symptoms
Though everyone’s experience with MS is different, there are some common signs and symptoms to look out for. These include:3
Numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, typically occurring on one side of the body at a time
Tingling
Electric-shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements, especially when bending the neck forward (Lhermitte sign)
Lack of coordination
Unsteady gait (having trouble with balance) or inability to walk
Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time with pain during eye movement
Prolonged double vision
Blurry vision
Vertigo
Problems with sexual, bowel, and bladder function
Fatigue
Slurred speech
Cognitive problems
Mood disturbances
Positive Self Management
In addition to a patient’s medical/treatment protocol, positive self management can improve day-to-day quality of life for those living with MS. Patients who self-manage their condition have the skillset to accept and communicate with others their need to move at their own pace. Research has shown that those who have developed self-management skills have more confidence to better communicate their needs to others, therefore receiving improved support.4 Found to be an empowering strategy to improve health for many people living with chronic conditions, self management is a philosophy that acknowledges living with a condition like MS is an ongoing experience.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Multiple Sclerosis Foundation both give resources for developing positive self management skills.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has a section on their website dedicated to “Living Well with MS”. They provide guidance and resources for diet, exercise, and healthy behaviors; emotional well-being (i.e. managing stress and coping skills); spiritual well-being (i.e. building on values and beliefs that provide purpose); and cognitive health (i.e. keeping your mind engaged and challenged). Learn more about these resources here.
The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation is helping MS patients get connected to support groups and grants. Some of their grants and programs include help with rent or utilities, homecare assistance, and transportation. They also host multiple events for the MS community to join together and learn more about managing their condition. To learn more about these resources and events, click here.
Treatment Options
For some with mild symptoms, no treatment is necessary. For others, treatment to help ease MS symptoms may include corticosteroids or plasma exchange. Although there is no cure for MS, treatment can also help slow disease progression by reducing the amount of damage and scarring to the myelin—the layer surrounding the nerves. This reduction in damage can help MS patients have fewer and less severe relapses. Treatment to slow progression may include injectable, oral, and infusion medications.
Infusion treatments may help slow the progression of MS and lessen flare-ups for those with aggressive or advanced MS. Because medication is infused directly into the bloodstream, a healthcare professional should be present to administer the infusion and monitor the patient for side effects.
How BioMatrix Can Help
BioMatrix helps manage the individual needs of patients requiring infused medications by providing options for administration site of care, education, and support to help improve quality of life. Knowledgeable pharmacists and care coordination staff guide each patient through the potential medication side effects and, working with the prescribing physician, help manage treatment to reduce the prevalence and severity of relapses.
The BioMatrix clinical team includes compassionate nurses who have extensive training and experience with rare diseases, infusion therapies, and complex medical conditions. Our nurses work together with patients, caregivers, pharmacists, and prescribers to coordinate the optimal site of care (including home infusion), conduct nursing interventions, and provide patient education.
Learn more about how our individualized specialty pharmacy services for MS patients.
Financial Resource Guide
Living with a chronic condition can create additional healthcare costs while also impeding one’s ability to work. Our financial resource guide can help.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. All information, content, and material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider or as legal advice. Please consult a physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and/or medical needs or concerns and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here or on our website.
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References
What is an immune-mediated disease? The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Definition-of-MS/Immune-mediated-disease
About Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Penn Medicine. https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/multiple-sclerosis-ms
(2022). Multiple Sclerosis. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269
(2010). Wazenkewitz, J., McMullen, K., Ehde, D. Self-Management: Keys to Taking Charge of Your MS. Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
