Information on MS
MS Facts
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
- Q. How soon can an MS patient be seen at the new clinic?
A. Appointments for current programs and for the new MS clinic are booked several weeks in advance. A staff of neurologists treat as many patients as possible, however, to ensure excellent care, ample time is scheduled for each patient. - Q. What causes fatigue in MS patients?
A. No one knows why, but many MS patients experience fatigue. Frequent, short rest periods, combined with medications, seems to help. - Q. Does MS run in families?
A. Not directly. For reasons that are not fully understood, certain groups of people living in colder climates have a higher incidence of MS. - Q. Do you have to take medicine for MS?
A. There are medications available to treat most types of MS. Current recommendations are that all patients with relapsing - remitting MS be offered treatment with immunomodulatory drugs. - Q. Is MS contagious?
A. No. - Q. Does MS affect every patient the same way?
A. MS shows itself in many different ways, and is sometimes quite mild. Usually, MS begins between ages 20 and 40, and occasionally begins as late as the age of 50. Older patients tend to have more chronic (constant and progressive) forms of MS than younger patients, who tend to have intermittent forms of MS.
Helpful Links
Organizations
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Institutes of Health
Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers
Resources for Caregivers in the Family
The Center for Family Caregivers
P.O. Box 224
Park Ridge, IL 60068
773-334-5794
www.familycaregivers.org
Support and educational material for family caregivers.
Family Caregiver Alliance
690 Market St., Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-434-3388
www.caregiver.org
Research, publications, statistics, fact sheets, public policy news and information on long-term care. Web site includes a section in Spanish.
Healthfinder
www.healthfinder.gov
Free guide to health information developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Web site is in English and Spanish.
Medicare
www.medicare.gov
Official government web site for Medicare information. Web site is in English and Spanish.
National Alliance for Caregiving
4720 Montgomery Ln., 5th Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
www.caregiving.org
Caregiving tips and guides and a clearinghouse of 1,000 reviewed and rated resources for caregivers, including books and videos.
National Family Caregivers Association
10400 Connecticut Ave., #500
Kensington, MD 20895-3944
800-896-3650
www.nfcacares.org
Caregiving tips and resources, including a support network and resource guidelines.
The Well Spouse Foundation
63 West Main St., Suite H
Freehold, NJ 07728
800-838-0879
www.wellspouse.org
Offers a newsletter and support groups in Houston and other locations, plus online support.