MANAGING MS Symptoms / Symptom Management

The key to living with MS is to feel in control of MS. You can do this by keeping track of your symptoms, going to appointments with your health care provider, having regular magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs), and taking any medication your health care provider has prescribed.

The exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disease progression, is unknown.

Following a well-balanced diet and a properly prescribed exercise program are also good foundations for health. Always talk with your health care provider or MS specialist before starting any symptom management program.

Staying on treatment

If your health care provider has prescribed a disease-modifying drug (DMD), it is important you follow your doctor's recommendations. The introduction of DMD's 15 years ago showed them as a breakthrough for people with relapsing MS. Since then 4 DMD's have been introduced to the market and have shown to slow the course of the disease.

If you are not taking a DMD, talk with your health care provider. He or she is there to help you. It's important that you communicate your needs. Together, you can go over the treatment options and decide whether DMD therapy is right for you.

Managing MS symptoms

It's very important for you to learn to listen to and take cues from your body. This will help you manage your MS symptoms.

When to call someone about your symptoms

You should ask your health care provider about when it is important for you to call. Some reasons to call may include:

• If you experience loss of vision or blurry vision
• If you have an abrupt change in bowel or bladder function
• If you think you have a urinary tract infection
• If you have feelings of depression or thoughts of hurting yourself
• Any time you are concerned about a symptom or feeling

This is not a complete list. Remember to check with your health care provider about when you should call.

• Learn more as MS experts and others answer questions about Symptom Management in addition to other topics.

More on Symptom Management:

• Fatigue
• Spasticity
• Walking & Balance
• Bowel or Bladder
• Vision
• Memory
• Sexual Issues
• Pain
• Depression
• Beating The Heat

Source of these articles is MS Lifelines:
 http://www.mslifelines.com/managing-ms/symptom-management/index.jsp

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