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
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.
For some with mild symptoms, no treatment is necessary. For others, treatment to help ease MS symptoms may include corticosteroids or plasma exchange, or immunoglobulin infusions (IVIG). There is no cure for MS. However, treatment can improve symptoms as well as 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.
IVIG therapy 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.
LUX Infusion helps manage the individual needs of patients requiring IVIG therapy. As a specialty infusion pharmacy, our clinical teams have extensive training and experience in rare diseases, infusion therapies, and complex medical conditions. 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.
We also administer in-home treatment to provide a more comfortable and convenient infusion experience. The result is safe, consistent, and compassionate treatment for our patients with nursing needs. Where appropriate, our in-home nursing team trains patients to administer their own injectable or infusible drugs, fostering more independence. After the home visit and administration, our nurses also guide patients on continuing with their therapy, help minimize or manage side effects, and answer questions that patients may have throughout their treatment plan.
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.
Citations & 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
(2010). Wazenkewitz, J., McMullen, K., Ehde, D. Self-Management: Keys to Taking Charge of Your MS. Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
(2022). Multiple Sclerosis. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269
