Cognitive Changes And Ms
About half of all people with MS will experience issues with aspects of cognition, memory, attention span, planning, decision-making, understanding or concentration. These symptoms may be mild and not noticed by others or can be more serious, and begin impacting on employment, social interactions and relationships.
Reporting cognitive changes early to your GP, MS nurse or neurologist, can lead to a formal assessment to identify specific areas of concern and interventions to better manage your cognitive function and quality of life.
Could I Experience Weight Gain During My Ocrevus Treatment
Its not likely. In studies, weight gain wasnt reported in people who used Ocrevus for multiple sclerosis .
Some people who received Ocrevus for primary progressive MS reported swelling in their arms or legs. Swelling can sometimes cause weight gain. If you have swelling with Ocrevus, talk with your doctor. They may prescribe medication to help ease this side effect.
Some people with MS gain weight if their symptoms make it harder to exercise or move around as usual. But there could also be many other reasons for gaining weight.
Talk with your doctor if you experience unwanted weight gain while having Ocrevus treatment. They can help you figure out what might be causing the weight gain and how to manage it.
Hair Loss Seen In Rrms Patients Using Aubagio Often Temporary And Mild Study Says
Hair thinning in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients using Aubagio is usually mild and temporary, and does not require stopping treatment, a small real-world study reports.
The research, Real-World Observational Evaluation of Hair Thinning in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Receiving Teriflunomide: Is It an Issue in Clinical Practice?, was published in the journal Neurology and Therapy.
MS patients treated with disease-modifying therapies have sometimes been found to experience a loss or thinning of hair, a change that can be upsetting. In the case of Aubagio , a once-daily oral immunomodulatory treatment, a 1014% hair loss compared to 5% with placebo was reported in an analysis of its clinical trial data, and similar findings have come through case reports.
Most hair-thinning events were observed in the first six months of treatment, and described by clinicians as mild or moderate and not requiring a change in therapy to resolve. No cases of complete hair loss were reported.
To provide patients with appropriate expectations before starting Aubagio, a team of scientists conducted an assessment of hair thinning in real-world clinical practice.
The study funded by Sanofi and including three company researchers among its six team members was conducted at nine MS centers in the U.S. between 2013 and 2015. It included RRMS patients who reported hair thinning while using Aubagio at its two approved doses 7 mg and 14 mg.
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Hair Loss Is A Side Effect Of Some Dmds How Bad Is It And Does It Get Better
Nikki says: Generally the hair loss people experience isnt clumps of hair that fall out and cause bald patches. Instead its better described as hair thinning.
Its not possible to predict whether youll experience this as a side effect or not. Some people will not get any hair loss, other people will feel that when they shower and wash their hair there is more hair in the plughole. Its very individual foreach person.
Although you may notice your hair getting thinner in places it will generally regrow over time.
If you are worried about experiencing hair loss as a side effect, I would say its not a reason not to start on a DMD but it is an individual decision. It might help to speak to your MS team and ask how common this side effect was in clinical trials of the drug youre considering.
The main drug hair loss is associated with is Aubagio, but there have also been less common cases in beta interferon, Gilenya, Tecfidera and Lemtrada.
Hair loss can also be caused by other factors too, such as stress, anxiety or drugs for treating pain.
If youre on a DMD and experiencing hair loss which is bothering you, it does need to be reviewed by your MS team.
Alopecia Universalis Following Alemtuzumab Treatment In Multiple Sclerosis: A Barely Recognized Manifestation Of Secondary Autoimmunityreport Of A Case And Review Of The Literature
- 1Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- 2Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
Secondary autoimmunity is the most frequent adverse event occurring in almost every other alemtuzumab-treated multiple sclerosis patient. We report a case of a patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis who reported smooth, circular areas of complete hair loss on both thighs 6 months after the second treatment cycle with alemtuzumab. The patient was diagnosed as having alopecia areata . Within 3 months, AA progressed to complete loss of all body hair . Current literature rarely connects alemtuzumab with the onset of alopecia of autoimmune origin. Here, we report a little-noticed autoimmune disease affecting the skin, very likely being associated with alemtuzumab. We emphasize the necessity of careful clinical surveillance of alemtuzumab-treated patients for yet undescribed autoimmune diseases.
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Surprising Symptoms Of Multiple Sclerosis
Many people with MS experience fatigue and mobility issues, but there are other, less common symptoms.
When you have multiple sclerosis , damage to the nerve fibers in the central nervous system causes the signals between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body go awry, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society . This interference in the transmission of nerve signals is what causes the symptoms of MS.
While symptoms vary greatly from person to person, and can get better or worse over time, more common symptoms include fatigue, walking difficulties, numbness or tingling, spasticity, weakness, vision problems, dizziness, bladder and bowel problems, sexual problems, pain, cognitive and emotional changes, and depression, per the NMSS.
However, there are also some less common symptoms of MS.
“What’s surprising about MS symptoms is that they can affect so many different functions that people rely on every day in their lives,” says Rosalind Kalb, PhD, vice president of the Professional Resource Center at the NMSS. “Some are physical, some emotional, and some intellectual. We tend to focus on the ones we can all see, but many people may be living with a variety of symptoms that just aren’t apparent.”
Here are some of the less common, more surprising symptoms that you might not be aware of.
Treatments Given By Iv Infusion
In 2000 , was approved by the FDA for the long-term treatment of MS. This was the first drug indicated for RRMS, secondary-progressive MS , and worsening RRMS. Novantrone has been used for many years to treat cancer. It is given via intravenous infusion once every three months. Side effects may include cardiac disease and leukemia, and for this reason, patients must be closely monitored and are limited to a maximum of two to three years of treatment with this drug. Because of the potential risks and with the approval of more long-term treatments for MS, Novantrone is seldom prescribed for individuals with MS. Anyone taking Novantrone now or given Novantrone previously needs to have annual evaluations of his or her heart function , even if no longer receiving this medication.
In 2004, Tysabri® , was approved for relapsing forms of MS. It is administered via intravenous infusion every four weeks. After its initial approval, Tysabri was temporarily suspended after two individuals developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy , which if not discovered early, is an often-fatal viral infection of the brain. Since that time, Tysabri has been re-approved and patients are closely monitored through the TOUCH Prescribing Program.
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Does Ocrevus Cause Any Eye
Its unlikely. Eye-related side effects werent reported in studies of people who used Ocrevus.
But herpes infections have been reported in people using Ocrevus, and these infections can sometimes affect the eyes. Herpes eye infections have been reported with Ocrevus since this drug has been on the market. These infections are rare.
See your doctor right away if you have symptoms of a herpes eye infection while receiving Ocrevus. These may include eye pain or redness, and changes in vision.
If you have a herpes eye infection during Ocrevus treatment, your doctor will likely prescribe antiviral medication to treat it. They may also delay your next dose of Ocrevus until the infection has cleared up.
Ocrevus Use With Other Drugs
Your doctor may recommend that you take certain medications before you get each dose of Ocrevus. These medications can help lower your risk for having side effects from the infusion.
Youll usually be given a corticosteroid such as methylprednisolone about 30 minutes before your Ocrevus infusion. Like Ocrevus, this drug is given intravenously .
Youll also be given an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine , about 30 to 60 minutes before your Ocrevus infusion. You may also take acetaminophen or another fever-reducing drug before starting your infusion.
Talk with your doctor about which medications youll need to take before your Ocrevus infusions.
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Hold On Is Hair Loss A Side Effect Of Ms
So, kind of. Hair loss actually has less to do with the MS itself and more to do with treatment someone might be on, explains Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD, a neurologist and neuroscientist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif.
A number of medications can help slow the progression of disease but some are quite potent, he says. Some are even chemotherapy drugs and can cause things like hair loss,” though it’s unclear exactly what medication Selma is on for her MS.
While there it’s possible to switch medications if they’re causing unwanted side effects , Dr. Kesari says not to make that decision too hastily. “If hair loss is related to a drug and the drug is actually helping the MS, you want to consider that,” he says.
Props again to Selma for being so honest about her MS symptomssharing her struggles is hopefully helping a lot of other people with the disease realize they’re not alone.
When You Wear Tightly Pulled Back Hairstyles
Why it happens: Scalp tugging
As much as Bella Hadid and Kim K make us want to rock a sexy slicked-back bun, these tightly pulled-back hairstyles can lead to major scalp pain, and even worse, traction alopecia, said Dr. Bailey. Traction alopecia is a gradual balding that occurs when your follicles become damaged by too-tight hairstyles.
At the very least, your tight hairstyles will lead to scalp tenderness from the prolonged pressure on the nerve endings at the root of your delicate hair follicles.
What you can do about it: Change the way you treat and style your hair.
To avoid alopecia, Dr. Bailey recommends sticking to soft rollers, rubber bands or hair ties and opt for looser hairstyles instead. And when it comes to styling your hair, consider opting for loose styles instead of anything that pulls at your precious scalp. Nighttime is no exception sleeping with your hair tied up can result in some unwanted soreness.
You can also try GRO Hair Serum, which includes a unique combo of clinically-tested, plant-derived phyto-actives to soothe the scalp and revitalize hair roots.
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What To Ask Your Doctor
Ocrevus is an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis , but it can sometimes cause side effects. In particular, it can cause infusion reactions and increase your risk for infections. Infusion reactions and infections are usually mild, but they can sometimes be serious.
You should discuss the possible risks and benefits of this treatment with your doctor. This can help you decide if Ocrevus is right for you.
If you have questions about the side effects of Ocrevus, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Examples of questions you might want to ask include:
- How do side effects from Ocrevus compare with side effects from other MS treatments?
- If I have an infusion reaction, will I need to stay in a hospital?
- Are there any vaccinations I should receive before starting Ocrevus? Are there vaccines I cant get during treatment?
- Does Ocrevus raise my risk for getting COVID-19? Can I receive the COVID-19 vaccine during my treatment?
For self-care tips, treatment updates, and other helpful information, sign up for the Healthline MS newsletter.
How Diet Affects Hair Loss
Hair loss is a common condition known as alopecia in the medical field.
It has many known causes, including (
- infection
- chemotherapy
4 ).
Hair typically grows at a rate of 0.35 mm per day. The scalp sheds about 100 hairs per day, which can increase with hair care practices like washing and brushing .
Hair follicles are highly active and sensitive. In fact, hair follicle cells are among the most rapidly dividing cells in your body, so its no surprise that nutrient deficiencies can negatively affect hair growth .
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View Msaas Chart Of Approved Treatments
In 2014, the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition published two papers detailing the current evidence that supports the FDA-approved disease-modifying therapies for the long-term treatment of multiple sclerosis . The first paper was written for medical professionals. The second paper summarizes the information and has been written for members of the MS community. To view either of these papers, please go to the following links:
For medical professionals :
*Additional information about interferons: Some individuals develop neutralizing antibodies to the interferons , but their impact on the effectiveness of these medications has not been established. Many continue to do well on these drugs despite the presence of NABs. Others may have sub-optimal results even without NABs present.
The MS Council and the American Academy of Neurology have concluded that the higher-dosed interferons are likely to be more effective than lower-dosed interferons. Several factors, however, must be considered when selecting one of these drugs, and this decision must be made on an individual basis under the guidance of a qualified physician.
Please note that MSAA does not endorse or recommend any specific drug or treatment. Individuals are advised to consult with a physician about the potential benefits and risks of the different treatment therapies.
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Psychological Aspects Of Ms
Mood issues can be very common in MS, not just around the time of diagnosis, but at various stages of life. The most common mood disturbances are depression and anxiety which can be short or long term.
The most important thing to remember is to talk to your MS healthcare team as soon as you start to notice symptoms, so that you can access appropriate help, to improve your quality of life.
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