Caregiving

Pregnant women with relapsing-remitting MS commonly experience reduced relapse rates, especially during months seven to nine. Understanding how this hormone-driven benefit occurs naturally in pregnancy may help us develop a new MS therapy for all. (This MS Society UK article explains more: mssociety.org.uk/research/explore-our-research/search-our-re...

And this is just what Dr. Manuel A. Friese, winner of this year's prestigious Barancik Prize, is working on right now: www.nationalmssociety.org/news-and-magazine/news/friese-2025...

#MultipleSclerosis #Pregnancy #MightyTogether #ChronicIllness #Caregiving #newlydiagnosed #autoimmune #Disability

In the mornings, and other times too, I sometimes feel a tickle-twitch-minispasm-tightness on my side, right under my ribs. It doesn't feel bad exactly — but slightly uncomfortable + good + weird all at the same time. It makes me think of a Beatles* song, and I raise my elbow and call down (in John Lennon's voice), "Hey Junior, behave yourself!"

It might be the "MS hug," a combo of muscle spasticity and dysesthesia or misfiring/confusion of signals and sensations due to nerve damage. Dysesthesia causes the feeling of tightness across the torso that is the typical MS hug, but may also cause the tremors in my legs, or the icy feeling in my friend's face (who otherwise had no other symptoms).

Often I can chase Junior away with blankets & heat, exercise, or muscle-relaxant baclofen. But if it's winter, I know that rascal will probably find his way back again.

* US singer Larry Williams wrote and sang the original.

#MShug #dysesthesia #MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #ChronicIllness #Caregiving #newlydiagnosed #autoimmune #Disability

With your doctors help, it's usually a good idea to supplement with vitamin D. A ton of evidence shows a link between MS and deficiency of vitamin D. This 2025 study shows that vitamin D may delay early disease activity. Studies show nearly two-thirds of Americans have vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to osteoporosis.

Learn more about this and other 2025 MS research findings at Top 10 MS news stories of 2025

#MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #ChronicIllness #Caregiving #newlydiagnosed #autoimmune #Disability

#MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #ChronicIllness #Caregiving #newlydiagnosed #autoimmune #Disability

Connect and learn with others who are new to multiple sclerosis and navigating their own journeys. This program offers info on MS and its symptoms, and advice on how to manage your case. Talk to attendees, ask questions of a health care professional and a volunteer who is living with MS, and share your own experiences.

Also find the New to MS Resource Guide on the same page, with info from the program. Note: This program repeats on the second Thursday of every month.

Sign up at www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/Newly-Diagnosed/New-to-MS

#MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #newlydiagnosed #Disability #Caregiving #autoimmune

Tomorrow's Ask an MS Expert can help: "Enhancing Sleep Health," 1-8-26 at 12-12:30 p.m. ET

Sleep is crucial for people with MS dealing with fatigue, spasticity or cognitive changes. Learn about the 4 domains of sleep health and the science behind good sleep from Katie Siengsukon, professor of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science and Athletic Training at the Kansas University Medical Center.

Streaming on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch. www.nationalmssociety.org/how-you-can-help/get-involved/cale...

This program originally aired on May 8, 2025. All programs are recorded and available at the MS Society's YouTube channel.

#sleep #MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #newlydiagnosed #Disability #Caregiving #autoimmune