Past Episodes

My guest is Dr. Jackie Bhattarai and we're talking about her research exploring the disparities in MS-related depression and fatigue symptoms between African-Americans living with MS and Caucasians living with MS. We're also talking about positive clinical trial results for a drug that slows disability progression in people living with primary progressive MS and non-active secondary progressive MS. And we'll tell you about the new MS drug from Novartis that's awaiting FDA and EMA approval. You...

Welcome to this Bonus Episode of RealTalk MS, coming to you from the 2020 ACTRIMS Forum. ACTRIMS is an acronym for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. And this year, 1200 MS research scientists and clinicians have come together to share the latest MS research news and insights. We'll take you inside the proceedings at ACTRIMS and share the highlights of some of the most compelling presentations. My first guest is the recipient of this year's Barancik Prize,...

We're just a week away from the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. And my guest is Diane Kramer, an MS Activist from State College, Pennsylvania, who will be attending the Public Policy Conference for the first time. Diane has experienced some of the same obstacles and frustrations that so many people living with MS experience -- insurance companies preventing her from getting the disease-modifying therapy that her neurologist prescribed, having the high cost of ...

In just two weeks, the National MS Society is hosting its annual Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. The centerpiece of that conference is our Day On The Hill when 300 MS Activists meet with our Congressional Representatives and Senators to discuss the legislative issues that are most important to people affected by MS. My guest is Bari Talente, the Executive Vice President of Advocacy for the National MS Society and we're talking all about this year's Public Policy Conference and the v...

My guest is Dr. Riley Bove, and we're talking about some of the things you might want to consider when you're thinking about getting pregnant, some important things to consider when you are pregnant, some things to discuss when you and your doctor are planning your delivery, and things to be aware of following your pregnancy. We're also talking about the results of two different studies that underscore the important relationship between the gut and MS. We'll give you a few different opportunit...

This past year, a bill was introduced in the California State Assembly that would create more transparency among pharmaceutical companies and make more lower-cost generic drugs available to Californians by making it easier for the California Attorney General to prosecute pharmaceutical companies for so-called "pay for delay" deals. MS Activists in California talked to our state legislators, asking them to support this bill, known as AB 824, and on January 1st, California Governor Gavin Newsom s...

Multiple studies show that early and ongoing treatment with disease-modifying therapy is the most effective way to slow MS progression, modify the course of the disease, and maintain optimal brain health. Yet, for many people living with MS, these life-changing treatments remain out of reach. The National MS Society has released the results of a new survey that demonstrates that this problem may be much larger and more serious than you may have imagined. My guests are Tim Coetzee, the Chief Adv...

Last week, the National MS Society convened the Pathways to Cures Think Tank. I think that we'll look back at this meeting as a historic moment when a flag was planted and intentions were declared. We've taken the first steps toward creating a global consensus for defining specific pathways to stop MS progression, restore lost function, and end MS. The Pathways to Cures Think Tank was an extraordinary event, and we're devoting this entire episode of RealTalk MS to hearing from some of the parti...

We're exploring the healing power of adventure. My guest is Brad Ludden, the founder of First Descents, a non-profit organization that, since 2001, has taken over 10,000 young adult oncology patients on more than 1,000 outdoor adventures that feature activities like rock-climbing, kayaking, and surfing. Last year, First Descents expanded their programming to include outdoor adventures designed for young adults living with MS. And every one of these adventures is offered at no cost to the partici...

Access to MS symptom self-management care is extremely limited. That's why my guest, Dr. Anna Kratz, and her colleagues created My MS Toolkit -- a web-based, self-guided symptom self-care program designed especially for people with MS. (And it's FREE!) We're talking with Dr. Kratz about how My MS Toolkit was developed and what makes it such a powerful online tool for people living with MS. We're also talking about the latest petitions filed with the Supreme Court in the battle over the Afforda...