March is MS awareness month.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects nearly 1 million people in the U.S., and women are at higher risk than men. While we still don’t know exactly what causes MS, the disease occurs when your immune system attacks your brain and nerves — most likely because of a combination of environmental and genetic factors.
Symptoms can vary from person to person, come and go, and also mimic other conditions, so the journey to getting a diagnosis can be a long one.
Once you’re finally diagnosed, it can be a relief to have an answer — but it can also be a scary time that comes with its own set of questions.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with MS, it’s important to see a neurologist you can trust to oversee your care. But it can be hard to remember what you want to ask when you’re in the office, so we’ve put together a list you can take with you.
Here are 10 questions to ask your neurologist following an MS diagnosis.
- What type of MS do I have?
- Is MS fatal or will it shorten my life expectancy?
- Is MS hereditary?
- Will I have new MS symptoms over time?
- Will my MS symptoms get worse over time?
- What kind of tests will I need and how often?
- What are the available treatments for MS?
- What are the possible side effects of any medication you recommend for me?
- Will I have the same MS treatment my whole life?
- How will my life change, and how can I better prepare myself for those changes?
Resources
HealthyWomen’s MS Support Finder
National MS Society — Find Support
This educational resource was created with support from Novartis.
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