Multiple Sclerosis Symptom Management

MS is associated with a large variety of symptoms. Few people experience all of the possible changes that can occur. These symptoms can come and go and are not the same in every person. Some of the MS symptoms people experience include fatigue, mood disorders, changes in thinking or memory, sensory changes (numbness, pain, vibrations), motor changes (loss of balance, poor coordination, muscle weakness or stiffness), vision changes (double vision, blurry vision, loss of vision), or bladder and bowel dysfunction. There are treatments available that can help minimize the symptoms an individual may experience. Specialists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neurology, Urology, Pain Medicine, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Speech and Recreational Therapy, and Social Work can help manage the symptoms associated with MS, and are available to Veterans through the VA.

Articles

Intimacy and Sexuality

Barbara (Bobbie) J. Severson, MSCN, MSN, ARNP

Swedish MS Center, Seattle, Washington

Visual

Visual Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis
Robert Shin, MD
Baltimore VA Medical Center - Maryland

Spasticity

Multiple Sclerosis and Spasticity
Rachael L. Palmieri, MS, RN-C/ANP
Albany VA Medical Center - New York

Nahid Veit, RN, MSN, CRRN

Tampa VA Medical Center - Florida

Spasticity: Take Control
Cinda Hugos, MS, PT
Portland VA Medical Center, Oregon

Bladder and Bowel

Bowel Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis
Lynne Walker, BSN, CRRN, MSCN

Snohomish, Washington

Provider’s Approach to Bladder Management in Multiple Sclerosis

Claire C. Yang, MD, Urologist 

VA Puget Sound Health Care System - Seattle, Washington

Pain

Multiple Sclerosis Pain
Heidi Maloni, PhD, ANP-BC

Washington, DC VA Medical Center 

Fatigue

Fatigue and MS – A Medical Perspective

Lauren Krupp MD, Professor of Neurology and Psychology
State University of New York at Stony Brook
James Hunziker, MSN, ARNP
VA Puget Sound Health Care System - Seattle, Washington

Jacqueline A. Hall, MS, OTR/L, MSCS

James Hunziker, MSN, ARNP, CRRN

VA Puget Sound Health Care System - Seattle, Washington

Swallowing

Provider’s Approach to Swallowing Problems in Multiple Sclerosis

Katherine Walker, M.A., CCC-SLP, Denver VA Medical Center - Colorado

Marilyn Selinger, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Section Chief Audiology/Speech Pathology

Denver VA Medical Center - Colorado

Keeping Balance

Carolyn Bacon, Junior majoring in neuroscience
Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Michelle Cameron, MD, PT - Neurologist
Portland, Oregon