SPMS is one of the four universally known types of multiple sclerosis. In this disease form, there is a rapid neurological damage which may be accompanied by relapses and remissions. People with SPMS would have undergone a phase of Relapsing/Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) lasting from two to more years. The damage is rapid in this stage of disease but rate of increased disability varies among people.

In the SPMS form, lesions formation is decreased than in RRMS but general deterioration continues. This may be due to greater loss of axonal. SPSS patients form 30% of the total Multiple Sclerosis population. Reasons for progression of disability from the beginning of disease to its secondary state are still not known fully. The advanced forms of MS have not yielded to treatment. The affect of legendary immunosuppresion as a treatment has been at best, meagre. So far, interferons and glatiramer have proved effective. Clinical Results have shown positive effect of these drugs on chronic patients.

In case of MS, the crux lies in overall management of disease. Being a debilitating disease, it causes inconsistent bladder movements, pain, depression, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, tremor, paroxysmal disorders and heat intolerance. A holistic system of disease management may reduce the trauma.

Treatment

Interferon beta-1b is most common treatment for SPMS and has been seen to significantly reduce the progression of disease-linked disability. Interferons help in regulating immune system of the body. In SPMS, it restricts the activities of disease causing white-blood cells. As a result of this medication, there is a significant difference in time between relapses. The size of lesions is also diminished, as a result. It is taken in injectible dose and side effects include flu-like symptoms and reaction around injection area. In certain cases, patients do not respond to interferons. If a patient does not respond to interferon after being treated for 6 months, it is obvious that interferon is not working. The body may have produced neutralizing antibodies to interferon. Another disadvantage is that interferon is an expensive drug. Mitoxantrone is known to restrain certain cells of the body that destroy myelin in central nervous system.

As a result, rate of relapse gets delayed and progression of disability is reduced. Mitoxantrone (Novantrone) has shown effectiveness in PMS although its side effects can cause severe complications. It is a chemotherapy medication and is given intravenously every three month. It can also be given on monthly basis depending on the severity of the disease. The side effects include potential toxicities including cardiac toxicity. A cardiologist’s opinion should be sought before starting the medication of Mitoxantrone.

In addition, muscle relaxants, Anticholiergics, Urinary Tract Antispasmodics, anticonvulsants, central nervous system stimulant, antidepressants; NSAIDS can be used to combat common symptoms of MS.

© Groth Inc 2007

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Here are ten facts you may wish to know about multiple sclerosis:

” Attacks occur, remit and recur, randomly over many years.

” The disease begins most commonly in early adult life. Mean age of onset is about 30 years. Poor prognostic factors include older males; motor signs at onset; many relapses early on and many lesions seen on MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the brain.

” The frequency of flare-up is greatest during the first 3 to 4 years of the disease, but a first attack which may have been so mild as to escape medical attention and can barely be recalled, may not be followed by another attack for 10 to 20 years.

” During typical episodes, symptoms worsen over a period of a few days to 2 to 3 weeks and then remit. Recovery is usually rapid over a period of weeks, although at times it may extend over several months. The extent of recovery varies markedly between sufferers and from one attack to the next in the same person.

” Remission may be complete, especially after early attacks; often, however, remission is incomplete and one attack follows another, a stepwise downward progression ensues with increasing permanent deficit.

” In perhaps as many as 33% of cases the disease declares itself as a slowly but inexorably progressive illness. This is particularly likely to be the case if onset is after age 40. Although some sufferers die within the first few years of disease onset, most do not, and the average survival from the disease is better than 30 years after onset of the disease. Some sufferers experience no progressive disablement at all.

” Classic features include poor vision (optic neuritis), nystagmus, dysarthria, decreased perception of vibration and position sense, ataxia and intention tremor, weakness or paralysis of one or more limbs, spasticity, and bladder problems.

” Many scattered, discrete areas of demyelination, termed plaques, are the pathological hallmark of the disease.

” The cause of the disease remains unknown and no available test is diagnostic of the disease. A role for immune-mediated or infectious factors has been suggested, but data to support these postulates are fragmentary and indirect. Blood relatives (like parents and siblings) of persons with multiple sclerosis have an eight fold increased risk of developing the disease. This suggests that genetic factors may play a role in the disease susceptibility.

” Females are more affected than males. Females account for 60% of cases. For the disease to begin in childhood or beyond 60 years of age is uncommon but not unknown. In general, incidence in temperate climate zones exceeds that in tropical zones. The incidence is high in Northern Europe, Canada and Northern United States: approximately 10 new cases each year per 100, 000 persons between the ages of 20 and 50. The incidence in Australia, New Zealand, and the Southern USA is one-third to one-half of that; in Japan, elsewhere in the orient, and in Africa the disease is rare. Some epidemiologic evidence also suggests that persons migrating from high to low-risk regions as children may be partially protected from the disease. Adult travelers take their risk with them and children acquire the risk of where they settle.

For more information on ten things you may not know or wish to know about various diseases please visit: http://www.modelbiz-pauly123.blogspot.com

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No-one likes to think they may ever develop a disease as serious in its implications as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, to be forewarned is indeed to be forearmed and early diagnosis can make a great difference to a patient’s progress. This article looks at some of the main early onset symptoms of the disease.

Due to the constraints placed on space within this article, only a brief overview of symptoms is possible. If you suspect you may be affected by any of the following symptoms of MS, consult your physician.

Visual symptoms include:

Optic Neuritis: This causes loss of colour vision, eye pain, blurred vision and (ultimately) blindness.

Afferent Pupillary Defect: This gives rise to abnormal response of the pupil of the eye.

Movement and sounds phosphenes: These can cause ‘flashing lights’ to be seen when moving the eyes or in response to a sudden noise.

Nystagmus: this causes the eyes to move jerkily instead of smoothly.

Diplopia: The medical term for ‘double vision’.

Ocular Dysmetria: this causes constant under- or over-shooting of eye movements

Motor symptoms include:

Paresis; Monoparesis; Paraparesis; Hemiparesis and Quadraperesis: all names for muscle weakness, up to and including partial or mild paralysis.

Spasticity: this causes stiffness, pain and restriction of free movement of limbs due to loss of muscle tone.

Muscle atrophy: the wasting away of muscle tissue due to lack of use.

Restless leg syndrome: these are involuntary leg movements, particularly bothersome at night.

Hypotonia; Clonus: posture problems.

Footdrop: this is when the foot drags along the floor when walking.

Dysarthia: speech problems including slurring of speech.

Co-ordination and balance symptoms:

Dystonia: Slow feedback of limb position.

Intention tremor: Shaking when fine movements are attempted.

Ataxia: General loss of co-ordination.

Speech ataxia: stuttering and general problems with speech co-ordination.

Vestibular ataxia: abnormal functioning of the inner ear - can cause vertigo.

These are just some of the main symptoms of MS. There are many more in other areas but to list them all is well beyond the scope of this article. It is important, however, to realise that ignoring any of the above symptoms - particularly if they are tending to grow more severe or frequent - can lead to greater problems as the disease advances.

Although no cure is known for MS, there are many treatments available that do help control the condition to a greater or lesser extent and life expectancy - though perhaps not life quality - is roughly the same for those affected by Multiple Sclerosis as those who are not.

Again, if any of the above symptoms seem relevant to you, it is important to consult your doctor or physician. The symptoms you are having may be totally unrelated to Multiple Sclerosis but the old adage - better sure than sorry - certainly applies here.

If you’d like more information about aids to mobility or have mobility issues, pay us a visit at Electric Mobility World

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You may have heard about the disease normally known as Multiple Sclerosis - but what is it and what causes it?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system. First described by Jean-Martin Charcot in 1868, MS(formerly known as disseminated sclerosis) is more common in women than in men and typically affects - depending on country and actual population - between 2 and 150 people per 100,000. The disease usually has its onset in early adulthood.

The disease affects the ‘white matter’ of the brain. Cells in white matter - present in the brain and spinal cord - carry signals for processing to ‘grey matter’ areas and also between these areas and the rest of the body. MS affects the neurons in the white matter - specifically destroying the cells known as ‘oligodendrocytes’ that are cells responsible for creating the ‘myelin sheath’ - a fatty layer that assists the neurons in the carrying of electrical signals.

The effect of the disease thins or destroys the myelin, though it can also cut the neuron’s extensions or ‘axons’. With loss of the myelin, the neurons cannot continue to effectively transmit their electrical signals, giving rise to the symptoms of the disease. The name ‘Multiple Sclerosis’ actually refers to plaques or lesions in the white matter - also called scleroses (scars). The loss of myelin in scarred regions cause some of the symptoms of the disease, which vary widely depending on just which signals are interrupted or lost.

MS appears in several forms, including progressive (accumulative) and relapsing (discrete) forms. Symptoms may disappear completely between attacks but permanent neurological issues tend to persist, particularly as the disease advances.

The cause of MS is unknown, despite much being known about the actual way the disease works upon the human body. The general opinion is that it is caused by attacks by the immune system upon the body’s own nervous system. Other theories claim that it is metabolically dependent whilst still others cite a virus as the cause. Still others claim that, as MS is almost unknown in tropical regions it may be caused by a lack of vitamin D in childhood.

Sadly, there is no cure -yet! - for Multiple Sclerosis and treatments tend to focus on returning function and mobility after an attack, the prevention of further attacks and the avoidance of disability. Many patients pursue ‘alternative medicine’ remedies, despite there being little evidence of effectiveness.

The expected course of the disease (prognosis) depends on exactly which type of the disease is present, initial symptoms, individual characteristics and degrees of disability experienced or likely to be tolerated by the sufferer. The life expectancy of people with MS is, however, virtually identical with healthy, unaffected people and in many cases a near-normal life is possible.

If for any reason you suspect that you may be affected by Multiple Sclerosis, a visit to your doctor or specialist is of paramount importance - if indeed you do have this illness, early diagnosis is immensely important to your future well-being.

If you’d like more information about aids to mobility or have mobility issues, pay us a visit at Electric Mobility World

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Introduction

Multiple Sclerosis, more commonly referred to as MS, is a progressive disease of the nervous system along with a hardening of the muscles and can often result in damage to the nerves of the face, a painful condition known as “trigeminal neuralgia”. MS is a diagnosis that can be made only after every other possible explanation for the signs and symptoms has been ruled out. An interesting observation: People in non-Westernized and/or non-Christian societies rarely, if ever, eat Pork or use Pork products, and rarely, if ever, suffer from Muscular Sclerosis.

Symptoms

The diagnosis of MS is based upon a clinical evaluation including documentation of “symptoms” and “signs” of the disease. The diagnosis of clinically definite MS requires documentation of two distinct episodes of symptoms and two or more signs evident from the neurological examination. Symptomatic episodes must last at least 24 hours and be separated by one or more months. The diagnosis can be difficult to establish, especially when the initial symptoms are unaccompanied by signs, abnormalities on MRI or electrophysiological tests, or analyses of spinal fluid. Even when the initial symptoms IS accompanied by abnormalities on the neurological examination, it is still possible that the correct diagnosis is something other than MS.

The symptoms are not unlike those of diabetes and impending stroke victims. Some of the signs include blurred vision, loss of muscle strength and coordination, numbness, and tremors, all of which inhibit many from living a normal life. Even when there are no symptoms, there is progression of damage to the central nervous system over time. After initial symptoms, there may be gradual improvement, sometimes after several weeks. In some, these symptoms can occur early in the disease; in others, they can come later. If you are experiencing any of these feelings or symptoms, discuss them with your MD or Health Care Practioner.

Conclusion

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The Latin word for scar is sclerosis. Thus, the term multiple sclerosis was chosen to describe the appearance of the brain in patients who died with this illness. The symptoms depend largely on which particular nerve fiber pathway is involved in the CNS.

Although the cause is unknown, evidence suggests that the disease may result from an environmental agent that triggers the illness in a genetically susceptible individual. Support for this theory includes the observation that the disease is diagnosed more frequently in temperate than tropical or subtropical climates. Men with multiple sclerosis can find it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection. In women, multiple sclerosis often causes a loss of sexual sensitivity, pain during intercourse, an inability to achieve an orgasm, or a reduction in naturally produced lubrication. Like most other MS symptoms, these problems can be temporary (during a relapse), or they can be a permanent result of the progression of the disease.

Many people with the disease experience fatigue or tiredness, but since fatigue can be a sign of so many other diseases, it is not often immediately identified as being caused by multiple sclerosis. There are a number of medicines available to help manage MS. They fall into two basic categories: Medicines that treat symptoms, Medicines that treat the underlying disease. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best treatment option. for you.

Richard H. Ealom is the Author of this article and the creator of “Free Articles On Diseases: How To Prevent and Cure Them”. Need more information Please visit our website @ http://rainydrops.com/a-multiple-sclerosis/multiple-sclerosis.php or http://rainydrops.com/alternative-orthodox.php

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In some people, it is a mild illness. In others, it can lead to permanent disability. This is the nature of multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable disease that affects 300,000 people in the United States alone.

Myelin is a fatlike substance that covers the nerve fiber found in the brain and spinal cord. It is an essential part of the nervous system since it enables the nerves to carry electrical impulses to and from the brain where they can be acted upon by the appropriate part of the body.

In multiple sclerosis (MS), myelin is damaged for unknown reasons. As a result, normal nerve impulse transmission is impaired and the person experiences a variety of symptoms depending on which part of the brain and spinal cord is affected.

“An electrical short circuit develops, and normal electrical impulses cannot be carried by the nerves. The type of symptoms that result depends on where in the brain and spinal cord this process takes place, but usually, multiple sites are involved. Myelin has some ability to repair itself, but with repeated attacks of inflammation, scarring (sclerosis) takes place and permanent loss of function may result,” according to Dr. Timothy A. Pedley in “The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Complete-Home Medical Guide.”

MS is believed to be an autoimmune disorder wherein the body develops antibodies to attack myelin. Some say a virus is behind this disorder. The victims fall between the ages of 20 and 40, and are usually women. Symptoms may appear slowly or rapidly and the disease may disappear from time to time.

In the early stages, MS may be marked by blurred or double vision, difficulty walking, weakness, numbness or a tingling sensation. Later, the patient may suffer from tremors, loss of bladder or bowel control, difficulty speaking, and impotence.

“It is not possible to provide a typical picture of multiple sclerosis. Some of the common symptoms, however, include loss of vision in one eye, double vision, loss of coordination and trembling of a hand, instability in walking, spasticity, loss of bladder control, and peculiar spontaneous sensations such as pins-and-needles feeling over part of the body, called paresthesias. At first the patient may have only intermittent symptoms. Since the physical examination at this stage may be completely normal, the patient’s complaints may be dismissed initially as ‘pyschosomatic’ or ‘hysterical,’” Pedley explained.

While some patients may recover dramatically, MS is an incurable disease and the survival rate of sufferers can fall anywhere from a few weeks to 50 years. For relief of symptoms, the doctor may prescribe cortisone drugs together with physical therapy to retain muscle function.

“Adequate rest and sleep are important. Complications such as bed sores, contractures, spasms, and bladder and kidney infections can usually be prevented with physiotherapy and good nursing care. Excessive heat should be avoided. Psychotherapy may help in rehabilitation. Very strenuous and fatiguing exercise is not beneficial and may be harmful,” said Kurt Butler and Dr. Lynn Rayner of the University Of Hawaii in “The Best Medicine.”

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Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com

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I have to apologize for not many articles in the past month or so. I’ve had a rough first part of 2008. On January 29th my computer suddenly and without warning froze up and I lost all my pictures, documents and addresses for everything. Being kind of a computer novice I didn’t know that this could happen! I’ve now learned a lot about how a computer works and the need for backup hard drive. Anyway, it took 2 weeks to find someone close to me that could work on it and not cost me my firstborn! I got it back yesterday but I’m missing so much stuff and I’m trying to regroup. So please bear with me.

At about the same time as my computer problems 2 weeks ago I had what I’ll call my worst ever exacerbation. The left side of my body suddenly went numb/tingly. It went up and down my left leg, the left side of my chest and back, both feet and my left buttock! It’s hard to describe the feeling. It wasn’t so numb that I couldn’t feel a pin prick and it didn’t feel like a leg that has fallen asleep. All I knew was that it felt strange to the touch. Then just last week I suddenly couldn’t walk at all. I normally ride my scooter outside and use a walker in my apartment but starting last week I couldn’t even navigate my walker in my apartment! My feet wouldn’t lift off the ground. I could just get off my scooter to sit down on a chair. That’s how far I could walk. I don’t know how many of you have felt this way but it’s a helpless feeling and many thoughts ran through my head as to what was going on.

Since I’m now considered to have secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and I was told I shouldn’t have anymore exacerbations I didn’t know what to think. I scheduled an appointment with my neurologist. I have a new neurologist and I guess she didn’t think I was important enough to see so I had her physicians assistant look at me. I’m really getting tired of the American health care situation! But that’s another can of beans to open at some other time. So my PA asked me some questions, poked me with a safety pin everywhere and I could feel it and tested some of my coordination. I asked him if I could still have exacerbations with secondary progressive MS and he said he wasn’t sure. I may still have relapsing remitting MS because he said my MRI in August showed some unsettled areas in my brain where plaque could grow. I guess I’ll have to wait and see what develops.

He scheduled me for three days of intravenous steroids which I completed yesterday. This is interesting. Medicare will pay for 1000 MGs of steroids if I took them intravenously. But I would have to go into the hospital to get the 1000 MGS. But they would only pay for 50 MGs if I took them orally! I live forty miles from the hospital round trip so I put on 120 miles over the three days. I get 15 miles to the gallon with my vehicle so I had to pay for an extra 8 gallons of gas at $3.00 per gallon or $24.00 because Medicare wouldn’t pay for 1000 MGs of oral steroids. I’m not cheap but nowadays I have to watch my money and I didn’t need to spend an additional $24 for gas.

The steroids work quickly and as of now just one day from taking them I now have a lot of the feeling back on my left side. And this morning I started using my walker again in my apartment which is good news! One thing that was difficult when my legs weren’t working was this. I could only lift my feet about a half inch off the floor. I was having trouble putting on my underwear and jeans each morning. After a couple of days I figured this one out. I would grab my right leg and cross it over my left leg. Then I would hook my underwear around my right ankle. Then I would put my right foot down and pull my underwear up. Then I would grab the middle of my underwear and hold my left leg over my right one so I could hook my underwear over my left ankle. Then I put my left leg on the floor, stood up and pulled on my underwear. Then I did the same thing with my jeans. I hope this all made sense to you because it did work for me. Until you’re in a situation like this a person doesn’t realize everything that they take for granted on a daily basis.

Then I was worried about loading my scooter in my van. It’s icy, snowy and slippery where I live and I knew the traction wouldn’t be too good. I figured this one out, too! I sat down on the back end of my van and lifted the seat off my scooter. I have a real heavy seat on my scooter. I got that off easily and I have a lift in my van that does all the heavy work of putting my 300 pound scooter in the back end. When I got to the hospital I unloaded my scooter and then sat down on the back end of my van again. I parked the scooter close enough so I could hook my feet under the floor of the scooter and they wouldn’t slide anywhere. Then I lifted my chair onto the seat post and away I went. I know this sounds kind of silly but I never had to do it this way before. When legs and balance don’t work anymore a person has to think ahead to figure out how things can get done. I got it done and I’ve now eliminated some anxiety that I had about how I could load my scooter when my legs eventually quit working. Everything is possible and to date I’ve conquered all my challenges concerning my multiple sclerosis.

Jon Wegner is a 50 year old resident of a small town close to Fargo, ND. He’s lived there for four years after being lifelong Minnesotan. Jon has multiple sclerosis and now rides his electric scooter 95% of the time. He can be seen scooting all over his little town daily. Jon’s website, e-book, FREE newsletter and articles can be found at http://www.mymsbookandnewsletter.com Sign up for his FREE monthly newsletter there, too. His top affiliate site can be found at http://www.scooterjon3958.com

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. A fatty tissue called myelin surrounds and protects the nerve fibers of the CNS, which helps nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses. With MS, myelin is lost in multiple areas, leaving scar tissue called sclerosis. These damaged areas are also known as plaques or lesions. The nerve fiber itself can also be damaged or broken.

Myelin protects nerve fibers and makes their job possible. When myelin and/or the nerve fiber are destroyed or damaged, the ability of the nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain is disrupted. This produces the various symptoms of multiple sclerosis including:

• Changes in sensation (hypoesthesia)
• Muscle weakness
• Abnormal muscle spasms, or difficulty in moving
• Difficulties with coordination and balance (ataxia)
• Problems in speech (dysarthria) or swallowing (dysphagia)
• Visual problems such as blurred vision or involuntary rapid eye movement (nystagmus, optic neuritis, or diplopia)
• Fatigue and acute or chronic pain syndromes
• Bowel or bladder problems
• Cognitive impairment
• Problems with sexual function
• Sensitivity to heat
• Mood swings
• Increased susceptibility to clinical depression
• Problems with memory, judgment, or reasoning (cognitive problems)
• Partial or complete paralysis (in severe cases)

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis depend on which areas of the central nervous system have been attacked. The symptoms vary for those affected by the disease and also vary from time to time ranging from mild to severe. Generally, a person with MS will experience more than one symptom, but not all of them. The most common initial symptoms of multiple sclerosis are:

• Changes in sensation in the arms, legs or face (33 percent)
• Complete or partial vision loss (16 percent)
• Weakness (13 percent)
• Double vision (7 percent)
• Unsteadiness when walking (5 percent)
• Balance problems (3 percent)

Fifteen percent of individuals have multiple symptoms when they first seek medical attention. For some people, the initial MS attack is preceded by infection, trauma, or strenuous physical effort.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At http://www.myguidesusa.com you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.

Find information on the causes and risk factors of multiple sclerosis, MS symptoms, types of multiple sclerosis, diagnosing MS, and treatment and care of multiple sclerosis at http://multiplesclerosis.myguidesusa.com

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MS or Multiple Sclerosis is something that affects one in every 1,000 people in America. It is quite serious and the body’s own immune system is the culprit, as it attacks the body’s central nervous system, with often horrible consequences. One thing you can do is to spread awareness, volunteer to help or donate money to groups such as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or the MSAA Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. Every bit helps, money helps too, in order to continue the much needed research to find a solution.

Luckily, there has been some recent notable progress and perhaps within the decade MS, will no longer be a problem, still your assistance is needed. As an online writer, I believe that I can help by spreading awareness and if you are a writer, perhaps you too might learn more so you can help get the word out, so folks understand the serious nature of MS. If you will take a stand, write some articles, talk to friends or help to raise money, maybe MS can be stopped for good.

The National Multiple Sclerosis society for instance advocates scientific research and helps with funding, while simultaneous, educating those with MS and the public. They urge citizens to take charge and create activism in communities and cities. Without such support, the much needed funding will fall short of its goals. March is National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, so now would be a good time to do a lot of good for those afflicted with MS, so they can lead normal and healthy lives in the future. Please do your part.

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Live a financial healthy life with Multiple Scherosis (MS). Here are some healthcare cost saving tips:

1. Shop around for your health insurance: One of the key factors to saving money when you have MS, as well as many other diseases, is being sure you have the best insurance for yourself. Remember, what might be the best insurance for you, may not be the best insurance for someone else. Know what you want out of your health insurance and don’t let anyone else, especially the health insurance company tell you what they think you need. This is not an overnight process, and it might take a few weeks to do a thorough job. Be patient, and treat it like you are looking for that perfect outfit for the perfect day or even a house. Keep in mind that every year you want to review your policy because your needs may change as well as what your policy offers. So do not put it off until the open enrollment season, or the day before you next doctor’s appointment. Be sure the health insurance policies you are considering have integrity by checking with your state insurance commissioner or other people that may have the policy in your state with MS. In addition, pay close attention to things that will have a severe impact on your treatment such as your neurologist, lab work, potential hospital charges and pharmaceuticals you may be taking later in the year. For example, when you have MS, it is extremely important to know that your neurologist is accepting your insurance and will be accepting your insurance for at least the next year until your policy expires and you can choose a new policy. Double check to be sure you can continue your treatments with the policy, and if there is a change in your treatment, the insurance plan has a “hassle free process.”

2 .Look for free healthcare: Believe it or not, it is out there! Be sure to check with your State Department of Health or even Social Services of your state to see if you qualify for any new programs that your state has been granted money for. It may even be less expensive than using your health insurance in some cases. Don’t forget about federal programs like Medicare, local clinics, etc. Check back every few months. You would be surprised what Congress passes overnight and when it goes into effect and how it can effect you and your healthcare.

1. Get to know your neurologist: He or she can become your biggest aly when dealing with your insurance company if problems occur. Remember, your physician has bills to pay too, so it is in their best interest to help you get coverage. A good relationship can come in handy if you insurance suddenly does not cover a certain treatment. Ask for a discount or even samples of medication until you can get your finances together. Be sure to communicate with your physician and his/her staff about your situation. Help your physician help you! You never know what resources you physician or his/her staff may have access to.
2. Get free or low cost pharmaceuticals. Contact the manufacturer of your pharmaceuticals to see what programs you might qualify for such as Patient Assistance Programs. Some patient assistance programs include the following:

- MS Active Source for Avonex

- MS Pathways for Betaseron

- MS Lifelines for Rebif

- Shared Solutions for Copaxone

- The Access Program for Tysabri

- MS Lifelines Patient Assistance Program for Novantrone

5. Never go without healthcare coverage: Between programs like COBRA which offer temporary coverage for people in between jobs, State Assistance Programs, and companies that offer healthcare benefits to their employees, there is not excuse why someone with MS should go without healthcare coverage. Remember it takes time to apply to some of these programs, so do not wait until last minute to start inquiring because if there is a lapse in coverage, you may run the risk of paying higher premiums for health insurance in the future.

6. Look for those tax deductions: Some of these include medical insurance premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses and co-pays, transportation to and from the doctor, some nontraditional forms of medicine such as chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage therapy, an ambulance for hire, an autoette or wheelchair, Capital Expenditures such as home modifications for the handicapped, Car Equipment (to accommodate wheelchair and/or handicapped controls), lodging(treatment related, and with restrictions, up to $50 per person), medical conference fees(relating to chronic illness; no lodging or meals), etc.

7. Take advantage of organizations such as the National MS Society: These organizations have many resources readily available and membership is generally free.Some organizations even offer grants for devices such as wheelchairs and emergency assistance.

These are just a few tips that I discuss in my lectures. Some more tips can be found in Healthcare for Less and 101 Health Insurance Tips, which can be found on

http://www.healthcareforless.us or at major book stores across the United States. It takes time, persistence and a little bit of detective work to uncover some of the best bargains! Take it from someone that

http://www.healthcareforless.us

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