ebook img

Managing Your Multiple Sclerosis PDF

259 Pages·2004·4.321 MB·English
Save to my drive
Quick download
Download
Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.

Preview Managing Your Multiple Sclerosis

MMaannaaggiinngg yyoouurr MMuullttiippllee SScclleerroossiiss Practical advice to help you manage your multiple sclerosis ‘This book is well written, clear and accurate – it will be a good reference book for people with MS’ Dr Alexander Burnfield, Trustee, MS Trust Prof Ian Robinson and Dr Frank Clifford Rose Managing your Multiple Sclerosis Comments on Managing your Multiple Sclerosis ‘The book is well written, clear and accurate – it will be a good reference book for people with MS.’ DR SANDY BURNFIELD, Stockbridge Managing your Multiple Sclerosis Practical advice to help you manage your multiple sclerosis Ian Robinson MA Director of the Brunel MS Research Unit, Department of Human Sciences, Brunel University, West London and Dr F Clifford Rose FRCP Director of the London Neurological Centre CLASS PUBLISHING • LONDON Text © Ian Robinson and FClifford Rose 2004 © Class Publishing (London) Ltd 2004 All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by and means (elec- tronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the above publisher of this book. The authors assert their right as set out in Sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the authors of this work wherever it is published commercially and whenever any adaptation of this work is published or produced, including any sound recordings or films made or based upon this work. Printing history First published 2004 Reprinted 2004 The authors and publishers welcome feedback from the users of this book. Please contact the publishers. Class Publishing, Barb House, Barb Mews, London, W6 7PA, UK Telephone: 020 7371 2119 [International +4420] Fax: 020 7371 2878 Email: [email protected] Visit our website – www.class.co.uk The information presented in this book is accurate and current to the best of the authors’ knowledge. The authors and publisher, however, make no guarantee as to, and assume no responsibility for, the correctness, sufficiency or completeness of such information or recommendation. The reader is advised to consult a doctor regarding all aspects of individual health care. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 1 85959 071 3 Edited by Michèle Clarke Designed and typeset by Martin Bristow Illustrations by David Woodroffe Indexed by Val Elliston Printed and bound in Finland by WS Bookwell, Juva Contents Note to reader ix 1 Multiple sclerosis explained 1 What is MS? 1 Types of MS 3 Symptoms of MS 4 The causes of MS 8 Diagnosing MS 11 2 Medical management of MS 12 Treatment rather than cure 12 Approaches to treatment 13 The beta-interferons and the managment of MS 14 Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) and the management of MS 19 The future of DMTs (disease-modifying therapies) in MS 20 Steroids 21 Getting more information on drug therapy 23 Team approach to management 24 Visiting your GP/neurologist/MS Specialist Nurse 26 Other support 28 vi MANAGING YOUR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS 3 Complementary therapies and MS 31 Assessing the value of complementary therapies 31 Safety of complementary therapies 33 Finding a practitioner 34 Costs involved 34 Some types of CAM therapy 35 4 Problems with urination and bowels 44 Bladder control 44 Bowel function 55 5 Sexual relationships 59 Problems for women 59 Difficulties with erections 61 Psychological problems and ‘libido’ 64 Problems during intercourse 65 6 Sensations and pain 68 Sensations 68 Balance 71 Pain 72 7 Fatigue,cognitive problems and depression 78 Fatigue 78 Cognitive problems 80 Depression 87 Mood swings and euphoria 89 8 Mobility and managing everyday life 92 Professional help 92 Exercises 93 Aids and equipment 105 Driving 120 CONTENTS vii 9 Speech difficulties 125 Voice production 125 Dysarthria 126 Helping yourself 127 Further help 127 10 Eating and swallowing difficulties;diet and nutrition 129 Eating and swallowing difficulties 129 Diet and nutrition 132 11 Eyesight and hearing problems 141 Eyesight 141 Hearing problems 144 12 Employment 145 Telling your employer 145 Promotion 146 Telling your colleagues 146 The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and employment 147 13 Finances 150 Benefits 150 Insurance 156 Healthcare finance 158 Managing finances 159 14 Housing and home adaptations 161 Getting help for housing adaptations 161 Getting help for housing repairs 163 Re-housing 164 Sheltered housing 166 viii MANAGING YOUR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS 15 Care 167 Care in the community 167 Respite and residential care 172 16 Leisure,sport and holidays 174 General information on leisure activities and hobbies 174 Day trips out 177 Holidays 179 17 Pregnancy,childbirth and the menopause 182 Pregnancy 182 Childbirth 183 Other women’s issues and the menopause 185 18 Research 187 Types of research 187 New lines of research 198 Finding out more 200 Glossary 202 Appendix 1:Useful addresses and websites 210 Appendix 2:Useful publications 230 Index 234 Note to reader Managing Your Multiple Sclerosisis not a book about what MS is, its causes and diagnosis. It is a practical guide to its management and there is more information to be found in Multiple Sclerosis – the ‘at your fingertips’ guide, which can be found in your local bookshop, library or possibly your nearest health clinic; also the MS Society (details in Appendix 1) can provide you with many information sheets on this subject. This new book was written by popular demand from readers of the first book who wanted to know more about practical steps that they could take in their day-to-day living with MS. There is a glossary at the end of this book to help you with any words that may be unfamiliar to you. If you are looking for particular topics, you can use either the detailed list of Contents on pp. v–viii or the Index, which starts on p. 234. ix

See more

The list of books you might like

Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.