Multiple Sclerosis Information (MSi)

Welcome to MSAA's new program initiative, Multiple Sclerosis Information (MSi). Through the MSi initiative, MSAA will offer an extensive library of on-demand video programming, web casts, professionally monitored chat rooms and additional interactive communication features that bring knowledge and empowerment right into the privacy and comfort of a person's home.

MSi On-Demand Videos — A Closer Look

MSAA's on-demand video series is titled, "A Closer Look". The first web videos released in this series are:
A Closer Look at the Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms — Part 1.

A Closer Look at the Importance of MS Treatment Adherence

A Closer Look at the Future of MS Research

A Closer Look at Intimacy and Multiple Sclerosis

A Closer Look at MS and Complementary and Alternative Medicine

A Closer Look at The Value of MRIs

A Closer Look at Clinically Isolated Syndrome and MS

A Closer Look at the Emotional Impact of MS

A Closer Look at Managing Stress and MS

A Closer Look at the Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms — Part 1 contains four segments:

Effective MS Symptom Management — interview with Jack Burks, MD
Understanding Depression and MS — interview with Allison Shadday, LCSW
Learning about Involuntary Emotional Expression Disorder — interview with Daniel Wynn, MD
Managing Spasticity — interview with Donald Barone, DO

Viewers can watch the video in it's entirety or select the section(s) of interest to them. Please click A Closer Look at Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms — Part 1 to begin the program.

A Closer Look at the Importance of MS Treatment Adherence, featuring Dr. Jack Burks, contains four segments:

The Role of the MRI
Approaches to Treat MS
Medications & Side Effects
Benefits of MS Therapies
Managing a Medication Routine
Promising New Treatments on the Horizon

Viewers can watch the video in it's entirety or select the section(s) of interest to them. Please click A Closer Look at the Importance of MS Treatment Adherence to begin the program.

A Closer Look at the Future of MS Research, featuring Dr. Stephen Newman discusses:

Current FDA-approved therapies
New research with current treatments
Oral medications and other new therapies
The importance of clinical trials
Helpful advice to manage MS

Viewers can watch the video in its entirety or select the section(s) of interest to them. Please click A Closer Look at the Future of MS Research to begin the program.

A Closer Look at Intimacy and Multiple Sclerosis, featuring Dr. Maria Chiara Carta discusses:

Ways to achieve and maintain intimacy
MS intimacy challenges
Overcoming emotional challenges
Strategies to manage physical challenges
Helpful advice for patients

Viewers can watch the video in its entirety or select the section(s) of interest to them. Please click A Closer Look at Intimacy and Multiple Sclerosis to begin the program.

A Closer Look at MS and Complementary and Alternative Medicine, is a two-part video featuring Dr. Allen Bowling and Dr. Jingduan Yang.

Highlights of Segment 1, featuring Dr. Bowling, include:

Defining Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM);
What to consider before using CAM;
Popular CAM therapies among those with MS.

Highlights of Segment 2, featuring Dr. Jingdaun Yang, include:

Defining Classic Chinese Medicine;
Acupuncture (showing treatment);
Herbal medicine;
Massage therapy (showing treatment).

Viewers can watch the video in its entirety or select the section(s) of interest to them. Please click A Closer Look at MS and Complementary and Alternative Medicine to begin the program.

A Closer Look at The Value of MRIs, is a three-part video featuring:

An MS patient providing a first-hand account of her experiences getting MRIs for diagnosis and follow-up exams;
A noted neurologist, Dr. Diego Cadavid, explaining the science behind MRIs and the benefits of follow-up exams to track disease progression (showing video of the MRI machine and images of the brain);
MSAA representative Mr. Bob Rapp detailing the financial assistance programs offered by the organization for those seeking diagnostic or follow-up MRI exams.

Viewers can watch the video in its entirety or select the section(s) of interest to them. Please click A Closer Look at The Value of MRIs to begin the program.

A Closer Look at Clinically Isolated Syndrome and MS, featuring Dr. Jack Burks, explores the changing way neurologists now:

View the initial onset of multiple sclerosis
Begin treating CIS with relapsing-remitting medications
Track the benefits of early treatment through MRIs and other studies

Viewers can watch the video in its entirety or select the sections of interest to them. Please click A Closer Look at Clinically Isolated Syndrome and MS to begin the program.

A Closer Look at the Emotional Impact of MS, featuring Allison Shadday, LCSW; offers insights and effective problem solving strategies to help clients better understand and manage feelings of anxiety, fear, loss, depression, and other aspects associated with challenges of living with multiple sclerosis. Ms. Shadday adds a unique perspective to this topic as she is not only a professional clinical social worker but also a person living with MS since her diagnosis in 1995. Program highlights include:

The three levels of healing
Strategies to control fear/8-step technique
Ways to manage depression
Questions to ask a therapist
Solutions to combat loneliness and isolation
Identifying your bliss

Viewers can watch the video in its entirety or select the sections of interest to them. Please click A Closer Look at the Emotional Impact of MS to begin the program

A Closer Look at Managing Stress and MS, featuring Allison Shadday, LCSW; discusses general daily stress as well as specific stress triggers surrounding the challenges of life with multiple sclerosis. Ms. Shadday explains the importance of responding to stress rather than reacting to stress, and offers several effective stress management techniques. Ms. Shadday is professional clinical social worker and a person living with MS since her diagnosis in 1995. Program highlights include:

Making the Connection Between Daily Stress and MS
Strategies to Manage Stress
Ways to Reduce External and Internal Stress
How to Evaluate Your Stress Management Techniques

Viewers can watch the video in its entirety or select the sections of interest to them. Please click A Closer Look at Managing Stress and MS to begin the program

The development and implementation of MSi is made possible through the funding support of Serono Inc. and Pfizer Inc., Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Avanir Pharmaceuticals, the Medtronic Foundation, and the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. As the MSi program expands throughout the year, MSAA will produce and release a host of informative half-hour to one-hour web videos covering such topics as the value of MRI's, the need for early treatment, stress management, and many other real-life issues important to you and your family. We welcome and encourage you to visit the MSAA web site and access these informational videos as they go online throughout 2007.