Conversations on MS: Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to a very special edition of Conversations on MS!

This session features three MS-specialist neurologists answering frequently asked questions.

Dr. John Corboy moderates the event. Corboy is the Medical Director of the Rocky Mountain MS Center and Director of the RMMSC at University of Colorado. In 1997, he founded the University of Colorado Multiple Sclerosis Center, now transformed into the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center at University of Colorado, a multidisciplinary group offering state-of-the-art care and research to multiple sclerosis patients.

Dr. Corboy is joined by Dr. Enrique Alvarez, Vice Chair of Clinical Research in the CU Department of Neurology, and Dr. Teri Schreiner, Director of the Neuroimmunology Clinic for Children at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

QUESTIONS ADDRESSED IN THIS SESSION:

Click the timestamps below to be taken directly to the question (links open in a new YouTube window).

1. 2:04 Do inflammation levels and disability correlate and is neurofilament light an effective biomarker for seeing if someone has active MS?
2. 4:24 Is it important to reduce inflammation in the body and how do you do this?
3. 6:54 Is there ever a role for multiple immunomodulating agents to be used at that same time? For example, choosing two agents that attack the issue through different mechanisms.
4. 10:23 What about insomnia caused by MS?
5. 13:20 Heat sensitivity is related to Uhthoff’s Phenomenon. How is heat sensitivity related to lesions?
6. 16:25 Can you talk about the Tisch stem cell study?
7. 22:20 How do the anti-CD20 medications actually work? Can you address their risks?
8. 30:00 What makes your feet and hands tingle all the time?
9. 31:48 When flares occur and the body has a new side effect, is it that way forever?
10. 32:56 Can you please speak to late onset MS?
11. 36:37 How do I prevent brain aging and any proactive suggestions? How important is therapy, diet & exercise? Is there a specific type of exercise or diet I should be focused on?

LIGHTNING ROUND:

1. 40:00 What is the difference between a “mod” drug and a “mab” drug?
2. 40:50 I used to have MRIs with contrast. I am no longer receiving MRIs with contrast. Why is that?
3. 43:00 Bones often tend to ‘weaken’ with age. Does MS accelerate this?
4. 44:37 Is weight gain a side effect of Tysabri?
5. 45:50 How do you know if you have had the Epstein-Barr virus?
6. 46:55 Thoughts on recent addition by FDA of colitis as possible side effect of Ocrevus.
7. 48:38 How do I tell the difference between a UTI and an MS related symptom?
8. 51:43 What is the latest news on Alpha Lipoic Acid? What about Biotin?

About Conversations on MS

Conversations on MS is our touring and livestreaming workshop series led by one of the MS-specialty neurologists from the Rocky Mountain MS Center at University of Colorado. Our doctors travel the region on a regular basis to bring Conversations on MS to you, and provide livestreaming participation from online audience members via Zoom. 

To learn more, including an always-updating schedule of coming events, please visit our Conversations on MS page.

Conversations on MS is made possible in part by sponsorships and patient education grants from our supporters, including Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.