RealTalk MS Jon Strum

It's not unusual to see sex and intimacy become unintended and unnecessary collateral damage in the day-to-day-challenges of living with MS. But it doesn't have to be that way.
Madelyn Esposito, LPC, NCC, CST, joins me to discuss some of the common sexual problems faced by people living with MS, ways to maintain intimacy in your relationships, and tips for maintaining a healthy sex life.

Kristine Werner-Ozug and Cheryl Weeks-Frey take you inside the workings of the MS Society's Community Review of MS Research Committee.
We're also sharing important survey results that support updating the way that we describe MS, research MS, and treat MS.
We'll give you the details of a novel inverse vaccine that's been shown to stop the autoimmune response associated with MS.
And we're congratulating Dr Rhonda Voskuhl for being named the first recipient of the Rachel Horne Prize for Women's Research in MS.
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Let's talk about sex and MS   :22
Next Week: It's our 6th anniversary!  1:38
Kristine Werner-Ozug and Cheryl Weeks-Frey share their experiences as members of the National MS Society's Community Review of MS Research Committee   2:22
Survey results support updating the MS clinical course descriptors  9:43
An inverse vaccine stops the animal model of MS   13:43
Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl is the first winner of the Rachel Horne Prize for Women's Research in MS  16:40
Sex therapist Madelyn Esposito shares tips for maintaining intimacy and enjoying a healthy sex life when you're living with MS   18:31
Share this episode  29:28
Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  29:48

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/316
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com
RealTalk MS Episode 280: How the Proposed Framework for Diagnosing and Treating MS Will Affect You with Dr. Tim Coetzee
https://realtalkms.com/280

Do the Current MS Clinical Course Descriptors Need to Change and If So, How? A Survey of the MS Community
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13524585231196786

STUDY: Synthetically Glycosolated Antigens for the Antigen-Specific Suppression of Established Immune Responses
https://nature.com/articles/s41551-023-01086-2
Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200
Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk
Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 316
Guests: Kristine Werner-Ozug, Cheryl Weeks-Frey, and Madelyn Esposito
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Just a couple of weeks ago, the FDA approved the first biosimilar medication for treating MS. As generics and now, biosimilars, become more available, it seems like the right time for us to get clear on the similarities and differences between generics, biosimilars, and the name-brand drugs that they mimic. 
Dr. Jiwon Oh joins me to explain everything you need to know to be an informed medical consumer when it comes to generic and biosimilar disease-modifying therapies. Dr. Oh is a neurologist, scientist, and the Medical Director of the Barlo Multiple Sclerosis Program at St. Michael's Hospital in Ontario.

We'll also tell you about a simple blood test that can measure MS disease activity. 
Izzy Abbas, the Co-Chairperson of the Paralyzed Veterans of America MS Committee will explain how the PVA supports veterans who are living with MS.
We're sharing the details of a large study that determined routine vaccinations don't cause MS relapses.
And if you're in New York and you're ready to laugh for a good cause, we have the details about the StandUp2MS comedy club benefit at Gotham Comedy Club. It's less than a week away!
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Generic and biosimilar drugs for MS   :22
A simple blood test that can assess MS disease activity 1:51
Izzy Abbas explains how the Paralyzed Veterans of America supports veterans living with MS   7:19
The StandUp2MS comedy club benefit is less than a week away!  17:28
Study results show that routine vaccinations don't cause MS relapses   18:37
Dr. Jiwon Oh explains the differences and similarities between generics, biosimilars, and the name-brand drugs that they mimic   21:19
Share this episode  37:40
Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  38:00

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/315
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com
STUDY: Clinical Validation of a Multi-Protein, Serum-Based Assay for Disease Activity Assessments in Multiple Sclerosis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1521661623004515

Paralyzed Veterans of America
https://pva.org

Standup2MS Comedy Club Benefit
https://standup2ms.org/comedy-club-benefit
STUDY: Vaccines and the Risk of Hospitalization for Multiple Sclerosis Flare-Ups
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2809144
National MS Society: Detailed information on vaccinations for people living with MS
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Living-Well-With-MS/Diet-Exercise-Healthy-Behaviors/Vaccinations#section-1
Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200
Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk
Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 315
Guest: Izzy Abbas, Dr. Jiwon Oh
Privacy Policy

When you're living with MS, managing your pelvic floor health may not be among the first things you think about. But pelvic floor dysfunction, and the problems that arise from it, like bladder and bowel issues, can seriously impact your health, well-being, and quality of life. 
Jill Ehrmantraut, a physical therapist and women's health clinical specialist with advanced training in pelvic rehabilitation, joins me to explain what pelvic floor rehab is all about, why it's important, and how you can get started on the path to improving your pelvic floor health.

We'll also tell you about the first 10 drugs that will be subject to price negotiations between Medicare and the companies that manufacture these drugs. (And we'll tell you how that's going to benefit tens of thousands of people living with MS)
We'll share the details of how you can weigh in on setting future research priorities for studying women's health in MS. 
We'll let you know how you can participate in the Patient Community Day at ECTRIMS, the largest MS research conference in the world.
If you're in New York and you're ready to laugh for a good cause, we have the details about the upcoming StandUp2MS comedy club benefit at Gotham Comedy Club.
And we're sharing U.S. News & World Report's ranking of the best hospitals in the U.S. for neurology and neurosurgery.
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Pelvic floor rehab can be a difference-maker in living your best life with MS   :22
CMS announces the first 10 prescription drugs for which Medicare will negotiate prices  1:19
You can help set future research priorities for studying women's health in MS   3:00
The largest MS research conference in the world is hosting a Patient Community Day   4:17
The StandUp2MS comedy club benefit is less than two weeks away!  5:45
U.S. News & World Report has issued its ranking of the top hospitals in the U.S. for neurology and neurosurgery   6:58
Jill Ehrmantraut explains what pelvic floor health and why it's especially important when you're living with MS   9:52
Share this episode  22:37
Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  22:57

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/314
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com
SURVEY: Research Priorities in Women's Health in Multiple Sclerosis
https://ais.swmed.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=8XJPD3PLCJ483KRL

MSMilan Patient Community Day Information and Registration
https://ectrims.edu/msmilan2023-msmilan-patient-community-day/

Standup2MS Comedy Club Benefit
https://standup2ms.org/comedy-club-benefit
Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200
Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk
Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 314
Guest: Jill Ehrmantraut
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Fire, flood, record-setting heat, tropical storm, earthquake -- we've seen it all in the past several weeks! Natural disasters can present a whole series of unique challenges for people affected by MS. 
Last year, I had an opportunity to talk about disaster preparedness for people affected by MS with Mary Casey-Lockyer, the Senior Medical Advisor to Disaster Operations at the American Red Cross. As extreme weather events become a more frequent and regular occurrence in our everyday weather patterns, I thought it made sense to revisit my conversation with Mary. Mary has just recently retired from her position at the Red Cross, but I think you'll find her tips and strategies as worthwhile and valuable today as they were a year ago.

We'll also tell you about Tyruko, the first biosimilar to receive FDA approval for treating MS (and we'll make sure you know exactly what biosimilars are and where they fit in the spectrum of pharmaceutical treatments).
We'll share the results of an important clinical trial that may cause experts to re-think when MS begins and when it should be treated.
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Revisiting disaster preparedness for people affected by MS  :22
The FDA has approved the first biosimilar for treating MS  1:38
Results from a clinical trial show that treating RIS with Aubagio significantly reduces the likelihood of developing MS  4:34
Mary Casey-Lockyer discusses how someone living with MS should prepare for a natural disaster   7:39
Share this episode  28:13
Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  28:33

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/313
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com
STUDY: Teriflunomide and Time to Clinical Multiple Sclerosis in Patients with Radiologically Isolated Syndrome
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/articles-abstract/2808741
Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200
Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk
Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 313
Guest: Mary Casey-Lockyer
Privacy Policy

Contrary to what was once believed to be true, we now know that exercise and physical activity can deliver several important benefits for people living with MS, and actually improve your quality of life. Experts recommend exercise and physical activity for everyone living with MS, at every level of ability. 
Dr. Gretchen Hawley joins me this week to talk about what kinds of exercises you can and should be doing -- at your level of ability.

We'll also tell you about an experimental Epstein-Barr Virus vaccine that was shown to induce a durable immune response in mice. (And we'll remind you why experts believe that an EBV vaccine could eliminate most of the MS in the world!)
And we'll give you the details of the National MS Society's latest $19.4 million investment in research focused on stopping MS in its tracks, restoring lost function, and ending MS forever.
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Dr. Gretchen Hawley adapts MS-specific exercise for every level of ability  :22
An experimental EBV vaccine induces a durable immune response in mice  1:59
The National MS Society invests $19.4 million in research to drive Pathways to Cures  4:38
Dr. Gretchen Hawley discusses adapting MS-specific exercises for every level of ability   7:38
Share this episode  28:38
Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  28:59

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/312
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com
The MSing Link Online Wellness Program for Multiple Sclerosis
https://www.doctorgretchenhawley.com/TheMSingLink

The MSing Link: The Essential Guide to Improve Walking, Strength, & Balance for People with Multiple Sclerosis
https://www.amazon.com/Msing-Link-Essential-Strength-Sclerosis/dp/B0C9SQHJDM

STUDY: Lymph Node Targeted Multi-Epitope Subunit Vaccine Promotes Effective Immunity to EBV in HLA-Expressing Mice
https://nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39770-1
National MS Society Commits $19.4 Million for Research to Drive Pathways to Cures
https://nms2cdn.azureedge.net/cmssite/nationalmssociety/media/msnationalfiles/research/newresearchjune2023.pdf
Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200
Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk
Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 312
Guest: Dr. Gretchen Hawley
Privacy Policy

Rehabilitation can help people regain, keep, or improve the physical or cognitive abilities they need to successfully navigate their daily lives, which makes it an important aspect of managing MS.  In this episode of RealTalk MS, we're focusing on a concept that may not be as familiar to you -- prehabilitation, a proactive approach to maintaining your mobility and independence longer. 
Returning to RealTalk MS to discuss the value and benefits of prehabilitation is the National MS Society's Associate Vice-President for Research, Dr. Kathy Zackowski.

This week, you'll also meet Matt Knaggs. Matt was diagnosed with MS in 2020, and in a short amount of time, Matt has literally covered a lot of ground, including running a 12-hour ultra-marathon and launching a Facebook group with a unique perspective. 
And we'll remind you that this Thursday, August 17th, is Burgers to Beat MS day at A&W locations throughout Canada.
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Prehabilitation can make a difference in your future well-being  :22
This Thursday is Burgers to Beat MS day in Canada! 1:20
Matt Knaggs talks about running the distance because of MS  2:32
Dr. Kathy Zackowski explains how prehabilitation can be a difference-maker in your future well-being   19:36
Share this episode  38:54
Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  39:15

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/311
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com
Burgers to Beat MS
https://BurgersToBeatMS.ca

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200
Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk
Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 311
Guests: Matt Knaggs and Dr. Kathy Zackowski
Privacy Policy