MS-Selfie
The objective of this microsite is to help MSers (people with multiple sclerosis) understand the issues that need to be considered when managing multiple sclerosis, for example when starting, or switching between, disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The site is simply the opinion of Professor Giovannoni, an experienced neurologist who specialises in multiple sclerosis (MSologist), who currently works in the National Health Service (NHS) in England. We hope after exploring this site you will have a better understanding of what is required to take control of some of the decision making around your management. Ideally, we would like to empower you to self-manage your MS, hence MS-Selfie.
Questions
Before making a decision about DMTs you need to understand MS and the principles underpinning the decision-making processes. i.e. you need to know the answers to the following questions:
- What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?
- Am I sure that I have MS?
- What type of MS do I have?
- What prognostic group do I fall into?
- What is the risk of not being treated with a disease-modifying therapy (DMT)?
- Do I have active MS?
- Am I eligible for treatment with a DMT?
- What is the difference between maintenance-and-escalation DMTs and an IRTs (immune reconstitution therapies)?
- Do I understand the difference between short-term intermittent and long-term continuous immunosuppression?
- Do I understand the concept of treat-2-target?
- What are the attributes of the specific DMTs?