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Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

Our Mission

The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) provides a comprehensive approach to helping people with MS. We strive to motivate, educate, and empower people with MS to maintain their health and well-being.

The MSF offers a wide array of free services including national toll-free support, educational programs, homecare, support groups, assistive technology, publications, a comprehensive website, and more to improve the quality of life for those affected by MS.

Our resources assist people who have MS, their families and caregivers, regional support groups, and healthcare professionals. Access to our programs and services is available through our interactive web site or our national, toll-free helpline staffed by caring caseworkers and peer counselors. Our priority is to serve with empathy, resourcefulness and responsibility.

All MSF services, as well as information, literature and subscriptions to our publications are provided free of charge.



Activity

  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    Can multiple sclerosis (MS) cause brain fog?
    The term "brain fog" can be used to describe a number of cognitive problems. Most commonly, what people are experiencing is slowed thinking, or a change in the brain's capacity to efficiently move information and store it for later use. That function is critical for memory. The faster we...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    What are self-management skills for dealing with multiple sclerosis (MS)?
    If you have multiple sclerosis, it's easy to see how a vicious cycle of unhelpful thoughts, actions, and emotions can flare up in the face of physical distress. Self-management skills offer a variety of tools with which to address the problem including: self-monitoring, goal setting, problem...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    What do multiple sclerosis (MS) self-management programs teach?
    Self-management programs may differ somewhat in the specific skills taught, depending on the disease and symptoms needing to be managed. Yet all of the programs are about being an informed healthcare consumer who knows about your own condition and treatment options. In addition to the skills...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    What are the benefits of self-management for multiple sclerosis (MS)?
    Self-management encourages you to look at your well-being with a holistic, proactive approach. As an effective self-manager, you learn to go beyond a putting-out-the-fire approach of treating multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms and their effects after they cause distress. With skills and practice,...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    What are my rights as a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS)?

    Doctors are expected to see too many patients in too little time. Appointments are often as short as fifteen minutes. Developing quality relationships and ensuring quality care within these constraints can be difficult. While it is our right as patients to expect certain things of our doctors,

    ...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    Can I take antioxidants if I have multiple sclerosis (MS)?
    Many supplements like vitamins E and C act as antioxidants, which among other important functions, boost the immune system. Antioxidants can be favorable for some people; however, multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be a disease of an over-active immune system. Consuming high doses of su...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    How can I have a good relationship with my doctor if I have MS?
    Doctors are expected to see too many patients in too little time. Appointments are often as short as fifteen minutes. Developing quality relationships and ensuring quality care within these constraints can be difficult. While it is our right as patients to expect certain things of our doctors,...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    Should I take vitamin E if I have multiple sclerosis (MS)?
    If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), consuming 30-40 IU of synthetic vitamin E daily is a good idea if you are taking fish oil supplements. You can get this amount daily in a generic complete multivitamin. Many single-dose supplements greatly exceed this amount (800 to 1000 IU per dose) so...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    Can I take herbal supplements if I have multiple sclerosis (MS)?
    Herbal supplements may stimulate the immune system; not a good idea with multiple sclerosis (MS). Echinacea, ginseng, CoQ10, Gingko biloba, DHEA, and garlic may decrease the effectiveness of your primary medication used to manage MS. Keep in mind there are no peer-reviewed clinical studies...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    What vitamin supplements should I avoid if I have multiple sclerosis (MS)?
    High doses of some vitamins can antagonize your immune-modulating, immunosuppressive therapies used to manage multiple sclerosis (MS). Supplements that stimulate the immune system should be avoided in high doses. Those include selenium, zinc, B1, B2, folic acid, B6, vitamin A, biotin, m...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    How should I take nutritional supplements if I have multiple sclerosis?
    Here are some tips on taking nutritional supplements if you have multiple sclerosis (MS):

    1. Start with a complete multivitamin each day. Don't get fancy or spend a lot of money! A generic complete multivitamin from a large-scale manufacturer is all you need. Beware of fillers. Read labels...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    Can an eye test help diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS)?
    A simple eye test may one day help diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS) in its earliest stages and enable researchers to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, according to a study by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. The test, optical coherence tomography (OCT), measures...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    How can cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis (MS) be prevented?
    Cognitive decline is a frustrating symptom for some people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and one they often feel helpless to control. But one study indicates that the key to prevention might be in keeping your brain busy. Researchers at the Kessler Foundation Research Center in West Orange,...  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    What is myokymia in people with multiple sclerosis (MS)?
    Myokymia is an annoying twitching or fluttering of the eyelid muscles. It may come and go in many people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Vision itself is not actually affected. Myokymia can be seen in some people without MS as well. Stress, sleep deprivation, and caffeine may make it act up in some.  Full Post
  • Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
    Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:
    What is L'hermitte's sign in multiple sclerosis (MS)?
    L'hermitte's sign is a pain problem sometimes found in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). L'hermitte's sign is a sudden "electric" sensation that shoots down the spine and legs when the neck is flexed (bent forward, as in looking down). L'hermitte's pain confirms that there is demyelination...  Full Post