Resources MS Patients Can Trust During the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 26, 2020 No Comments
Category: Activism, MSTags: COVID-19, COVID19, Coronavirus, MS, multiple sclerosis, national MS society
I think we can all agree that there is a LOT of noise out there right now and it’s hard to know who to trust and listen to. As someone with a severe autoimmune disease, I’ve been trying to understand how COVID-19 could affect me and whether my disease-modifying treatment puts me at an increased risk.
I’ve consolidated a list of helpful resources below. Many of the questions I’ve had are answered within these trustworthy sources, so I hope they help you too.
National MS Society
“Ask an MS Expert” Webinar Series
Every week the National MS Society hosts a Q&A webinar with leading MS experts. Last week, the topic was about the Impact of COVID-19 on those Living with Multiple Sclerosis which addresses many of the questions we all have. Click below to watch the webinar.
MS-Navigator
If you have a specific question or concern, you can also reach out to a “MS Navigator” through the National MS Society’s website. MS Navigators can provide helpful information based on professional advice, published experience, and expert opinion. Click below to chat directly.
They also offer guidance for the use of disease modifying therapies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MS Experts
Reach out to your neurologist – I know this may seem obvious, but contacting your neurologist should be your first step. They will ultimately be the person who determines your individual risks and protocol moving forward. My recommendation would be to educate yourself with the resources within this post, and write down a list of questions to bring to your neurologist so you’re prepared, confident and knowledgeable going into that discussion.
Prof. Gavin Giovannoni, An Academic Neurologist
The informative chart below by Prof. Gavin Giovannoni, an academic neurologist based at Barts and The London School of Medicine in London, clearly articulates the risks of Disease-Modifying Therapies in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Is your medication safe? See below to find out or click here to download the chart.
Stay Connected via Social Media
Follow the hashtag #MSCOVID19
On Instagram you can now follow hashtags and #MSCOVID19 is worth following to see the latest posts across the world. Organizations, doctors, and those with multiple sclerosis are all weighing in so you’ll a range of content that relates to COVID-19 and MS.
Follow @TheSparkledLife
Eliz Martin is a fellow MSer and blogger who shares her experiences and promotes authentic conversation around tough topics, including COVID-19. Check out her Instagram where she discusses how MS affects Coronavirus and asks her followers about their concerns.
