When a doctor says the words, "it's multiple sclerosis", it changes your world forever. With the total care approach of Raleigh Neurology's MS Center, many of your fears may subside.

At Raleigh Neurology, the physicians and nurses strive to provide comprehensive neurological care that is tailored to you as an individual. Our board-certified neurologists are very experienced in not only the diagnostics, but also the therapeutics of MS. Over the last twenty years, several thousand MS patients have been evaluated and treated by the physicians and staff at Raleigh Neurology. Our nurses have worked closely with patients and their families as the newly diagnosed patients learn about, live with, and fight this disease. Patients who come to Raleigh Neurology will be working with neurologists who have had a broad and in-depth experience with MS. Several of the physicians in our group have followed individual patients with MS for ten to fifteen years giving the physicians a perspective on MS found in only centers dedicated to treating patients with MS.

Through Raleigh Neurology, many of our patients have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials involving some of the newest medications available. We were one of one hundred centers in the US, Canada, and Europe that participated in the study that has culminated in the approval of the latest treatment for MS, Tysabri®. We are participating in the largest study in the country for the treatment of primary progressive MS. Several other MS studies are on-going and several more will be offered shortly. At Raleigh Neurology, we work every day towards our mission to provide state of the art care for our MS patients.

You are not alone
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system in the broad family of auto-immune diseases. The inflammatory process leads to a breakdown of the protective covering of nerves, called myellin, and can cause a wide variety of physical symptoms that vary from patient to patient. MS is usually associated with physical symptoms that include weakness, numbness, and dizziness, but it can also have less obvious, though equally important effects on a person's mental or cognitive abilities, as well as severe symptoms like paralysis or loss of vision. From decreased concentration to memory problems, there are a variety of warning signs of multiple sclerosis that may indicate cognitive impairments.

The cause of MS is unknown. A complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors produces the disruption of normal immune function which focuses an attack on the central nervous system: the brain and the spinal cord. The treatment of MS involves managing the symptoms and modifying the abnormal immune response. Your physician will tailor a treatment for you and find the best medication to help with your symptoms and the most appropriate immunomodulatory medication to slow down the disease process itself. If you have been referred to our office for MS tests, please be assured that we will be sensitive to your needs and will handle your case and care with individual attention.

Over the last few years, several celebrities with MS have gone public to tell their stories in support of the patient community. Montel Williams and Terri Garr are but two of the stars who have recently revealed their medical histories. David Lander who played the character Squiggy on the TV show Laverne and Shirley, recently wrote a book about his own experiences titled, Fall Down Laughing. Dr. Mitchell Freedman, from Raleigh Neurology, wrote the forward to this book (www.penguinputnam.com).

David Lander's book is very inspirational and you might enjoy reading it to understand the journey that he's traveled.

"…whatever happens, MS can't take it all. I will always have my heart and soul, my wit and wisdom.Wherever the chips may fall, if I fall with them I will make it a point to do so gracefully—and laughing." – David Lander

Diagnosis
The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is made after your neurologist takes a detailed history and completes a neurological examination. These are supplemented with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans usually of the brain and the cervical spinal cord. Depending on the results of the MRI scans, a spinal tap may be required for an analysis of spinal fluid. Occasionally, neurodiagnostic studies called evoked potentials may be useful. If you have had CT scans or MRI scans from prior neurological evaluations, it would be helpful if you could bring those with you to RNA or at least get us the name of the facility where the procedures were handled so we can acquire them. The more information your neurologist has, the more accurate your diagnosis will be.

Treatment
Once a diagnosis has been made, your neurologist will review with you the various therapeutic options for immunomodulatory therapy including Avonex®, Betaseron®, Copaxone®, Rebif®, and now Tysabri®. Choosing the right therapy for you involves discussing with your neurologist the potential benefits a given medicine might have on relapse or attack rate, the progression of disability, the MRI scans, cognitive function, and brain atrophy. You will also need to discuss side effects and the various delivery systems available. 

Sometimes it may take more than one visit to absorb all of this information. All of us at Raleigh Neurology want to help you make the most informed decisions that suit your health care and personal needs. Stop and take a deep breath. We're here to help.