Episode 350: Choosing Your MS Disease-Modifying Therapy with Dr. Barbara Giesser

There are more than 20 disease-modifying therapies available to treat MS today. Some are considered high-efficacy, some are considered moderately effective, and each has its own risk profile and side effects to consider. So, how do you choose? How much homework should someone living with MS do? Where should you look for reliable information? And what if you and your neurologist don't necessarily agree? Joining me to talk about your role when it comes to choosing the right DMT through shared decision-making with your neurologist is Dr. Barbara Giesser. Dr. Giesser is an internationally recognized clinician and award-winning educator who has specialized in the care of people with multiple sclerosis since 1982, a full decade before there was even a single disease-modifying therapy available to treat MS. Dunk MS takes place This Saturday, May 18th on the UCLA campus, at iconic Pauley Pavilion. And if you're in or around Southern California, you won't want to miss this unique event. We're sharing all the details, so don't miss my conversation with Dunk MS founder, Blake Arnet. Since we're talking about shared decision-making this week, we're sharing details of a study that asked the question, "How much do people living with MS know about MS?" And if you've found yourself worried about smoldering MS, you'll be pleased to learn that a recent study showed that sophisticated PET imaging is able to identify this hidden, persistent inflammation in MS. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! 350 Episodes!  :22 This Week: Finding the right DMT through shared decision-making  1:04 Dunk MS is just days away!  My conversation with Blake Arnet  2:31 How much do people living with MS know about MS?  10:57 PET imaging reveals persistent hidden inflammation in MS  15:37 Dr. Barbara Giesser discusses choosing the right disease-modifying therapy through shared decision-making with your neurologist  20:04 Share this episode  33:13 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  33:33 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/350 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 Get Your Tickets for Dunk MS https://dunkms.com STUDY: A Systematic Review to Explore Patients' MS Knowledge and MS Risk Knowledge https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10072-024-07541-5 STUDY: Glial Activity Load on PET Reveals Persistent "Smoldering" Inflammation in MS Despite Disease-Modifying Treatment https://journals.lww.com/nuclearmed/fulltext/2024/06000/glial_activity_load_on_pet_reveals_persistent.1.aspx 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 Deviceshttps://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 350 Guests: Blake Arnet and Dr. Barbara Giesser Privacy Policy