Secondary progressive MS

Over time, many people originally diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis will find that the pattern of their MS has changed and that they now have a type known as secondary progressive MS or SPMS.

This book is written as an introduction to secondary progressive MS – both for those living with the condition and for their family and friends.

It contains information on these key topics:

• What is secondary progressive MS?
• Diagnosing secondary progressive MS
  • Things that can make the change hard to spot
  • Sustained progression
  • How is secondary progressive MS diagnosed?
  • Managing the transition
• The transition to secondary progressive MS
  • The effect of words
  • What the future holds
  • Stopping disease modifying drugs
  • The role of the MS nurse
• Coming to terms with the transition to secondary progressive MS
  • Gaining psychological support
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
  • Positive thoughts on secondary progressive MS
• Managing secondary progressive MS
  • Drug treatment
  • Steroids and secondary progressive MS
  • Self-management
  • MS nurses
  • Support from specialist health services
  • Rehabilitation
  • Prevention of complications
• Research into secondary progressive MS
  • Collaboration in research
  • Future research priorities
  • Neuroprotection
  • Repairing and replacing myelin
  • Trials of disease modifying drugs
• Tips for coping with secondary progressive MS
• Living with secondary progressive MS
  • Living well – health awareness, activity, diet
  • Work
  • Welfare benefits
  • Maintaining social relationships
  • Reflections on living with secondary progressive MS
• More information
  • Online support groups
  • Benefits and legal advice
  • Getting around
  • Equipment and adaptations
  • Relationship support
  • Health and social care information and carer support
  • Holidays