Episode 196: Diagnosing and Misdiagnosing MS with Dr. Andrew Solomon

The challenge of living with MS often begins with the challenge of getting a timely and accurate diagnosis. There are no symptoms, physical findings, or laboratory tests that can, by themselves, determine if someone has MS, and the most common symptoms of MS can often resemble symptoms of other conditions. All of these variables can sometimes lead to patients getting the wrong diagnosis. Dr. Andrew Solomon, Associate Professor of Neurological Sciences and Division Chief of Multiple Sclerosis at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, is joining me to discuss diagnosing and misdiagnosing MS. We'll also fill you in on the details of the upcoming European MS Platform Annual Conference (it's free to register!). We'll tell you about a cannabis-based treatment that's been shown to improve spasticity without causing weakness in people with MS. We'll share the results of a study that looked at how a COVID-19 infection affects MS. You'll hear about newly published research that may have isolated the gene that causes male immune cells to drive more severe MS. And we'll give you the rundown of this month's Can Do MS programs. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! European MS Platform Annual Conference  1:38 Cannabis extract improves spasticity without causing weakness  2:44 How COVID-19 may affect MS  4:43 A word about our show notes  6:49 Study shows male immune cells drive more severe MS  8:18 This month's Can Do MS programs  11:38 Dr. Andrew Solomon discusses diagnosing MS and misdiagnosing MS  13:13 Share this episode  25:54 Have a minute? Leave a rating & review for the podcast  26:14 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/196 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: [email protected]: (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 National MS Society COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for People Living with MS European MS Platform Annual Conference STUDY: COVID-19 is Associated with New Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis That are Prevented by Disease-Modifying Therapies STUDY: Male Sex Chromosomal Complement Exacerbates the Pathogenicity of Th17 Cells in a Chronic Model of Central Nervous System Autoimmunity Can Do MS Program Information and Registration Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 196 Guests: Dr. Andrew Solomon Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy