Abstract - Long-Term Therapy Issues for MS Nurses

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease whose natural history is one of progression. The current therapeutic interventions can slow the progression and minimize relapses. Nurses on the front-line of MS patient care are called on to help patients stay on their medications in order to assure maximum function with minimal disability.

In this MS conversation three MS Nurse Experts will share their techniques for addressing issues involved in promoting adherence to treatment regimens. Approaches to addressing challenging patient questions will be demonstrated. Topics to be discussed include the following:

Natural history of MS
Reasonable expectations
Side-effect management
Symptom management
Relapses/progression

Patient questions to be addressed include:

Why should I stay on this medication if it costs so much and doesn't make me feel any better?
Why should I stay on this medication when the side-effects make me feel worse?
Why am I still getting relapses?
Why am I getting worse?