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Primary progressive MS exposed

Published January 2011

This publication will be reviewed in three years.


Contents

Primary progressive MS exposed cover
Key information at a glance

What is primary progressive MS?

How primary progressive MS differs from the other forms of MS
Clinical features
Pathological features

Diagnosing primary progressive MS
Diagnostic criteria
Tests that may be carried out to diagnose primary progressive MS

Symptoms of primary progressive MS
Symptoms commonly seen in primary progressive MS
Other symptoms that may be experienced
Complications and other concerns

Progression
Predicting how primary progressive MS might progress

Management of primary progressive MS
Drug treatment
Rehabilitation medicine
Prevention of complications
General health and wellbeing
Complementary and alternative therapies

Trials in primary progressive MS
Challenges to trials
Past and current trials
Questions still to be answered
Future research priorities

Living with primary progressive MS
The MS journey
Impact of diagnosis
Coping with increasing disability and maintaining independence
Working with primary progressive MS
Maintaining social relationships
Final thoughts

Sources of support

Author

Alison Whittam
Information Officer, MS Trust

Thank you

The MS Trust would like to thank the following health professionals for their expert advice during the development of this book:

  • Professor Alan Thompson, Consultant Neurologist, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London
  • Professor Chris Ward, Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine, Derby Hospitals NHS Trust, Derby
  • Dr Belinda Weller, Consultant Neurologist, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
  • Mary Fraser, MS Specialist Nurse, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge
  • Alison Smith, Rehabilitation Specialist Nurse MS, Derby Hospitals NHS Trust, Derby

We would also like to thank everybody with primary progressive MS who completed our questionnaire. Particular thanks go to Alan, Edith, Linda and Tony for reviewing the book and providing invaluable comments. Without your help this book would not have been possible.