Cover Page -- Multiple Sclerosis: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Foreword by Rosalind Kalb -- Chapter 1: The History of MS -- Before MS Had a Name -- Early Cases of Multiple Sclerosis -- The Description by Charcot -- Early Therapies of Neurological Diseases -- Advances in the 20th Century -- The Modern Era -- The Era of Clinical Trials -- The Modern Era of Therapy -- Changing Ideas -- The Future -- Chapter 2: What Is Multiple Sclerosis and How Is It Diagnosed? -- What Happens in Attacks of MS? -- The Course of Multiple Sclerosis -- The Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis -- Clinical Examination -- History -- Examination -- Tests -- Watchful Waiting -- The Outcome -- Chapter 3: What Is the Cause of Multiple Sclerosis? -- Theories About the Cause of MS -- Tissue Abnormalities, Infections, and the Environment: Links to an MS Cause? -- The Underlying Immune System Problems in MS -- The Role of Genetics in MS -- What Sets Off the Disease? Possible Environmental Triggers -- Demyelination: The Cause of Symptoms -- So, What Is the Cause of MS? -- Chapter 4: What Treatment Is Available? -- Resources -- Types of Treatment -- Management of Acute Attacks -- Treatment of the Underlying Disease -- Beta Interferons -- Interferon Beta-1b -- Interferon Beta 1-a -- Glatiramer Acetate -- Experimental Drugs -- Vitamin D -- Other Disease-Modifying Agents -- Mitoxantrone -- Azathioprine -- Stem Cell Transplantation -- Biomarkers -- Management of Symptoms -- Weakness -- Spasticity -- Disturbances of Balance and Gait -- Sensory Symptoms -- Bladder and Bowel Symptoms -- Other Symptoms -- Summary -- Chapter 5: Unconventional Medicines and Multiple Sclerosis -- Definitions -- Evidence for the Safety and Effectiveness of Therapies -- Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine -- Unconventional Therapies Relevant to MS.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine -- Marijuana (Cannabis) -- Chiropractic Medicine -- Cooling Therapy -- Dental Amalgam Removal -- Dietary Supplements -- Antioxidants -- Cranberry and Other Supplements Used for Urinary Tract Infections -- Echinacea and Other "Immune-Stimulating" Supplements -- Ginkgo Biloba -- St. John's Wort -- Valerian -- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin, Cyanocobalamin) -- Vitamin D and Calcium -- Diets -- The Swank Diet -- Supplementation with omega-6 Fatty Acids -- Supplementation with omega-3 Fatty Acids -- Other Types of Therapy -- Feldenkrais -- Guided Imagery and Relaxation -- Hyperbaric Oxygen -- Magnetic Field Therapy (Electromagnetic Therapy) -- Massage -- Reflexology -- Tai Chi -- Yoga -- Angioplasty of Neck Veins -- Chapter 6: Practical Guidelines for Living with Multiple Sclerosis -- Should I Learn More About Multiple Sclerosis? -- What Should Others Know About Multiple Sclerosis? -- Who Can Answer My Questions? -- What Can I Learn from Other People Who Have MultipleSclerosis? -- When Is Information Not Helpful? -- What About My Activities? -- What About Exercise? -- Can I Overdo It? -- How Much Should I Rest? -- What About Stress? -- Can I Develop Better Coping Skills? -- How Can I Maintain a Positive Attitude? -- What About My Relationships? -- Should I Tell People I Have Multiple Sclerosis? -- What Happens When It Is Hot? -- Should I Change My Diet? -- Should I Sleep More? -- What If I Need Surgery? -- Is Pregnancy a Risk? -- Will Multiple Sclerosis Affect My Sex Life? -- What About Driving? -- Should I Move? -- Will I Be Different? -- What About Other Questions I May Have? -- Chapter 7: Coping with Multiple Sclerosis -- The Crisis of Diagnosis -- The Adjustment Process -- Coping Strategies -- Denial -- Intellectualization -- Educate Yourself About Multiple Sclerosis -- Choosing Your Health Care Providers.

Support Networks -- Disclosure -- Wellness Orientation -- Children with MS -- Cultural Sensitivity -- Parting Thoughts -- Chapter 8: Employment Issues and Multiple Sclerosis -- Myths About Multiple Sclerosis -- Disclosure -- Resources -- Chapter 9: Financial and Life Planning -- Getting Organized -- Professional Advisors -- Taking a Financial Inventory -- Using a Health-Expense Spreadsheet -- Reviewing Your Health Care Plan -- Health-Expense Spreadsheet -- Copayment -- Deductible -- Coinsurance -- Covered Expenses -- Preexisting Condition Exclusion Period -- Lifetime Maximums -- Prescription Drugs -- Family and Medical Leave Act -- Short-Term Disability Insurance -- Job Changes and Health Care -- Taking Control of Finances -- Developing a Spending Plan -- Looking at Investments -- Hiring a Financial Professional -- Setting Aside Money for Unexpected Expenses -- Chapter 10: Research in Multiple Sclerosis: The Search for Answers and the Link to Treatments -- Research in Immunology-Uncovering the Root of the Disease -- Animal Model of MS: Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis (EAE) -- Genetic Research-Links to Susceptibility, Course, and Causation -- Infectious Disease Research-Clues to Triggers, Causes, and Possibly Treatments -- Glial Cell Research-What Is Damaged? What Can Be Repaired? -- Regeneration and Repair -- Stem Cell Research -- Clinical Research-Treating the Whole Patient -- Chapter 11: Searching for Treatments: The "Ins" and "Outs" of Clinical Trials -- The Special Problems of MS Trials -- Placebo Effects -- The Natural Disease Variability of Multiple Sclerosis -- Understanding the Predicted Drug Effect -- Availability of Safe and Useful Therapies -- Comparison of New Treatments against Available Therapies -- Steps in Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Trials -- Scientific Rationale -- "Preliminary" or Phase 1 Studies.

"Pilot" or Phase 2 Clinical Trials -- "Definitive" or Phase 3 Clinical Trials -- "Postmarketing" or Phase 4 Studies -- Financing Clinical Trials -- Who Participates in Clinical Trials? -- Why Can't Some Patients Participate in Clinical Trials? -- Where Can I Learn About Ongoing Clinical Trials? -- Chapter 12: How Multiple Sclerosis Organizations Can Help -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society -- Philosophy of NMSS Programs -- Who Does the NMSS Serve? -- Quality of Life Goals -- Knowledge -- Health -- Physical Health -- Emotional Health -- Family Support -- Independence -- The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada -- Client Services -- Information and referral -- Education -- Support -- Advocacy -- Funding -- Awareness Activities -- Government Relations/Social Action -- Fund Raising -- History -- MS Clinics -- The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America -- Vital Programs and Services -- The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation -- The Consortium of MS Centers -- The International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses -- Can Do MS -- The MS Coalition -- Glossary -- Additional Readings -- Resources -- Information Sources -- Electronic Information Sources -- Resource Materials -- Agencies and Organizations -- Assistive Technology -- About the Authors -- T. Jock Murray, OC, ONS, MD, FRCPC, MACP, FAAN, FRCP, FCAHS -- Carol S. Saunders, BA, BSN, MSCN -- Nancy J. Holland, EdD, RN, MSCN -- Index.