PsychCase360
In this 25-minute discussion, patients and providers can learn to address the unseen symptoms that accompany multiple sclerosis, including fatigue, pain, and cognitive difficulties.
Episode 1: Patient Experience with Fatigue, Cognitive Dysfunction
Episode 2: MS-Related Mood Disorders and Cognitive Dysfunction
Episode 3: Doctor-patient Relationship in MS
Episode 4: OPTIMUM and TRIUMPHANT Trials for MS Fatigue
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major neurologic disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. Many of its symptoms are easily noticed, but others are not visible to the naked eye and make day-to-day life with the disease difficult to navigate for millions of patients
This panel of renowned faculty, who specialize in MS, are reflective of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team that’s required for the care and management of patients living with MS. In each of these four episodes, you’ll hear from Lillian, a patient who was diagnosed 30 years ago. She describes the “troublesome” invisible symptoms of the disease in a candid conversation with a neurologist and psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, and neuropsychologist. Lillian sheds new light on the course of treatment, standard of care, and latest research insights that improve the quality of life.
Some of the most obvious, or visible, symptoms of MS include gait impairment, balance and instability, tremors, and difficulties with speech. It’s the invisible symptoms that can take a physical, mental, and emotional toll. Lillian calls fatigue and cognitive dysfunction “the evil twins of MS,” something she’s found difficult to explain to those who haven’t experienced it themselves.
Listening to patients is key for physicians to “untangle the ball of yarn” that this disease presents. The subtle and even non-verbal clues are important to get to the crux of what patients are experiencing and how providers can address it through medication, psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications, and especially the latest research. Recent clinical trials like OPTIMUM and TRIUMPHANT-MS hold the keys to important disease-modifying therapy.
Dr. Coyle is an expert in multiple sclerosis and neurologic Lyme disease. She has held multiple leadership positions at the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the American Academy of Neurology, the American Neurological Association, and the National MS Society. She has served as an adviser to the Food and Drug Administration and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Coyle has received research funding from the NIH and the National MS Society and is actively engaged in studies to understand and treat these diseases.
Patricia Melville is a board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Instructor at the Stony Brook University MS Comprehensive Care Center. She is the past president of the Long Island MS Nurses Society and the President -Elect of the MS Nurse International Certification Board. She is an active member of the local NMSS Healthcare Provider Council. Ms. Melville has lectured both nationally and internationally on MS and MS Care. She is an author of numerous peer-reviewed articles on clinical care in MS.
Dr. Preston is Director of the Neuropsychology Service and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Stony Brook University Hospital. Dr. Preston is a board- certified neuropsychologist who has been practicing for over 20 years in medical settings. He obtained his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Vanderbilt University and completed fellowships in clinical child psychology and neuropsychology at Yale University and the University of Rochester.
