Past Podcast Episodes

Since 2001, clinicians have relied on the McDonald Diagnostic Criteria as the gold standard for diagnosing someone with multiple sclerosis. As science continues to add to our understanding of MS, the McDonald Criteria have been updated in 2005, 2010, 2017, and most recently in 2024.

This latest iteration of the McDonald criteria will be published in September, and today, Dr. Andrew Solomon is giving us a preview of what these changes are, what they mean, and how they're going to improve the process of diagnosing someone with MS.

We'll also share results of a study that show MS may actually start 15 years before someone experiences their first MS symptom.

We'll tell you about a study that shows a decline in the number of people with MS who are progressing to secondary progressive MS.

We'll give you all the details so you can participate in the Shaping Tomorrow Together initiative with the FDA.

And we'll remind you that Burgers to Beat MS Day is just two days away!

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Updated criteria for diagnosing MS :22

Study results show that MS actually starts many years before the first symptom 1:21

Study shows a decline in the number of people progressing to secondary progressive MS 7:40

A unique opportunity for you to impact future treatments and share your experience of living with MS with the FDA 9:51

We're just 2 days away from Burgers to Beat MS Day! 13:06

Dr. Andrew Solomon shares a preview of the updated McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for MS 14:40

Share this episode 26:20

Coming next week 26:41

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/416

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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: jon@realtalkms.com
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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

PARTICIPATE: Take the Shaping Tomorrow Together Survey
https://s.alchemer.com/s3/Perspectives-on-MS

STUDY: Health Care Use Before Multiple Sclerosis Symptom Onset
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2837128

STUDY: Health Care Use Before Multiple Sclerosis Symptom Onset (PLAIN ENGLISH VERSION)
https://tremlettsmsresearchexplained.wordpress.com/2025/08/05/healthcare-use-before-multiple-sclerosis-symptom-onset-explained

STUDY: Multiple Sclerosis From Onset to Secondary Progression: A 30-Year Italian Register Study
https://researchgate.net/publication/392714813_Multiple_sclerosis_from_onset_to_secondary_progression_a_30-year_Italian_register_study

DONATE: Burgers To Beat MS
https://burgerstobeatms.ca

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RealTalk MS Episode 416
Guest: Dr. Andrew Solomon

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Living with MS is expensive. Very expensive. It's estimated that the average cost of living with MS is over $88,000 per year. How, in the midst of financial stress and uncertainty, can you formulate a financial plan that takes MS into account?

Piggy bank

Paula Cole lives with MS, and she also lives with a lot of financial planning savvy. Paula joins the podcast to share tips and strategies for establishing a personal financial plan for you and your family — even while you're coping with MS.

And Beth Scott, the director of case management at the Patient Advocate Foundation, joins us to explain how you can take advantage of work incentive programs that allow an individual to keep working or even try returning to work while they're receiving Social Security Disability cash benefits.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Ways to earn and hold onto more of your money when you're living with MS :22

Beth Scott explains how you can benefit from work incentive programs while you're receiving Social Security Disability cash benefits :35

Paula Cole shares tips and strategies for establishing a personal financial plan for you and your family when you're living with MS 12:48

Share this episode 27:47

Next Week: The new criteria for diagnosing MS 28:07