Episode 135: Coping With the Uncertainty of MS and COVID-19 with Dr. Kevin Alschuler

This week, and for the foreseeable future, we're committed to sharing the most updated and reliable information on COVID-19 and MS.

Joining me as my guest is Dr. Kevin Alschuler, a Rehabilitation Psychologist with appointments as an Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Washington. Dr. Alschuler also serves as the Psychology Director for the UW Medicine Multiple Sclerosis Center.

Dr. Alschuler works clinically with patients with Multiple Sclerosis and other chronic medical conditions. And his primary role is to help patients develop effective strategies for managing the physical and emotional symptoms that present with their medical condition.

Dr. Alschuler is also an active researcher, and his primary areas of focus include chronic pain, adjustment to medical condition, and the multidisciplinary treatment of medical conditions, currently with an emphasis on multiple sclerosis.

We're talking with Dr. Alschuler about how people living with MS can build their personal resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. He'll share some specific steps that you can start taking today that will help reduce the stress that you're feeling and empower you to come through the other side of these uncertain times with inner strength and greater calm.

We'll connect you to the video replay of last Friday's Ask An MS Expert webinar. I hope you consider these weekly webinars with leading MS experts answering your questions to be “can't miss” viewing.

We're also talking about the new RealTalk MS Facebook group. We'll tell you which states have re-opened enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. And you'll find out how and where to apply online for the MS Foundation's Emergency Assistance Grants.

You'll learn about the new MS disease-modifying therapy that the FDA approved last week — but it won't be available for quite a while (we'll tell you why). We'll share some new online resources, including online information and support resources for MS caregivers. And speaking of MS caregivers, we'll tell you about an online survey for MS caregivers that we hope you (or a family caregiver) will take.