Publications
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
is pleased to offer a variety of publications and materials
dealing with the many aspects of life with MS. These publications
are available for people with MS, families, friends, caregivers
and children and are grouped by the following headings for
easy access:
All publications are available on line in
Portable Document Format (PDF) and in print as well, unless
otherwise indicated. View a complete
listing of national publications. To order print copies call your nearest division
office of the MS Society at 1-800-268-7582. (The first
copy is complimentary. Additional copies and bulk orders will
be charged for the cost of the booklet plus shipping.)
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To comment on our publications or suggest
additional topics you'd like to see, please contact us at publications.comments@mssociety.ca.
For more information on multiple sclerosis
and related issues, you can also check the National
Information Resource Centre which runs a computerized database
of the latest journal articles on multiple sclerosis.
About multiple sclerosis – general
information
MS Canada
One of the best ways to keep up-to-date about advances in MS
research, treatments and MS Society services and programs
is to receive the quarterly publication MS Canada. View
current and back issues of MS Canada online.
Multiple Sclerosis and how we can
help
This brochure contains basic facts about multiple sclerosis
and information on the MS Society's programs and activities.
National
Information Resource Centre
This brochure outlines the various online, CD-ROM, Internet
and print information resources available for persons with
MS and health professionals.
 
The Treatment Question: Should I Start an MS Medication?
This booklet helps to explain the rationale for early treatment with basic descriptions
of the drug choices available. 12-page booklet.
 Choosing
an MS Therapy is a new video program
on DVD produced by the MS Society of Canada. Intended for people
who have discussed starting a disease-modifying therapy with
their doctor, the program offers balanced information about
current treatment options. It includes a discussion with leading
experts involved in MS care, as well as interviews with people
who have faced the big question of whether they should start
treatment. The program and accompanying
information booklet explain how the medications work, what to expect from treatment,
and the benefits and challenges of starting and staying on
therapy. It is designed to be used by the person with MS whose
doctor has suggested that they start a disease modifying therapy
and who need to make a treatment decision. It is available
in both English and French.
Key
Facts for those affected by MS
This brochure provides a brief overview of MS and answers common
questions many newly diagnosed individuals have. This resource
includes information on symptoms, types of MS, treatments,
MS myths, research and what help is available. This
publication lists MS therapies. View an update
of therapies available.
MS:
Its effects on you and those you love
A handbook for those newly diagnosed with MS. It answers some
of the most frequently asked questions about the disease and
also describes effective coping mechanisms.
Living
with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
This straight forward and supportive guide recognizes the special
concerns of people with progressive MS. As well as looking
at the issue of treatment, and providing information on symptom
management, this guide also explores the many non-pharmacological
ways of getting the most out of day-to-day life with progressive
MS. This publication lists MS therapies. For
more information about MS therapies, see our treatments page.
Red
Flags, Green Lights
Accessing reliable health information
This booklet helps to identify warning signs of potentially
unreliable information about MS on the internet, magazines,
newspapers, television programs and radio commentaries.
Living
Well with MS: Medical Research and Hope
This booklet summarizes some of the ongoing research in MS,
looks at new and emerging therapies, and explores promising
research avenues, such as neuroprotection. This booklet, which
is part of a national educational series, will show how medical
research being done today provides hope for a cure tomorrow. This
publication lists MS therapies. View an update
of therapies available.
MS
Research and Hope: Moving closer to a world without MS
Find out how researchers in Canada and around the world are
zeroing in on the cause of MS and searching for ways to prevent
it. A special four-page insert from the May 2005 issue of MS
Canada.
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Managing MS symptoms
MS
Attacks: What they are and what you can do about them
An MS attack – also known as an exacerbation or relapse
– can disrupt people’s lives. Find out more about
MS attacks and how you can manage them. A special four-page
insert from the August 2002 issue of MS Canada.
Living
Well with MS: Managing fatigue
This 48-page booklet is a must for those who experience fatigue.
It includes information on the impact of MS fatigue, its causes
and diagnosis, as well as a section on different strategies
and medications for best coping with this common symptom. It
also includes a Fatigue Impact Scale, an MS Activity Diary,
Fatigue Resources, and a Bibliography. This publication
lists MS therapies. View an update
of therapies available.
Living
Well with MS: Mind Matters
Some people with MS also experience depression. This resource will help people
understand the connection between MS and depression as well as provide solutions
that may help you manage this MS symptom and improve your day-to-day life. This
publication lists MS therapies. View an update
of therapies available.
Sexuality
and MS
This detailed booklet deals with the changes that may occur
in the sexual lives of people who have multiple sclerosis and
offers practical advice on how to deal with these changes.
Urinary
Dysfunction and MS: A guide for people with multiple sclerosis
This publication is a comprehensive guide to MS-related urinary
problems. It includes detailed descriptions of diagnostic testing,
management strategies, and commonly prescribed medications.
Understanding
Bowel Problems
This booklet describes the impact of MS on bowel functioning
and also suggests good bowel habits.
Living
for Today: Managing MS Pain
For many years MS was considered a 'painless disease'. Now
it is recognized that over 50% of people with MS will experience
some type of pain. This publication discusses the different
types of pain experienced in MS and the steps that can be taken
to prevent, eliminate, or improve this pain. A useful publication
for working with your physician in managing this difficult
symptom.
Pain
and MS: Options exist to manage this difficult symptom
More than 50 percent of people with MS experience pain. This
four page article explores treatment options. A special insert
from the November 2005 issue of MS Canada.
Mind
Matters: MS can bring changes to mood and memory
The good news is it can be helped. This article examines MS-related
mood and memory problems with an emphasis on treatment. A special
four-page insert from the August 2004 issue of MS Canada. English
is available in PDF only.
Cognitive Change and MS
This publication provides comprehensive information about cognitive
dysfunction. It also shares practical strategies for coping
with this common symptom.
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Health and wellness
10
Tips for people living with MS
This booklet provides ten guiding principles for living well
with a chronic illness such as multiple sclerosis. Part of
a national educational series. Available in PDF only.
Healthy
Eating
This booklet describes some of the special diets claimed, though
never proven, to be beneficial for MS. It also presents a clear
guide to what makes up a healthy diet based on Canada's Food
Guide.
Multiple
Sclerosis and Your Emotions
This booklet explains the effects that multiple sclerosis may
have emotionally and psychologically on individuals. It describes
common reactions to chronic disease and the usual stages of
adjustment to MS in a positive and easy to understand manner.
Everybody
Stretch
Regular exercise is an important factor in maintaining health.
But it’s difficult to stick to a program when you have
MS, because of fluctuating symptoms. This illustrated workbook
outlines a flexible, individualized exercise program that can
be adapted to changing physical abilities. It provides 34 stretching
exercises for the entire body, with variations for different
abilities, and an exercise log and worksheet to help you keep
track.
Multiple
Sclerosis and Fitness
This publication from our Quebec Division discusses the benefits
of physical activity as well as the dangers of inactivity and
new approaches to this field. It also suggests sports and activities
that can be enjoyed by people with MS, whether or not they
have functional limitations.
Taming
Stress
Having a chronic illness increases stress. MS is no exception.
This booklet will provide you with strategies for simplifying
daily life, as well as exercises such as muscle relaxation,
deep breathing and more which will help you cut stress down
to size.
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Multiples sclerosis and family
Parenting
with Multiple Sclerosis: How parents with MS – and
their kids – adapt and get stronger.
Parenting is a difficult job under any circumstances but parenting
with MS has extra challenges such as dealing with the physical,
emotional and other aspects of MS on top of the pressures of
being a good parent. For the child, there are challenges as
well. For instance, how to be a kid like other kids your age;
wondering if your parent is going to be okay; or seeing the
toll MS takes on your parent. From the May 2006 issue of MS
Canada.
Parenthood
and MS: Arriving at a decision that works for you
It's common for individuals in their twenties or thirties to
consider if and when they will have children. It's a big decision!
Add multiple sclerosis to the mix and many women – and
men – can feel overwhelmed. What is the right thing to
do? And how can you plan with a disease as unpredictable as
MS? From the March 2006 issue of MS Canada.
How
to Talk about MS with Your Children
This guide is a practical aid to help parents communicate better
with their children about multiple sclerosis. By helping parents
understand their children's reactions to the disorder, this
36-page booklet will give them the means to pursue their very
important role in their children's lives, despite the changes
brought about by the disease. This guide may also be useful
for anyone who wants to provide help or support young children
or teens who have a parent with multiple sclerosis.
Keep
S'myelin, a resource for children of parents
with MS, is a colourful activity book intended to help
children find answers to questions about multiple sclerosis
and talk with their family and friends about the changes
MS can bring. It includes many games, jokes and fun activities.
This publication, produced in collaboration with the National
MS Society (U.S.), is based on NMSS's award-winning newsletter
Keep S'myelin.
Keep
Your Balance! is a colourful publication for
teens which includes basic information about MS and testimonies
from teens who have a parent with MS. It is intended to
help teens understand MS, its impact on the family, and
their own feelings about the disease.
My
Mommy has MS
This booklet for pre-school children describes MS and its effects
in an easy to understand manner. Written by a mother with MS
and her daughter, the booklet also includes a "rainbow
activity" that children can prepare with a parent after
reading the book. (Illustrations copyright, Michael Speke)
Benjamin: My Mum is Special
This publication
provides a view of MS through the eyes of a child struggling
to understand his mother's mysterious and
sometimes frightening illness. This is a beautiful tale of
coping, compassion, and caring that should be shared between
all parents with MS and their children. For children approximately
age 6-10 years old.
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Managing Practical Issues
A
Guide to Employment and Income Support
This new MS Society publication provides comprehensive
practical information and guidance on a wide range of income
and employment
issues relevant to living with MS. There are six separate sections
which address: working with MS, leaving the workplace, returning
to work, income support, financial assistance, and tax relief.
Also included is a separate booklet about MS
in the workplace for employers of persons
with MS. This publication lists MS therapies. View
an update of therapies
available.
Talking with your MS Patients about Difficult Topics
Have you ever felt that you were more of an 'expert' on multiple
sclerosis than the physician treating you? Have you ever wished
your doctor had dealt with an MS symptom more sensitively than
they did? This publication was developed by the Professional
Resource Center of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
(USA), the Canadian adaptation is a resource containing six
publications which help physicians support their patients through
some of the more challenging aspects of MS:
Select the links above to view the PDF versions
of these publications. This publication lists MS therapies. View
an update of therapies
available.
Insuring
Your Future: Your guide to life insurance and multiple
sclerosis
Once diagnosed, it is often difficult for people with MS to
obtain insurance. This booklet provides easy-to-understand
information about life insurance and describes strategies for
acquiring life insurance as well as alternatives to insurance
coverage.
MS,
Work and Income Support: Finding your way through the maze
An MS diagnosis does not necessarily spell the end of your
work life. Some people's MS is mild enough to never prevent
them from working. Others cope with varying degrees of disability
that temporarily or permanently affect their ability to work.
Knowing your employment and income replacement options can
help you stay employed for as long as possible and plan for
a time when you may no longer be able to work. A special four-page
insert from the February 2005 issue of MS Canada.
MS Treatment
Optimization Strategies: Getting the most out of MS therapies
For people wanting to optimize their well-being, the challenge
is how to get the maximum benefits from available treatments,
keep as well as possible and enjoy a good quality of life.
This booklet provides suggestions on how to discuss treatment
options with health care professionals and get the most out
of MS therapies. This publication lists MS therapies. View
an update of therapies
available.
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MS and caregivers
A Guide for Caregivers
This guide provides information on practical issues faced
by caregivers. A resource list is included.
Balancing Work and Caregiving: Tips
for Employees
Taking
Care: Resources for Caregivers
Provides caregivers with useful insights
and resources to help manage their important role as a
caregiver.
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Young persons with MS
Mighty
Special Kids
This activity book is for kids aged five to 12 who have multiple
sclerosis. The book helps families talk about MS, helps children
understand how MS affects their daily life and offers suggestions
for discussing MS with friends and schoolmates. The booklet
also includes games, interviews with kids who have MS, and
family activities. You can also link to the interactive
version on the National MS Society’s website (English
only).
Kids
Get MS Too: A Guide for Parents Whose Child or Teen has
MS
This handbook contains articles on a variety of topics written
by specialists in childhood MS, and includes resources and
information to further guide parents with regards to more specific
topics.
Kids
Get MS Too – Questions and Answers
This is an information guide on pediatric multiple sclerosis
for parents of children with MS, MS Society staff and volunteers,
health professionals and others with an interest in this topic.
Areas covered include general information on pediatric ms,
diagnosis and treatment, emotional and cognitive issues and
financial and insurance assistance.
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