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Your MS treatment plan: Tips for staying on track.

You want to get the best results from your treatment and we want to help. Below is a list of some tips that can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay on track for the best outcomes.

See your neurologist. Don’t ignore severe symptoms or a flare that lasts more than a few days. Make and keep all magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood work and neurology appointments even if you feel fine. Your multiple sclerosis (MS) could be active even if you don’t have symptoms.

Eat a balanced diet. Eating healthy is smart for everyone, including people with MS. Some studies suggest a diet low in saturated fat but high in omega-3 fatty acids found in olive and fish oils may be helpful.1

Stay cool. Some MS symptoms get worse as the body temperature rises. Avoid hot areas or use devices like cooling scarves or vests.

Use medication reminders. Set a standing alarm on your smart phone or tablet. You can set up alerts and reminders on the CVS Specialty mobile app. Download it free from Google® Play or Apple® iTunes® stores. Other ways to remind yourself include:

  • Posting a sticky note where it can be seen easily, like on your bathroom mirror or refrigerator
  • Scheduling tasks or appointments on your computer or cell phone calendar
  • Using a pill box or creating a check-off chart

Sharing your feelings with others living with MS, family and friends can help improve your mood.

Go online. Manage and track all your MS prescriptions anytime, anywhere, in one, secure place. Register at CVSspecialty.com or download our app to refill, track orders, set reminders and more.

Plan your day. Fatigue is one of the most common MS symptoms, and it’s a side effect of some Disease Modifying Therapies (DMT). Rest often and plan your day’s tasks around when you have the most energy.

Call your CareTeam. Stay in touch and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your MS CareTeam of pharmacists and nurses can give you advice on relieving side effects, what to do if you miss a dose of your medication, creating an easy-to-follow medication schedule and more.

Exercise. Exercise can help improve muscle strength, balance and coordination, which can all be affected by MS. It’s also great for your mood and self-esteem. Ask your neurologist about how to get active.

Talk to your family and friends. Depression can sneak into your life slowly and you may not even realize it. Talk to your loved ones and ask them to learn its signs and how to get the right help. Sharing your feelings with others living with MS, family and friends can help improve your mood.

Adhere to your DMT. One study found people with relapsing-remitting MS who started earlier actually lived longer than people who started later. And without a DMT, one out of two people with relapsing-remitting MS will progress to the more severe type, secondary-progressive MS within 10 years.2 Read this article to learn more about DMT adherence.

Cope with stress. Stress can trigger and worsen MS symptoms, including depression. Massage, meditation, support groups, seeing a counselor and staying connected to friends and family can help you cope with life’s ups and downs.

CVS Specialty can help you stay on track and get the best outcomes from your MS treatment plan, including managing side effects, symptoms and flares. Call us at 1-800-237-2767 to speak to a pharmacist or nurse specially trained in caring for MS.

This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Talk to your doctor or health care provider about your medical condition and prior to starting any new treatment. CVS Specialty assumes no liability whatsoever for the information provided or for any diagnosis or treatment made as a result, nor is it responsible for the reliability of the content.

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1Riccio P, Rossano R. Nutrition Facts in Multiple Sclerosis. ASN NEURO. 2015; 7(1):1759091414568185. doi: 10.1177/1759091414568185.

2Gold R, Wolinsky JS, Amato MP, Comi G. Evolving expectations around early management of multiple sclerosis. Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders. 2010;3(6):351-367. doi:10.1177/1756285610385608.