you can become ready for MS relapses

FOR A CLEARER PICTURE OF MS RELAPSES

LEARN.

PREPARE.

TAKE ACTION.

2 3

BECOME RELAPSE READY IN

3 SIMPLE STEPS

When you’re living with MS, the last thing you want to think about is your next MS relapse. And why should you? You know it can be physically and emotionally difficult, and when you’re not having one, you just want to get on with life.

But the fact is, you’re probably going to have another MS relapse at some point, and one of the best things you can do for yourself is to be relapse ready. Being relapse ready isn’t about focusing on your next relapse. It’s about getting a clearer picture of MS relapses and making a few simple preparations to help you take timely action during your next relapse.

This guide can help get you started toward becoming relapse ready in 3 simple steps:

STEP 1: LEARN ABOUT MS RELAPSES

STEP 2: WATCH FOR AND TRACK SYMPTOMS OF AN MS RELAPSE

STEP 3: SPEAK UP ABOUT YOUR MS RELAPSE SYMPTOMS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

STEP 1: LEARN ABOUT MS RELAPSES…...........................................4

STEP 2: WATCH FOR AND TRACK SYMPTOMS

OF AN MS RELAPSE…..........................................................6

STEP 3: SPEAK UP ABOUT YOUR MS RELAPSE SYMPTOMS….....8

TREATING YOUR MS RELAPSE….......................................10

THE MS RELAPSE-READY DIFFERENCE….........................11

LET’S GET STARTED

4 5

STEP 1: LEARN ABOUT MS RELAPSES

WHAT IS AN MS RELAPSE?An MS relapse, sometimes called a “flare” or “attack,” is when you experience new or worsening MS symptoms.

Healthcare providers use specific criteria to identify an MS relapse:

• Existing symptoms of MS must have become worse or new symptoms appeared. This can happen gradually or suddenly, and symptoms can be different for everyone

• Symptoms must last at least 24 hours. Relapse symptoms can last days, weeks, or even months

• Symptoms must occur at least 30 days after the last relapse

• There must be no other explanation for the symptoms. Many relapse symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, such as having a fever when you have the flu

While some MS relapses are obvious because of the change in symptoms, other times a relapse may not be as clear right away. For example, if you are feeling more tired than usual, it may be harder to know if this is a relapse or the result of something else.

Step 2 covers tips and tools to help identify an MS relapse.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A RELAPSE AND A PSEUDO-RELAPSEPseudo-relapse symptoms can feel a lot like a true MS relapse, but last for a shorter period of time. If your symptoms resolve within a day or so, you may have experienced a pseudo-relapse.

Symptoms of a pseudo-relapse are not caused by new lesions or damage in the central nervous system. Instead, pseudo-relapses can have a number of other causes:

• Sensitivity to increased body temperature. MS symptoms can occur after small changes in body temperature, a condition caused by underlying nerve damage from MS

• Mild infections such as a cold or urinary tract infection can cause a pseudo-relapse

• Medications for MS and other conditions can cause new symptoms, so be sure to discuss any medications you are taking with your doctor

As you can see, identifying the start of an MS relapse can be tricky. That’s why the next step to becoming relapse ready—tracking and watching for signs and symptoms—is so important.

6 7

STEP 2: WATCH FOR AND TRACK

SYMPTOMS OF AN MS RELAPSETrying to make sense of symptoms that come and go, get worse and get better, can be exhausting and frustrating. Some MS relapse symptoms may go unnoticed. Some may be caused by something other than a true MS relapse. And for some people, each relapse can have different symptoms. So how can you be truly relapse ready?

Keep a log of your everyday MS symptoms. It’s one of the most important things you can do on a regular basis to see through the uncertainty and stay relapse ready.

Here’s why:

• You can identify worsening or improving trends that can signal the beginning of or recovery from a relapse

• You may notice subtle new symptoms that you may have otherwise ignored

• You may find patterns and correlations between symptoms and causes that point to a pseudo-relapse instead of a true relapse

• Your healthcare team can better evaluate you by seeing exactly what symptoms started when

WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR?Symptoms of MS vary from person to person and can change over time. Below is a list of some symptoms that could signal an MS relapse.

• Bladder problems• Bowel problems• Chewing/swallowing difficulties• Coordination problems

(tripping, dropping things)• Difficulty walking• Dizziness/poor balance• Fatigue• Hand/arm weakness

• Leg/foot weakness• Memory problems • Muscle tightness or stiffness• Numbness/tingling• Pain, burning, itching• Sexual problems• Speech changes• Thinking problems• Vision changes

MY RELAPSE REPORT: A HELPFUL TOOL TO MONITOR YOUR SYMPTOMSYou can use the online tool My Relapse Report to help make the most out of every visit with your healthcare team.

Simply go online to RethinkMSrelapses.com/myrelapse, and in 4 easy steps you can create a report that you can either email or print to share with your healthcare team. This report is completely confidential; your information is not saved on the website.

You can benefit from My Relapse Report in two ways:

• When you’re feeling well: Record the symptoms you experience on a daily basis when you’re not experiencing a relapse. This will give you and your healthcare team a good idea of your baseline state of health

• When you think you may be having an MS relapse: You or a family member can record your new or worsening MS symptoms and how they affect you. This will help you and your healthcare team understand how your symptoms have changed over time, and whether or not you need additional treatment

RELAPSE ACTION PLAN Name: Date: _____

Fill out the information below and share your completed form with someone you trust. This person can reach out to your contacts if you need help during a relapse. He/she can also provide important information about your medications to your healthcare provider. Keep a copy on-hand for emergencies.

CoNtaCtsList contact information for your healthcare team, friends, family, or colleagues who can provide support during a relapse.

Unsure if it’s a relapse? Go to RethinkMSRelapses.com and click on “Understand MS Relapses” and “What is an MS relapse?” to learn more. And when in doubt, always talk to a healthcare provider.

Name Relationship address Phone Notes

John Doe, MD Neurologist 123 Street Anytown, State USA 555-555-5555 Discuss last relapse treatment

experienceKaty Doe Babysitter 123 Street

Anytown, State USA555-555-5555 Knows the kids’ routines and is

available most afternoons

Page 1 of 2

RELAPSE ACTION PLAN Name: Date: _____

Fill out the information below and share your completed form with someone you trust. This person can reach out to your contacts if you need help during a relapse. He/she can also provide important information about your medications to your healthcare provider. Keep a copy on-hand for emergencies.

Unsure if it’s a relapse? Go to RethinkMSRelapses.com and click on “Understand MS Relapses” and “What is an MS relapse?” to learn more. And when in doubt, always talk to a healthcare provider.

Medication Dosage Frequency Prescriber Notes

Drug name 0 mg Once daily John Doe, MD Began taking December 2012

MeDiCatioNsList current medications you are taking, including the dosage, frequency, and prescribing healthcare provider.

Page 2 of 2

8 9

STEP 3: SPEAK UP ABOUT YOUR

MS RELAPSE SYMPTOMS

CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE TEAMWhen you think you’re experiencing an MS relapse, don’t wait. Contact your healthcare team as soon as possible, and if you are given treatment for your relapse, stay in contact with them during and after treatment to discuss any changes in your health.

Keep contact information handy for everyone in your healthcare team, which may include:

• MS expert (neurologist or other doctor)

• Primary care physician

• Physician assistant• Nurse practitioner• Registered nurse

CREATE A RELAPSE ACTION PLAN FOR YOU AND YOUR CARE PARTNERIf you have friends, family, or a dedicated care partner to help you manage your MS, seek their help as soon as you think you’re experiencing an MS relapse.

“No one wants to think about relapses when they feel well. But it’s important to learn about relapses and know when to contact your healthcare team.”

— Randy Schapiro, MD, Founder of the Schapiro Center for Multiple Sclerosis at the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology

MAKE A RELAPSE ACTION PLANCreating a Relapse Action Plan can help you and your care partner take the first important steps in dealing with an MS relapse by keeping track of your:

• Healthcare team’s contact information

• Your relapse treatment plan

• Personal contact you can reach out to for support

• Colleagues who may help cover your responsibilities at work

• Here’s an example of what you’ll find:

You can fill out and print an easy-to-use Relapse

Action Plan form at: RethinkMSrelapses.com/action.

10 11

TREATINGYOUR MS RELAPSE

WHY TAKE THE STEPS YOU READ ABOUT EARLIER IN THIS BROCHURE TO BECOME RELAPSE READY?• So you can help your healthcare

team find the right treatment plan for you

• So you can get on treatment once you’ve identified your relapse

Everyone with MS experiences relapses—and relapse treatment—differently, so there’s no “one-size-fits-all” treatment plan. That’s why it’s important to understand all of your options so you can work with your healthcare team to choose one that fits.

THE GOAL OF MS RELAPSE TREATMENT The goal of treating your MS relapse is pretty straightforward: shorten the length of a relapse and speed up relapse recovery.

Treating your MS relapse is different from treating your MS in general—it’s one more reason why it’s so important to get your healthcare team involved in treating your MS relapse as soon you think you may be experiencing a relapse.

You will take your MS relapse treatment in addition to the long-term treatment your doctor has prescribed for your MS. Your doctor may also prescribe additional therapy to treat individual symptoms, such as pain.

TALK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE TEAM ABOUT TREATMENT OPTIONSWhen it comes to treating your MS relapses, you have options. By working together, you and your healthcare team can find the MS relapse treatment option that’s right for you.

THE MS RELAPSE-READY DIFFERENCE

If you’ve had an MS relapse and you didn’t feel relapse ready, you probably felt overwhelmed, confused, and frustrated, in addition to the discomfort of your symptoms.

Being relapse ready can make a big difference in how you handle MS relapses. Imagine the relapse-ready difference:

New and worsening symptoms

• You identify symptom changes because you’ve read up on MS relapses, you know what to look for, and you track your symptoms every day

Engaging your healthcare team

• Your healthcare team uses your My Relapse Report to help evaluate the change in your symptoms, confirm that you’re having a relapse, and recommend treatment options right away

Your care partner and Relapse Action Plan

• Meanwhile, your care partner has your Relapse Action Plan ready and reaches out to a coworker, babysitter, or whomever you have identified to make necessary arrangements on the way to relapse recovery

• Once you’ve started your relapse treatment, you’re on your way to relapse recovery

Being relapse ready can help you take charge, enlist the help of others, and take timely action in getting the right treatment plan for you.

FOR A CLEARER PICTURE OF MS RELAPSES AND BECOMING RELAPSE READY, VISIT:

RethinkMSrelapses.com/ready

Mallinckrodt, the “M” brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company.© 2015 Mallinckrodt. PM-03-01-2195 08/15 Printed in USA.