THE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

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There is a lot of information out there on Multiple Sclerosis, it can be overwhelming. Get the facts.

Q: Is MS contagious, can I pass it on to my friends or family?

A: No. Detailed studies show that MS can’t be passed from person to person; it’s not a transmissible disease.

Q: Is there a diet that may benefit MS?

I have been told that I may have MS. My overall health is not good and hasn’t been for years. Is there a diet that may benefit my health? By the way, my friends say I am not a good advertisement for healthy eating.

A: Shereen Jegtvig writes: There is no diet that will treat or cure multiple sclerosis, however there may be some connections between MS and diet. Read more at Ask your nutritionist or contact us for a copy of the MSWA Nutritional Guidelines.

Q: I have MS and want to know if I should have the flu vaccination; I heard it can cause a relapse?

A: Our medical advisor Prof W Carroll commented:

"There is no evidence that these vaccinations make MS worse or cause a relapse. Should one occur, around the time of 'flu' vaccination it is thought to be a coincidental event. Occasionally people with MS having vaccinations can have a brief exacerbation of existing MS symptoms but this is not worsening of the MS. People with MS are advised to discuss this with their treating neurologist or physician as soon as possible as it is essential to have the vaccination earlier rather than later to reduce the risk of contracting the flu"

Q: I have MS and want to know about the risks of my daughters having the Gardasil vaccinations. I heard that it has brought on MS symptoms in some girls. I need to be well informed or else I won’t allow our daughters to be vaccinated.

A: Prof A. Kermode responded: Although there have been girls / women with Gardasil who have had MS attacks reported, there is no evidence for an increased incidence of MS as a result.

There has been close monitoring of this Australia wide and the numbers of MS are the same as expected by chance; this is monitored closely by the TGA. Therefore if I had MS and I had a daughter, I would still get her to have the Gardasil vaccine as I calculate the risk of cervical cancer (which can be prevented) is greater than the (unchanged) risk of developing MS.

Q: “I just wondered if you could give me some information as I'm going through menopause and have recently been to a naturopath and got some tablets. I've been taking them for a couple of weeks now, and they don't appear to be doing anything.
Do you know of many MS ladies taking HRT? My doctor doesn't recommend it.

A: Of course menopause affects women differently and certainly the hot flushes with associated rise in body temperature can in some people exacerbate MS symptoms similar to when you get temperature rises with infections.

A medical opinion: “There is no real evidence that HRT alters MS. Therefore treatment decisions should be the same as for a Non-MS patient. Many GPs would use HRT to treat menopause symptoms; it can for example reduce the risk of urinary tract infections, hot flushes, dry skin, etc. The risk of HRT is extremely low, if indeed there is any risk. For example the associated risk of increase in breast cancer is very small indeed, and probably offset by the association of reduced risk of stroke, heart attack and Alzheimer’s disease. If unpleasant symptoms of menopause are occurring then it would be logical to avail oneself of HRT”.

If considered at increased risk for HRT e.g. a family history of breast cancer, your doctor may be reluctant to prescribe HRT, if not then it appears there is no contraindication related to your MS.