We're Probably Going to Cure MS

You've probably heard of multiple sclerosis, especially if you're a fan of The West Wing. But can we ever cure MS? Yes. But also, no. But also, probably? It's complicated.

To learn more about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) visit:

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[ShineHatfield]

I'm part of a study (called ReVIVE) through University of California in San Francisco that is testing the effectiveness of clemestine fumarate in re-myelinating damaged neurons. I've been participating in various MS studies through them since my diagnosis in 2020. I feel privileged to be contributing to such important research that could change the lives of millions

[FittingUsername]

I'm 30 now and I got MS at 15. I remember my neurologists back then saying "we don't know where MS comes from, but the research is is really promising".
Seeing this video now is awesome!

[Rodlaw]

My dad had this disease all his life and died at 44, not knowing exactly what his ms was, this was the most important yet painful video I’ve seen on YouTube. Thank you Sci-show for sharing this video. I now know a lot more than I ever could find about this disease rip dad. Shout out sci show.

[ismnotwasm]

My husband has lived with MS for over 40 years. His first symptoms were when he was 17, he didn’t get officially diagnosed until 10 years later. He is on one of the disease-modifying drugs called Tysobry. It worked for him, his progression was slowed way down. When he was first diagnosed, there was nothing, really, for treatments. . He was diagnosed with secondary progressive and given a prescription for a wheelchair. Many years later, he can still walk for short distances, and he can still drive. They are calling his disease relapsing-remitting now. He has a plethora of symptoms, including pain, tinnitus, fatigue, spasms—the symptom list is quite long, but he functions well and participates in his own life to the best of his ability .
It’s a terrible disease, but there is more hope now than ever.

My youngest daughter also has it, although quite mild. I’m mentioning this to remind people that there is a genetic component as well.

[basschick]

I am 35 and was diagnosed with MS on Halloween 2019, and have been on all three B-cell targeted DMTs Tysabri, Ocrevus, and currently Kesimpta. It absolutely blows my mind how far research has come with MS treatments even within the last few years, and I am so so so grateful to all the scientists who work on this terrible disease. Thank you SciShow for shedding more light on MS! ❤️

[tistrisha]

My bio mom died 2 years ago after having MS for over 30 years and living in a home. She was so unwell she lost mobility and memory, which was also because of dimentia. I had to be adopted at birth because she was unfit to parent. It was horrible to grow up seeing her all the time but unable to care for me. She deserved a better life. I am happy to see this video and it gives me hope for those who live with it now. I wish all a healthy happy life and that the cure will come soon.

[CyberNeo-Taoist]

As a 32 year old MS patient who has had MS for about 14 years and that is very poor living in the U.S. I have accepted and have come to terms with that even if a cure gets created I won't be allowed access to it since everything in this countries healthcare system is entirely based on the weight of your wallet and the size of your bank account. I have accepted this and am trying adapt to and live with the ever changing hardships that RRMS brings along

[adristein]

I’m a 40 year old MS patient and was diagnosed 17 years ago. This disease is a curse. You have to live life one day at a time and never know what might happen next. My nerve damage is to the extent that I can’t feel anything from the tips of my toes up to my knees. I can’t feel my fingertips. My doctors are calling it peripheral neuropathy. It’s extremely hard to get around and I have to burden my family with doing things for me that I should be able to do. I’ve tried various treatments that don’t stop the progression of this disease. I’ve come to terms that it will eventually kill me. I wouldn’t wish this curse on anyone.

[evertonperk]

I was diagnosed in 2019, when Ocrelizumab was still quite new. With this treatment, coupled with a strict approach to diet and exercise, I have been relapse free since treatment began.

After not being able to walk, talk, see or feel properly, I can't help but acknowledge this as a huge blessing.

[frosty_farms]

I lost my dad in 2004 to MS. I took care of him in his last years and even i had to put off school and honestly was never really able to go back, but i wouldnt trade it for anything. Taking care of him taught me so much about him, myself and and our relationship as a whole. He passed when he was 28. I am now 40 and a colon cancer survivor. My dr found a baseball sized tumor in my lower colon in 2015 and i habe been cancer free ever since. So I know he watches over me. I just miss him so damn much.

[vhaun]

Really great to see MS being mentioned here as not much people know about this autoimmune disease.

[ali]

An MS mention on Scishow? My mum has it- great to see it being talked about :)

[thehangmansdaughter]

I'm now almost 50 and got my MS diagnosis more than 10 years ago. At the time I wasn't given much encouraging news, they didn't know what caused it, couldn't cure it and could only help me deal with it's effects. But science marches on, thank god.

[eulalia]

I've had MS for 37 years. I am still able to work, walk and dance. The only times my illness became aggressive was twice when I went on low fat diets (one for weight loss, another time to be a vegan). I now eat an animal based diet and feel pretty good for a person with a long history of MS.

[LegallyLyric]

I’m a 16 year old, diagnosed this year with MS. My mother has it, as well as some aunts on her side. I already use mobility aids in school (cane, crutches), and my symptoms sort of come and go. I love Scishow, and although it’s a lot, and terrifying, it’s awesome to see it talked about on here! It’s a comfort, and I thank you for that. Getting my first infusion of Ocrevus on the 12th! :D

Edit: Thank you for the kind words. Happy MS awareness month! 🎗🧡
(Misspelled the medication lol oops.)

[rustynail]

My friend died of MS last year. He had PPMS and the drugs did nothing to help. From riding motorcycles cross country to being bed ridden 3 years later, to burying him after 5 years. It's devastating to watch.

[greenmoose_]

I got diagnosed with MS at 33, I'm 46 now and its really starting to kick into high gear with me recently losing the effective use of my right hand and arm (being right handed this especially sucks!) and I am also beginning to lose sensation in my feet. Coupled with crippling fatigue, bouts of dizziness, optic neuritis etc etc... its about as much fun as it sounds! This research is promising in that it will hopefully prevent people in the future having to experience what I am, and I by no means have it the worst! Sadly for people like me experiencing the effects of nervous system damage I don't think this research is much use, but it does mean there's maybe a brighter future in store for upcoming generations!

[Ariccio]

This has me really excited. But not for the reason you think.

See - you've missed an angle entirely! EBV is an airborne infection.

The things we do to prevent airborne infections *also* prevent EBV infections, and thus *also* prevent MS!

One of the most exciting reasons I work as a tiny part of a group of 80+ doctors, scientists, engineers, and activists, on the airborne mitigation aspect of *COVID* pandemic response is that providing clean indoor air is essentially 100% effective at preventing airborne disease in the same way as providing clean water is 100% effective at preventing waterborne disease.

And y'know what? We *already* have the tools. Good ventilation. Basic stuff like ERVs and smart controls. Improved filtration - slots right in for the most part, and portable supplementation as a temporary fix where needed.

That's the beauty of it. But shamefully, we've completely failed to do this part of pandemic response in any meaningful way. That's the tragedy - we really learned nothing there.

But slowly, we're trying to shift the winds of change.

[wannacashmeoutside]

The key is to keep children and teens as interested in science/health/medicine /bioengineering as possible so they be inspired to tackle this task

[thegothemperex]

As someone who was diagnosed with MS back in August, I'm excited to hear SciShow saying progress is being made.