Anyone who has been diagnosed with MS knows this condition can turn your world upside down. While it’s a relief to know the culprit behind your symptoms, the diagnosis itself brings lifestyle changes, endless medical appointments and tests, dietary adjustments, therapies, and more. Trying to maintain these new adjustments while also managing your symptoms can be overwhelmingly challenging even before the fatigue and brain fog! 

When diagnosed 20 years ago, the internet was still relatively new. Most of my research involved printed materials, and my notes and appointments kept on paper. While there’s nothing wrong with “writing it down”, it can be difficult to keep track of everything in a notebook. 

Thankfully, technology has made advancements in the past 20 years. Not only is tech helping us to stay connected, it’s helping those of us with chronic conditions manage our health, our symptoms, and our lives. From wearable tech that helps us better understand MS to apps that keep our days on track, here are four ways technology is making life with MS more manageable. 

Online Resources 

One of the many reasons I started this website was to share the information I’d gleaned over my many years of research while personally managing MS. Today, there are a plethora of resources online, from the National MS Society to medical websites to blogs and online groups. Thanks to technology, the information, resources, and support we need are more readily available. 

Medical Tech for Diagnosis & Treatment 

While online resources have been a great help for finding information about MS, medical technology has helped improve diagnosis, treatment, and symptom management. In 2019, researchers developed a new tool that creates 3D images of brain lesions. This is helping doctors better understand which parts of the brain can heal. For those who have gait and balance issues, wearable tech FootWARE can monitor your vitals and even detect if you trip and fall. The data can even be tracked and stored for medical records! And those who have mobility challenges, companies are now making compact and lightweight scooters that can be folded to fit in the trunk of a car.  

Social Media  

One of the significant challenges of MS is the effect on one’s social life. During a flare, it can be nearly impossible to get out of bed, let alone spend time with friends and loved ones. Mobility issues can make outings more challenging, and general fatigue and brain fog mean that sometimes you are simply “out of spoons” for the day’s activities. 

Thankfully, social media enables us to connect with friends, loved ones, and even fellow MS warriors from the comfort of home. Whether it’s a Facebook page that inspires us, or Selma Blair showing the world what MS looks like day-to-day, social media provides the friendship and emotional support we need even if we can’t be together in person. 

Apps 

One of the greatest tools to help with the daily challenges of managing MS is in the palm of our hands. Mobile apps have changed the way we track symptoms, take our medications, and store our vital health information.

During a flare, writing can be a challenge. Thankfully, note-taking apps allow you to type lists, and even include voice dictation if typing is a challenge. These apps are great for writing down questions for your next medical appointment, making grocery lists, or simply remembering that great quote you saw. 

Another challenge is remembering to take supplements and medication at the appropriate time. There are many ways your phone can help with this: 

• Create alarms for specific times throughout the day with reminders

• Set calendar notifications to take your medications

• Use an app like Medisafe Pill Reminder, which is designed specifically to help people remember which pills they’ve taken and which they haven’t. 

While these apps provide general assistance, there are several apps that are designed specifically for MS. The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) has designed My MS Manager to help users track their symptoms, receive medication reminders, get the latest information on MS, and more. Download the app on Apple or Android.

There’s no doubt we are making great strides in the fight against MS. Whether it’s science that helps us better understand how MS affects the brain, or apps that help us remember the little things throughout the day, technology is bringing us hope, help, and connection - and that makes living symptom free a reality for more people every day.