We understand that you might be feeling worried about the Coronavirus(COVID-19) and your MS.
We have put this page together as an information resource, it will be updated with new information as appropriate.
Whether you have had COVID or not, we are trying to gather as much information on how you are coping with your MS and the pandemic at this time. It is really important that we capture how people with MS are dealing with the tiering and other guidelines set out by the government. We would be very grateful if you could log on (or join if you are not already a participant) and complete the questionnaires that appear for you on your My Home page.
We have over 46,000 answers to COVID-19 related Questionnaires so far and we thank all that have contributed. Please see below for videos about the results and also some useful links about COVID-19.
If you are concerned about the Vaccine, please refer to the MS society and the MS Trust’s information pages that they have put together.
MS Society Medical Advisers release consensus statement on MS treatments and COVID-19 vaccines:
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/news/ms-society-medical-advisers-release-consensus-statement-covid-19-vaccines
The MS Trust has an excellent interview with the Neurologist Professor Alasdair Coles here:
https://mstrust.org.uk/news/covid-19-vaccines-what-they-mean-people-ms
If you are concerned about anything you should contact your GP or MS Healthcare team.
The NHS have a great page on the symptoms of Coronavirus and how to stay safe:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
If you suspect you have Coronavirus (COVID-19) this is an NHS questionnaire which helps you decide what to do:
https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/ or you should call 111
The UK Government has a selection of resources here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
Including advice if you or someone in your household has contracted the virus:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
If you would like more information on the Vaccines and MS, then the MS Trust has an excellent interview with the Neurologist Professor Alasdair Coles here - https://mstrust.org.uk/news/covid-19-vaccines-what-they-mean-people-ms
The MS Society have gathered Medical Advisors together to release a consensus statement on MS treatments and COVID-19 vaccines:
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/news/ms-society-medical-advisers-release-consensus-statement-covid-19-vaccines
And also here:
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/online-community/community-blog/covid19-vaccines-and-ms-what-we-know-so-far
A resource to help families understand the relationship between MS and coronavirus
http://digestingscience.co.uk/covid/
Advice from the government for people who are more vulnerable (including people with MS)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults
MS Society pages
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/ms-and-coronavirus-care-and-support
MS Trust pages
https://www.mstrust.org.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19-what-does-it-mean-people-multiple-sclerosis
Shift MS is a social network for people with MS Founded by MSers for MSers
https://shift.ms/topic/how-will-coronavirus-impact-msers
DMTs and Coronavirus- the Associated British Neurologists have released guidance on the use of Disease Modifying Therapies in MS in response to the threat of a Coronavirus epidemic
www.ukmsregister.org/abnguidance
International advice from the MS International Federation
https://www.msif.org/news/2020/02/10/the-coronavirus-and-ms-what-you-need-to-know/
Every Mind Matters has resources for making sure that your mental health is also being cared for. It has advice on de-stressing, anxiety, sleeping, and low mood
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
This Guardian article has some tips on entertaining children and exercise at home during isolation
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/17/pause-reflect-and-stay-home-how-to-look-after-yourself-and-others-in-self-isolation