If you missed our web chat on Multiple Sclerosis with
Dr. Rae-Grant, read a copy of the transcript
As part of the Cleveland Clinic’s Neurological Institute, the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis offers state-of-the-art resources to provide the most advanced specialized care, supported by an extensive program of research and education. The Mellen Center is the largest and most comprehensive program for MS care and research worldwide, managing more than 20,000 patient visits every year. Basic and clinical research conducted at the Cleveland Clinic sheds new light on MS every year.
The center’s mission statement is guided by these fundamental principles:
- To provide you and your family with compassionate, comprehensive, innovative and technologically advanced care of the highest quality.
- To conduct clinical and basic research of national and international distinction.
- To educate clinicians, academicians, investigators and allied health care providers about MS and to promote the education of our patients, their families and the general public about the disease.
Please Note: The Mellen Center does not provide Remote Medical Second Opinions.
News from the Mellen Center
H1N1: Should I get the shot?
Vaccines should be available in October of 2009 against the H1N1 virus. The National MS Society has issued a statement about influenza vaccines, including the H1N1 influenza vaccine, which is available at:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=147
To summarize, persons with MS may have a routine injection flu shot, as that influenza vaccine preparation has been shown to be safe in MS patients.
Persons with MS should avoid the FluMist Intranasal® vaccine, which is a live, weakened vaccine, as people with MS may be more susceptible to an infection or activation of their MS, even with a weakened virus.
When H1NI vaccine becomes available, it will initially be a killed virus, which is expected to be safe for persons with MS. Initially it will be offered to certain groups in the community which include pregnant females, persons living with or caring for infants less than 6 months of age, health care and emergency services personnel, children and young adults age 6 months to 24 years, and persons with medical conditions making them more likely to get influenza related complications.
If you have had recent steroid treatment or immune suppressing medication, check with your health care provider about waiting a few weeks after such treatments before getting vaccinated.
You should check with your health care provider if there are further questions about the standard influenza and H1N1 vaccination.
Fight MS... on a Bike
Support MS research and local MS patients by joining Cleveland Clinic’s Team Mellen in riding in the “Bike MS: Pedal to the Point." The ride (not a race) is a weekend bicycle-riding fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. This year's ride is August 15-16, with 30-, 75-, and 150-mile options. The ride winds through beautiful farm country, with fully outfitted rest stops every 7-10 miles.
Team Mellen is named after our own Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, the largest MS center in the country. Last year Team Mellen had 65 riders and raised $43,000 for MS research and patient care, much of which stayed in the immediate Cleveland area. Team Mellen is open to the entire Cleveland Clinic community – employees, family, and friends – and riders of all abilities.
If you want to get fit and join the fight against MS, then join Team Mellen! For further information contact team co-captains Jen Hartman, PA (hartmaj4@ccf.org) or Robert Fox, MD.
New Urgent Clinic Day at the Mellen Center
A new urgent clinic was recently started at the Mellen Center. This Urgent Clinic was established to meet the needs of current Mellen Center patients (not new patients) who are having severe new symptoms and need to be seen in a timely fashion. The Urgent Clinic occurs one day per week (WED 8 am to 4 pm). Please call the general appointment line if you are a Mellen Center patient and are having new symptoms that require being seen as soon as possible. Appointment line: 216.445.7132 or toll free: 800.223.2273 ext 5-7132
The urgent clinic is run by Claire Hara-Cleaver, RN, MSN, Neurological Nurse Practitioner. Ms. Hara-Cleaver has been at the Mellen Center for ten years. All attempts are made to treat the patients as expeditiously as possible. For example if they are having an MS relapse and need steroid treatment, the patient might receive steroids in the Mellen Center Treatment Room or through home health care. A staff neurologist from the Mellen Center is always available to staff the visit if needed. The feed-back from patients has been quite positive as they are seen and treated effectively and expeditiously.
