Chapter 5 discussed creating a management team. As part of your management plan, you'll have to identify which health professionals will best suit your strategy to address symptoms. Symptom management is essential to your care.

Rehabilitation Specialists

Whether you're looking to strengthen your muscles, improve your gait, or get help with occupational difficulties, these specialists have all kinds of strategies in tow to help you improve the quality of your life. From occupational and vocational specialists to physical therapists, they've got the tools to get you exercising or increase your performance at work. Take a look at your management plan to identify your symptoms or concerns and then page back to Chapter 5 to identify a specialist who can address the issue. Always discuss your ideas with your neurologist first.

Mental Health Professionals

Managing the emotional effects of chronic illness is just as important as taking care of the physical symptoms. It's also important to identify which symptoms are simply part of the ups and downs of MS and which may be more pernicious. Depression, for example, is common in MS and might be more pervasive than simply having the blues.

A good therapist can guide you through the years, first helping you to tackle your diagnosis, for example, and then move on to other issues that may arise, such as job difficulties or family matters. A psychiatrist who is familiar with your psychological health is also imperative if depression is an issue for you. He may prescribe medications that can help you keep depression in check. Remember that depression isn't “failure to cope” but may be an indication something is amiss with the chemistry of your brain.

Social workers can help you identify your needs, such as transportation services, meals, and other community services, so be sure to keep them in mind as part of your overall management plan. A good plan is one in which you are vigilant in identifying your needs.

Primary Care Physicians

If you're not using your general medical doctor to manage your MS, be sure you see her on a regular basis for routine checkups and physicals. Don't forget that your general health is extremely important. Not everything that affects you physically is a result of MS; you'll still get colds and toothaches like everybody else.

In fact, as part of your management plan, you may want to turn over a new leaf when it comes to establishing good health habits. You want to be as strong and as healthy as possible, so if changing your diet or getting to the gym has been on your list, now would be a good time to make those changes. In addition to seeing your doctor regularly, schedule dentist appointments every six months. Consult a registered dietitian for tips on healthy eating. Other professionals, such as massage therapists, can also help you to maintain good health.

Creating a management plan is a way of charting your course. Learning to manage the disease is an ongoing process, but consistently taking stock of your condition and then identifying your needs will help you gain a measure of control and keep you on top of things from the get-go.