Clear, Evidence-Based Information About Multiple Sclerosis
Why MS?
“A multicentric study from Ohio State University, the University of Michigan, and Emory University analyzing 2018-2019 Medicare beneficiaries and published Jan 8th in Neurology noted that 1 in 5 patients referred to a neurologist by their primary care physician waited 90 days or more to see the neurologist for their first visit. There was significant variability across states, with wait times ranging from as little as 1 day to as much as a year, and mean wait time was around 54 days.
Wait times were among the longest for MS patients in particular, with a mean wait time of 82.5 days. This is a crucial time period where these patients may end up in the hospital again with another flare up and end up having significant long term consequences in the form of enduring disability.
This study could not get information regarding the numerous people who were referred but ultimately never got to see a neurologist due to the challenges faced in scheduling a visit.”
Lin CC, Muthukumar L, Reynolds EL, Hill CE, Esper GJ, Callaghan BC. Wait Time to See a Neurologist After Referral Among Medicare Participants. Neurology. 2025 Feb 11;104(3):e210217. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000210217. Epub 2025 Jan 8. PMID: 39804477.
Our Goal
About the Founder:
Hi Everyone. My name is Mukund Chimalakonda, and I am a high school senior interested in neuroscience.
Many of my family members suffer from autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Alopecia Areata. I myself suffer from an autoimmune disorder affecting my skin. I have seen the physical and mental toll these disorders can put on patients and family. With my interest in Neuroscience and my personal connection to an autoimmune disorder, I decided to research and understand more about autoimmune diseases of the brain, especially Multiple Sclerosis.
As such, I wanted to create a resource that any patient, friend, or family member could access to easily understand this disorder. For patients, I wanted to provide a forum where they could get updated information about testing and treatment of this disease through direct expert opinion.
Fundraising opportunity:
Here is a link to a fundraiser for the Autoimmune Disease Society. The money is directly donated to the organization to help fund research, awareness programs, and advocacy for these many diseases. If interested, you can visit this link below to donate to the association. All support is greatly appreciated!
https://give.autoimmune.org/https-give-autoimmune-org-fundraiser-5783707-is_new-true