• ABx

    Antibiotic/Antibiotic treatment

  • ACR

    American College of Rheumatology

  • Anti-depressant

  • ADA

    Americans with Disabilities Act

  • ADD

    An acronym for Attention Deficit Disorder, an inability to control behavior due to difficulty in processing neural stimuli, leading to inattention, disorganization and difficulty completing tasks. More information available at MedlinePlus and Wikipedia.

  • ADHD

    An acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a neurobehavioral developmental disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity, as well as forgetfulness, poor impulse control or impulsivity, and distractibility. More information available at MedlinePlus and Wikipedia.

  • AS

    Ankylosing Spondylitis

  • BiPAP

    An acronym for "Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure", a non-invasive breathing device which provides two levels of pressure: one for inhalation (IPAP) and a lower pressure during exhalation (EPAP). It is used to help people with breathing difficulties including sleep apnea, particularly at night.

  • Bipolar

    Bipolar disorder is a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated mood, clinically referred to as mania. More information available at MedlinePlus and Wikipedia.

  • BMI

    Body Mass Index

  • BP

    Blood Pressure

  • BTW

    By the Way

  • Bulbar

    The "bulbar region" means the mouth/throat region. It is named because the muscles in this area are innervated by the corticobulbar tract which originates in the surface of the brain (cortex) and descends through the brainstem (known historically as the "bulb").

    Symptoms in the bulbar region can affect speech and swallowing and are often diagnosed either by a neurologist or a speech and language pathologist/therapist.

  • CALS

    Caregiver for someone with ALS

  • CareTeam

    CareTeam members are people you invite to join the community such as caregivers, doctors, therapists, and friends who help you manage your disease.

  • CBT

    An acronym for Cognitive behavioral therapy, a psychotherapy based on modifying cognitions, assumptions, beliefs and behaviors, with the aim of influencing disturbed emotions. More information available at Wikipedia.

  • CD4 Count

    The CD4 count refers to the CD4+ T-lymphocyte count. A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell in the immune system. The CD4+ T-lymphocyte is the primary target for HIV infection. As the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes decreases, the risk and severity of infections and cancers increases. Current recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are that antiretroviral therapy should be considered for all persons with CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts of less than 500/uL, and preventive treatment against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), the most common serious opportunistic infection diagnosed in men and women with AIDS, is recommended for all persons with CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts of less than 200/uL and for persons who have had prior episodes of PCP. Full details of the current CDC recommendations are found at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00018871.htm

  • CFS/CFIDS

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Chronic Fatigue (and) Immune Dysfunction Syndrome

  • CMP

    Chronic Myofascial Pain

  • CMV

    Cytomegalovirus (aka HHV-5)

  • CNS

    Central Nervous System

  • COPD

    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

  • CPAP

    An acronym for "Continuous Positive Airway Pressure", a non-invasive machine which helps people with breathing difficulties such as sleep apnoea, particularly at night.

  • CR

    An abbreviation at the end of a drug name that means "Controlled Release" or "Continuous Release". Examples include Sinemet CR, a drug used in Parkinson's that releases its active substance over a longer time period than the standard pill.

  • CRABs

    Refers to four of the drugs available to treat Multiple Sclerosis: Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron. (A newer drug not included in this commonly used abbreviation is Tysabri.)

  • CRPS

    Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (aka RSD)

  • CT

    Computed Topography, or CAT Scan. A noninvasive, painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

  • CT (or CAT scan)

    Computed Topography, or CAT Scan. A noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

  • CTS

    Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • DDD

    Degenerative Disc Disease

  • DH

    Dear Hubby/Husband (or Darn Hubby if that be the context)

  • DJD

    Degenerative Joint Disease

  • DMD

    Disease modifiying drug. Disease modifying drugs are a group of compounds which may alter the progression of MS. They have been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of relapses and slow the development of disability in some people. Some of the currenty available Disease Modifying Drugs include:

  • DO

    Doctor of Osteopathy

  • DSM-IV

    Diagnostic & Statistical Manual 4th edition, an American handbook for mental health professionals that lists different categories of mental disorders and the criteria for diagnosing them, according to the publishing organization the American Psychiatric Association. It is used worldwide by clinicians and researchers as well as insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and policy makers. More information available at Wikipedia.

  • Dx

    Diagnosis

  • ECT

    An acronym for electroconvulsive therapy, a controversial psychiatric treatment in which seizures are electrically induced in anesthetized patients for therapeutic effect. This treatment is most often used in severe depression. More information available at MedlinePlus and Wikipedia.

  • ED

    Erectile dysfunction

  • EEG

    Electroencephalogram, a study of electrical current within the brain.

  • EMG

    Electromyography. A technique for evaluating and recording physiologic properties of muscles at rest and while contracting.

  • Exacerbation

    An increase in the severity of symptoms; one or more symptoms may come and go in succession or together. MS exacerbations usually involve an increase in previous symptoms, lasting weeks or months. Acute attacks are usually followed by complete or partial remission (the abatement or diminution of symptoms).

  • FDA

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the federal agency responsible for ensuring that foods are safe, wholesome and sanitary; human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices are safe and effective; cosmetics are safe; and electronic products that emit radiation are safe. FDA also ensures that these products are honestly, accurately and informatively represented to the public. For more information about the FDA go to http://www.fda.gov/default.htm 

  • FM

    Fibromyalgia

  • FMLA

    Family and Medical Leave Act (U.S.)

  • FMRS

    Fibromyalgia Rating Scale. The FMRS is a measure developed by PatientsLikeMe for tracking pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance related to fibromyalgia. Replaced by the PFRS scale in 2009.

  • Footdrop

    Impaired or absent voluntary dorsiflexion of the foot. The normal heel-toe pattern of walking  is disturbed, causing the toes to touch the ground before the heel, resulting in tripping and loss of balance.

  • FRS

    Functional Rating Scale. A self-report version of the ALS functional rating scale

  • FVC

    Forced Vital Capacity. A measure of breathing function

  • FYI

    For your Information

  • GAD

    General Anxiety Disorder, an anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry about everyday things, which is disproportionate to the actual source of worry. More information available at MedlinePlus and Wikipedia.

  • GERD

    Gastoresophageal Reflux Disease (known as GORD in Europe)

  • GI

    Gastrointestinal

  • HA

    Headache

  • HGH

    Hormone Replacement Therapy

  • HTLV

    Human T-Lymphotropic Virus

  • IBD

    Inflammatory Bowel Disease

  • IBS

    Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  • IMHO

    In My Humble Opinion

  • IMO

    In My Opinion

  • IViG

    IViG is an acronym for "Intravenous Immunoglobulin", a drug used in the treatment of immune conditions such as multifocal motor neuropathy or myaesthenia gravis. It is sometimes used during the diagnostic process of ALS in order to rule out mimic conditions.

  • IVSM

    Solumedrol is a common steroid administered intravenously for MS flare-ups.

  • LDN

    Low-Dose Naltrexone

  • LMAO

    Laughing my Ass off

  • LOL

    Laughing Out Loud; Lots Of Laughs

  • LP

    Lumbar puncture - a diagnostic and at times therapeutic procedure that is performed in order to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid

  • LTD

    Long Term Disability

  • MAOI

    MonoAmine Oxidase Inhibitor. A type of antidepressant drug which prevents the breakdown of dopamine. It is also used in Parkinson's disease as the drug selegiline, where in combination with an L-dopa containing drug such as Sinemet, it helps boost the latter's efficacy.

  • MCS

    Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

  • MD

    Doctor of Medicine

  • MDD

    Major depressive disorder, also called clinical depression, is a common psychiatric disorder, characterized by a pervasive low mood, loss of interest in usual activities and diminished ability to experience pleasure. More information available at MedlinePlus and Wikipedia.

  • ME

    Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

  • MG

    Myasthenia Gravis

  • MPS

    Myofascial Pain Syndrome

  • MRI

    Magnetic Resonance Imagery A medical imaging technique primarily used in Radiology to visualize the structure and function of the body. It provides detailed images of the body in any plane.

  • MS

    Multiple sclerosis, a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. 

  • MSRS

    Multiple Sclerosis Rating Scale. A measure developed by PatientsLikeMe to track MS progression

  • MVPS

    Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome

  • NCS

    Nerve Conduction Study. A test commonly used to evaluate the function, especially the ability of electrical conduction, of the motor and sensory nerves of the human body.

  • Neuro

    Neurologist

  • NGF

    Nerve Growth Factor

  • NGT

    NGT or "NG Tube" is short for "Naso-Gastric Tube", a narrow tube which is threaded through the nostril, down the throat, and into the stomach to allow tube feeding for short periods. Longer-term feeding options include PEG or RIG, which involve insertion of a feeding tube directly into the stomach.

  • NIV

    An acronym for "Non-Invasive Ventilation"; a machine which can be used to help people with breathing difficulties using a mask rather than a surgical procedure (tracheotomy).

  • NMO

    Neuromyelitis Optica

  • OCD

    An acronym for obsessive-compulsive disorder, an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). More information available at MedlinePlus and Wikipedia.

  • ON (Optic neuritis)

    Optic neuritis can be a symptom of MS. It is an inflammation of the optic nerve; it is classified as either intraocular, affecting the part of the nerve within the eyeball, or retrobulbar, affecting the portion behind the eyeball.

  • OT

    Off topic

  • OTC

    Over the counter

  • PALS

    Person with ALS

  • PCP

    Primary care physician

  • PDRS

    Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. A self-report version of sections I and II of the UPDRS clinical scale

  • PEG

    An acronym for "Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy", a surgical procedure to insert a feeding tube into the stomach by means of a tube inserted down the throat (endoscope) to guide the surgeon.

  • Phase

    Clinical trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed.

  • Phase I

    Phase I trials are the first part of a medical trial to use human subjects, as opposed to animals in the pre-clinical stage. This phase includes trials designed to assess the safety (pharmacovigilance), tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of a drug and is not intended to test whether the drug does what it's supposed to do. Most Phase I trials take place in healthy volunteers as opposed to people with the condition to be treated.

  • Phase II

    Phase II clinical trials are the first stage of drug development designed to test efficacy and tolerability in patients and at the dosage at which the drug will probably be used clinically. Most drugs that fail clinical trials do so at this stage, usually due to toxicity or adverse events.

  • Phase III

    Phase III clinical trials are the large, expensive studies used to determine a drug's efficacy compared either to an inert (but identical-looking) pill called a placebo. Because the expectations of doctors and patients can affect outcomes, both are "blinded" as to whether each participant is receiving the drug or the placebo. Outcome measures vary according to the nature of the disease but may include survival, functional outcome, and/or quality of life.

  • PLM

    PatientsLikeMe

  • PM

    Private message

  • PPMS

    Primary progressive MS

  • PRMS

    Progressive relapsing MS, a rare type of MS that shows disease progression (increased disability) from onset, but with clear, acute relapses, with or without full recovery after each relapse.

  • PTSD

    An acronym for post traumatic stress disorder, an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat. More information available at MedlinePlus and Wikipedia.

  • PWMS

    Person with MS

  • PWP

    Person with Parkinson's

  • Remission

    A decrease in the severity or number of MS symptoms and signs, or their temporary disappearance.

  • RIG

    An acronym for "Radiologically Inserted Gastrostomy", a procedure whereby the stomach is inflated with air whilst a surgeon inserts the feeding tube whilst using a radiological camera to ensure proper placement. RIG is a newer technique than the older PEG system and can be performed quickly and with only local anaesthetic.

  • RRMS

    Relapsing-remitting MS,  a clinical phase having distinct relapses (also called acute attacks or exacerbations), with either full recovery (no disability), or partial recovery and lasting disability. There is no visible disease progression (worsening) between attacks; but  stable  periods, span and mask, the continuing subclinical disease process.

  • Rx

    Prescription

  • SAD

    Seasonal affective disorder is a mood disorder, whose sufferers experience normal mental health throughout most of the year, but experience depressive symptoms in the winter. More information available at MedlinePlus and Wikipedia.

  • SE

    Side effect.

  • Side Effect

    A side effect is a problem that occurs when a treatment goes beyond the desired effect or a problem that occurs in addition to the desired therapeutic effect.  Side effects are also called adverse effects. 

  • SNRI

    Serotonin - Noradregernic Reuptake Inhibitor, a class of antidepressant used in the treatment of clinical depression and other affective disorders. They act upon two neurotransmitters in the brain that are known to play an important part in mood, namely, serotonin and norepinephrine. More information available at Wikipedia.

  • SOD1

    Superoxide dismutase or "SOD1" is an enzyme which clears up free radicals in cells. A small number of patients with ALS (~2%) have a mutation in the part of their DNA that encodes for SOD1, thought to be the cause of their ALS. The most widely used animal model of ALS relies upon mice who do not have the ability to produce SOD1.

  • SPMS

    Secondary progressive MS - MS that begins with a pattern of clear-cut relapses and recovery, but   becomes steadily progressive over time with continued worsening between occasional acute attacks.

  • SR

    Sustained Release. A formulation of a tablet which releases its active agent slower than the normal pill. Examples include Effexor SR (an antidepressant).

  • SSRI

    Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitor; a class of antidepressant drug which maintains higher levels of the mood-affecting neurotransmitter serotonin. Examples of SSRI's include paroxetine (Seroxat) and Fluoxetine (Prozac).  This class of antidepressants is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, and some personality disorders. More information available at Wikipedia.

  • Stars

    Profile stars refer to Community Leadership Ratings, and are explained in some detail here.

  • Stickman

    Your patient representation or icon that appears in your profile and on forum posts

  • Sx

    Sx may be used as an abbreviation for the word Symptom.

  • Symptom

    A symptom is any subjective evidence of an illness or disease. Anxiety, lower back pain and fatigue are all symptoms. They are sensations only the patient can perceive. In contrast, a sign is objective evidence of disease. A bloody nose is a sign. It is evident to the patient, doctor, nurse and other observers.

  • Tx

    Treatment

  • W/C

    Wheelchair