Baylor Scott & White Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center Dallas

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Statement from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society regarding COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID‐ 19), which causes a respiratory disease. This is a rapidly evolving situation and questions regarding the use of MS disease modifying therapies during this outbreak are being raised.

The National MS Society’s National Medical Advisory Committee recommends the following:

People with MS should follow CDC guidelines and these additional recommendations for people at risk for serious illnesses from COVID‐19.
People with MS should continue disease modifying therapies (DMTs) and discuss specific risks with their MS healthcare provider prior to stopping a DMT.
Before starting a cell depleting DMT or a DMT that carries warnings of potentially severe increase in disability after stopping**, people with MS and their MS healthcare providers should consider specific risks (e.g. age, comorbid health conditions, location) and benefits.

These recommendations are the expert opinion of the National Medical Advisory Committee and are based on their clinical experience and assessment of the limited data available regarding COVID‐19 and MS DMTs. They have been endorsed by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) and members of the MS Coalition. We are continuing to monitor this quickly evolving situation and these recommendations may be modified as more data becomes available.

** DMTs with a warning of potentially severe increase in disability after stopping include: Gilenya and Tysabri

Source: National MS Society. Updated March 16, 2020.

A designated National MS Society Center for comprehensive care

Baylor Scott & White Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center is part of the National MS Society and offers a detailed program for the evaluation and treatment of multiple sclerosis. Annette F. Okai, MD, manages all stages of multiple sclerosis, and her care philosophy includes using a multidisciplinary approach to patient management.

Dr. Okai focuses on addressing the physical, emotional, cognitive and rehabilitation needs of the multiple sclerosis (MS) patient and their family. We offer a comprehensive program for the evaluation and treatment of MS that includes using several strategies to determine if a patient meets the long-established criteria for a diagnosis of MS and ruling out other possible causes of patient symptoms.

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Tools & Resources

Our services are designed with you in mind so managing your healthcare needs is as simple as possible.

Patient Forms
Appointment Information
MyBSWHealth
Pay Your Bill
Financial Assistance
Accepted Insurance

Patient Forms

To ensure that your visit to our office is as convenient and efficient as possible, we are pleased to offer our registration forms online. The patient registration form may be completed electronically and printed for better legibility or completed manually.

New Patient Registration Forms

Authorization Forms

We do not release your medical information without your authorization.

Appointment Information

Making an Appointment

On your first visit, we will begin a permanent record. Please bring any medications you are taking, so that we may accurately determine the dosage and frequency. We will ask you to complete a medical history and registration form. Please bring your insurance card and try to arrive at least 30 minutes early for your first visit. If you have been under the care of another doctor, we may ask your permission to transfer some of your records.

We have three appointment categories that take up varying amounts of time:

New patient visits—Plan on spending one hour including check-in time, filling out forms and the actual physician visit.
Follow-up exams—30 minutes
Sick visits—Varies depending on your symptoms, but plan on at least 30 minutes.

Canceling an Appointment

Our appointments are confirmed by an automated service. Please listen carefully and follow the prompts to either confirm or cancel your appointment. If you later decide that you are unable to keep your appointment or you are going to be late, please call your physician’s office as soon as possible. This courtesy allows us to be of service to other patients.

In Case of Emergency

If you have an urgent problem, you may call your physician’s office to schedule an appointment. However, if you feel it is a life threatening emergency, call 911. Do not delay by calling the doctor’s office first.

Before Your Appointment

Depending on the reason for your doctor’s visit, this checklist can help you prepare:

Gather documents to bring to your doctor’s visit:
Copies of any tests, X-rays, or medical histories relating to your medical problem
Completed medical history questionnaire
A list of all current medications taken on a regular basis, including over-the-counter and herbal medications
Review any special directions from your doctor about diet or medication restrictions prior to your appointment
Ask friends or relatives to accompany you if you wish. Depending on the type of appointment you have, you may need someone to take you home
Bring a sweater or coat. Our buildings are kept cool to protect and ensure the proper function of the medical equipment

During Your Appointment

To make the most of your appointment, be sure to ask your doctor any questions or express any concerns you have.

What to expect after your appointment:

If you need to see another doctor, we will make every effort to schedule additional tests and consultations at the earliest available time.
If you need to be hospitalized, we will coordinate admitting arrangements and provide the hospital with information prior to your arrival.

MyBSWHealth

MyBSWHealth is an online tool where you can communicate with your providers, schedule an appointment, access and manage your family’s health.

Pay Your Bill

We offer an easy, secure way to pay your HTPN bill online through MyBSWHealth.

Financial Assistance

At Baylor Scott & White Health, we want to be a resource for you and your family. Our team of financial counselors is here to help. We encourage you to speak to a member of our team at any time – before, during or after care is received.

View financial assistance options

Accepted Insurance

Baylor Scott & White has established agreements with several types of insurances in an effort to make sure your health needs are covered.

Find your insurance

Medical Services

Baylor Scott & White Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center offers expertise and treatment options conveniently located near you.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Care

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Care

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), 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. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another. Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving hope to people affected by the disease.

Modifying the Course of Disease

The BSW Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center considers many complex factors before deciding to initiate treatment with an interferon beta medication or glatiramer acetate. These treatments should be considered as soon as possible following a definite diagnosis of MS with active, relapsing disease, and may also be considered for selected patients with a first attack who are at high risk of MS.

Exacerbations

An exacerbation of MS is caused by inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) that causes damage to the myelin and slows or blocks the transmission of nerve impulses. To be a true exacerbation, the attack must last at least 24 hours and be separated from a previous exacerbation by at least 30 days.

However, most exacerbations last from a few days to several weeks or even months. Exacerbations can be mild or severe enough to interfere with a person’s ability to function at home and at work. Severe exacerbations are most commonly treated with high-dose corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation.

Physical and Occupational Therapy

Your doctor may recommend physical or occupational therapy to help you preserve your independence. You'll learn how to perform strengthening exercises and use devices that ease your daily tasks.

Mental Health

When your MS flares up, whether you've been recently diagnosed or are having a relapsing episode, you are likely to feel emotional changes, as well as physical symptoms. Even something like thinking about MS and your future can raise a host of questions and concerns. This is all perfectly normal. The BSW Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center offers resources to help you come to terms with your diagnosis.

Learn more about MS

News

Dr. Okai in the Waxahachie Daily Light News

Read article

US News & World Report: What to Look for in an MS Specialists. Dr. Okai weighs in.

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