Open letter to Oprah

Dear Oprah,

I was concerned with inaccuracies in the Montel Williams MS (multiple sclerosis) story (08/04/09).

Dr. Oz makes a dramatic demonstration of damaged nerves using an insulated wire. While this made for good television, it was medically incorrect. He asserts that the wire is akin to the nerves in the arms. Loss of myelin (the sheath covering the nerves) in the arms is completely distinct from the loss of myelin in MS.

MS affects the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, optic nerves (nerves to the eyes) and spinal cord (except the lumbar or lower spine). Dr. Oz, on the other hand, demonstrated loss of myelin (demyelination) of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The cells that make the myelin in the CNS are called oligodendrocytes, while the cells that make myelin in the PNS are called Schwann cells.

This distinction is crucial in not confusing your viewers.

Loss of myelin in the PNS is usually termed "peripheral neuropathy." When viewers are given misleading information, it delays their care and may lead to accumulation of disability.

An example of this was when a 72 year-old man came to see me because he was told that he had "demyelination" and his friends were seeing me because of MS. This gentleman did not need to drive 4 hours to see me only to find out that he has demyelination of the PNS, in other words peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is completely distinct from MS and is treated completely differently.

This confusion further delayed his care.

I also took exception to the comments of MS being "life threatening." MS is a lifetime diagnosis (note, I do not use the word "disease") -- it is not "lifelong," since that makes life sound long and arduous. It is "lifetime" like the cable channel by that name -- even when the TV is off, it is still going on in the background and like the cable station, even when you are not facing it, you need to pay the bills. MS does not significantly affect longevity.

It frightened a lot of people (patients, carepartners, friends and family) for your show to suggest otherwise. Instead of frightening your viewers, they should be educated by your guests and you.

You will then be able to attain your potential for making a true difference in people's lives.

I invite you to continue your education regarding MS and other neurological diagnoses, by visiting: www.neurologique.org and I would be delighted to further explain to you and your viewers the patient-centered approach we take in MS care.

Thank you very much

- Dr. Daniel Kantor, MD BSE
Medical Director
Neurologique

info@neurologique.org
www.neurologique.org