Premier Neurology

18/06/2025

14/04/2025

These events are always great. I'm honored to be an invited speaker for the program. Registration is required. Hoping to see many of you there!

Greenville SC! We are coming your way! Sign up today and save your spot for this upcoming MS education program happening in . Join Neurologist, Dr. Mary Hughes alongside Adaptive Yoga Specialist Bri Rhea who will be talking all things .
Stay up to date and connect with others on May 3rd in Greenville 🙌🏼 Link https://msviewsandnews.org/event/understanding-complex-ms-treatment-options-pain-more/

23/02/2025

❓Did you know Premier Neurology participates in cutting-edge neurological research in ?

Dr. Hughes has a long history of being involved in research through clinical trials, leading to new FDA approvals for critical medicines and treatment for our patients.

🧠 With the support of our amazing Research Team (Melissa, Mel, & Federica), we're now enrolling participants for seven clinical trials focused on relapsing and progressive MS.

If you're living with any of these disorders and would like to participate, email us at research@premier-neuro.com or call us at 864-654-0880 to learn more!

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21/02/2025

For many people living with neurological disorders, the first barrier to intimacy is frequently mental.

After all, the biggest s*xual organ is the brain!

Reading romance novels can be helpful for "getting in the mood!"

Here's a : Mel, one of our Research Study Coordinators, is a USA Today best selling author of romance novels.

Mel writes under MJ Carnal (Carnal is her actual maiden name) and her books can be found on Amazon or at the link below.

Grab one today and give your brain a little saucy spark...

🔗 https://a.co/d/3bBqg7A

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19/02/2025

Fight MS, support the Premier Neurology team, AND get an amazing new t-shirt!

The Premier team is participating in the Upstate this March, raising funds for research and treatment.

You can support us by ordering your "KEEP S'MYELIN" t-shirt, with all proceeds going to Walk MS.

Our very own Kayla designed the logo and the shirts are available through the link in our bio until March 10th.

🙌 Thank you for your support as we continue to fight for and !

👉👉 🔗 https://bit.ly/41lrYMq

14/02/2025

REAL (ADULT) TALK: Sexual and intimacy difficulties are common for people living with .

This Valentine's Day, let's talk about what to do about it.

Dr. Hughes knows how important s*xuality is to our patients' overall wellness. In 2009, she published an article in the International Journal of MS Care on developing a group intervention to address increasing the education surrounding intimacy issues for people living with MS (reference in comment).

WHAT TO KNOW: MS can interfere with your s*xual drive by impacting the nerve pathways that control s*xual responses, or because of other symptoms, like low mood, fatigue, and bladder control issues.

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE INTIMACY & YOUR S*XUAL HEALTH?

💜 STRETCH BEFORE S*X - Up to 70% of those with MS experience spasticity, creating stiffness or spasms. Five minutes of gentle stretching before s*x will help you be more limber and reduce the potential for spasms.

💜 PLAN AROUND YOUR ENERGY - Identify when you have the most energy in your day, then give yourself permission to enjoy s*x and intimacy when you're at your best. Let your partner know so you can both be on the same page.

💜 START TALKING - Have an open conversation with your doctor about s*x and the issues you're dealing with. Constipation, bladder control, or SSRIs for depression can all impact your mental and physical ability to enjoy s*x. Talk with your care team so they can investigate medications or treatments that can help reduce your symptoms.

💜 TRY BODY MAPPING - Body mapping (or sensate focusing) is an easy technique to help increase intimacy and s*xual pleasure on your own or with a partner. Make a simple drawing of your body and then spend 15 minutes touching different areas from head to toe. Rate from 1-5 how each area feels, with 5 being AMAZING. Now you have a map you can share with your partner, too.

In addition to the tips above, we've included two amazing resources in the first comment from and Aaron Boster, MD.

A healthy s*x life requires creativity and is an opportunity to use YOUR imagination!

13/02/2025

When you meet Keri in our Infusion Center, you might notice a slight accent.

That's because she is originally from New Zealand and grew up in Arkansas before heading to the .

With 15 years of experience as a Registered Nurse in emergency rooms and as a traveling nurse, Keri brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role as the lead in our Infusion Center.

In addition to quickly becoming Bear's new best friend (she shared her Hardee's sausage biscuit with him!), Keri is a happily married mom of two that loves spending time with her grandchildren when she's not studying for her MSN in Education.

We're excited to have her join us and can't wait for you to meet her.

Welcome to the Premier team, Keri!

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11/02/2025

📚Love reading, audiobooks, AND free things?

This is for you.

Thanks to our teammate, Tammy, we've discovered our new favorite free app and had to share.

The Libby app allows you to virtually check out up to 10 digital books, audiobooks, and magazines on your phone, Kindle, tablet, or computer -- AND THEY'RE ALL FREE.

The app ties into your library card, is free to use, and has no subscription or late fees.

We're finding it the perfect companion to keep our brains engaged while getting in our exercises and stretches.

Here's how to use it:
💡 Download the Libby app from Apple store, Google Play, or Amazon Appstore
💡 Find your library and sign in with your library card
💡 Search for a title, author, or series OR tap "Library" to browse the catalog
💡 Tap "Borrow" on the items you'd like or place them on hold for when they're available

Don't have a library card, yet? Bring your ID and proof of address (utility bill, tax notice, lease, etc.) to your library to apply.

❓What apps are you using that you love? Share below and help others!

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07/02/2025

We think it's fair to say our Medical Assistant, Kayla, REALLY understands the importance of staying hydrated.

You'll always see her with a Stanley cup of water at the office. And everyday, she brings in a new one from her collection, with their own little coordinated straws and cup holders.

While we might joke with her about her vast collection, she's smart to sip water all day.

Here's why:

💧Hydration has been shown to improve physical performance, including maintaining motivation and fatigue.

💧Studies show even mild dehydration can impair brain function, memory, and mood.

💧Headaches and migraines can be triggered by dehydration.

💧Water can increase satiety and boost your metabolic rate.

You don't have to have a Stanley cup collection like Kayla to increase your water intake and reap the benefits. Start with drinking a large glass in the morning when you first wake up to get you started, then keep a bottle near you while you're working to visually prompt you to take a sip.

❓Do you have tips you use to stay hydrated? Share them below and help others do the same!

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04/02/2025

Knowing how to support someone you love with a chronic illness can be tough.

We're here to help!

For today's , Dr. Hughes is sharing 5 simple ways to show your friend or loved one that you're there and have their back.

💡 BE A BODY DOUBLE
Body doubling is when you perform a task with someone, and it's a great low-key way to spend time together. Offer to run errands with them, such as going to the grocery store or getting their oil changed.

💡 COOK TOGETHER
Cooking can be an overwhelming task for someone with an illness. They might struggle with standing too long or gripping cooking utensils. Grab a bottle of wine, turn on some music, and cook together to reduce the stress for you both while you connect.

💡 SEND A SIMPLE CARD
If your loved one is far away, it can be hard to find ways to show your support. In today's world of emails and texts, a funny card with a handwritten note is a treasure to receive and lets them know you're thinking of them.

💡 GO TO AN APPOINTMENT
Living with an ongoing medical issue can mean an endless stream of doctor appointments. Having a friend go with you makes it more enjoyable and gives you a chance to learn more about what's going on so you stay connected through their journey.

💡 ASK WHAT KIND OF FRIEND THEY NEED YOU TO BE THAT DAY
Life is different every day with a chronic disorder. Ask your loved one, "What kind of friend do you need today? Problem-solver, loving ear, or distractor?"

This gives them space to feel safe being honest with what they need and takes the stress off of you trying to decode how to be helpful.

Have you found other ways to show support? Share below and help others! ⬇️

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31/01/2025

🌎 Where in the world is... Dr. Hughes and our new Clinical Research Coordinator, Mel?

They're in Dallas learning about an exciting new clinical trial to bring to our patients. We'll be sharing more news soon, so be sure to follow us for updates!

You can also check out http://trials.gov to learn more about the Oak Study.

🌳 : Did you know the oak tree has been revered for centuries for its strength and resiliency, with fossil records going back 30 million years for this beautiful tree?

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