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Treatments for MS
We recently had a question about treatments for MS. Because it's a very valid concern for many MSers, we want to address it here.
Here is Nancy's question and my reply. Thank you, Nancy for a very good question. You can read the entire post here, if you'd like.
Q: Misunderstood
I usually talk to those I know about my MS. I am not medicated. They say I should try using something at least, but I am scared. Is it necessary? Just trying this alone is out of character.
Nancy
A: It's Up To You
Hi Nancy,
It's really up to you what kind of treatment you decide to use, if any. You need to feel comfortable with whatever that treatment is. If you aren't, then you'll probably be stressed out about it, or you'll find the first excuse to discontinue it.
One way to figure out if you want to try something is to talk to someone who's taken the treatments you are thinking about. You can also read about others experiences with a particular medication or treatment. Another way to find out about them is by going to a support group and asking questions.
If that's hard, try this. Call the company of the treatment you are considering. See if they have peer counselors or people who have used the treatment before and who are willing to talk to you about their experiences with it.
Akrista
Another possibility, is to try looking up the treatment on You Tube. Search for videos about the treatments you'd like to know about and watch them. Watch several. You should be able to get an overview of the pros and cons. You can even ask the person questions in the comment section.
Don't be afraid to try a few of the alternative treatments for MS, as well. I know it's hard to know if something is really effective, but if you don't try, you'll never know. Most times, the alternatives are a little less invasive, and if they work for you, then at least you will.
In the end, it's all up to you. Try to feel comfortable with the decision you make. And you may eventually decide to try something. But always know if after you've given it what you feel is a fair trial, and it doesn't work for you, you can always stop.
Cir tried all four of the CRAB (Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, Betaseron) treatments for MS. Ultimately, he started out with Avonex and ended up with Copaxone. He even stopped using Copaxone more than once, but always came back. He felt that it was the only one that really made a difference in the long run.
For others, only the Avonex worked for them. But always know that it's your choice. Think of everyone else's choices as suggestions for you to consider - even the doctors. Think about them and learn about them, then make an informed decision.
It's up to you.
Update of Treatments for MS
UPdate: I recently found that this page had an unavailable video and decided to see if I could find something more recent to replace it. Well I did. Below is a YouTube channel with a wealth of information on just about everything to do with MS - Dr. Aaron Boster. Here is the description of his page on YouTube:
- Thanks for learning about MS with me, Aaron Boster MD. I'm the founder of the Boster Center for Multiple Sclerosis, where we care for families impacted by MS. Ask us about MS clinical trials! www.BosterMS.com or call 614-304-3444 to schedule!
So if you're anywhere near the Columbus, OH area, maybe you can check him out.
His channel contains so much information, from, the best medications, the safest medications, the basics, nutrition, mood, spasticity, pain......,, I could go on and on. You just have to check it out for yourself. I will be adding links to his videos on other pages where appropriate.
In the meantime, check out the videos below to listen to his playlist on "How to Choose a Disease Modifying Therapy". I've also added a link to another of his playlists - "Navigating the Complex World of MS Medications".
Dr. Boster is very thorough in his explanations and I'm sure you will learn much about MS, especially if you or someone you love has been newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Treatments for MS - videos
I hope the above videos have been helpful and I also hope that you have found something helpful in our musings on Life in Spite of MS. MS is such an enigmatic disease, especially when you learn that it is different for everyone who develops it. When you see several people in a room with MS, they will have some things in common, however, they may have many things that are extremely different.
And now that there are so many choices available to treat multiple sclerosis, the outcomes of each persons disease progression is different as well. I'm so happy that there are so many treatments out there and they are getting better at modifying the disease so that many MSers can live years without experiencing worsening symptoms or relapses.
I'm even becoming more hopeful that an actual cure might soon become available. That would be the ultimate result of all the research that has been going on over the last several years. I would love if no one had to every go through with the uncertainty of living with an auto immune disease like MS the way Cir has since his diagnosis in 1992.
So fingers crossed, (and arms, legs, and toes), that we will soon be learning of a way that multiple sclerosis can be totally eliminated from the list of diseases people have to face, along with many other similar autoimmune diseases.
Subscribe to Dr Aaron Boster's YouTube channel, to peruse all of his content. Who knows, we may come across one another at one of his Live events. :)
Go from Treatments for MS back to MS Medications
Dear Friends,
"Life in Spite of MS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We're also part of the Ebay Partner Network, another affiliate program."
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Sincerely,
Cir & Akrista
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