Pills May Not be the Answer for Some MS Sufferers
Multiple Sclerosis
hit me like a teen
hitting the fridge after school: fast and furious. I was sore,
dizzy, tingly, and very stiff from day one. Diagnosed with a
progressive form of MS, my options were
limited to treating my symptoms. Still, due to possible side
effects, I am very leery of drug therapy. After all, growing a
second head would not be helpful. My doctors assuaged my worries and
convinced me to treat my stiff muscles—better known as muscle spasticity.
Better to be stiff than toothless.
Muscle relaxants are one of the best methods
for treating spasticity. I have taken them before for a neck injury,
so I felt relatively safe trying them again. Following all
directions on the container, I began my treatment fully expecting that it may
take some time for my body to adjust to any short-term side effects. I
was expecting temporary fatigue, perhaps more dizziness...but bleeding gums? Clearly,
this side effect was one I was unwilling to tolerate. Therefore,
after taking muscle relaxants for a few months, I decided that I would rather
feel stiff.
Aren't there drugs to stop or slow relapses?
Unfortunately, even today most drugs, like Corticosteroids, only treat
relapsing remittent forms of MS. Many of these cause depression,
blurred vision, and weight gain. Since MS can cause all these
symptoms, why would I want to take a drug to double my chances? Worse
yet, some drugs harm the heart, liver, or cause brain infection. After
discussing these options with my doctors, I agreed that these drugs would not
benefit me.
Can any drug slow the disease?
Thankfully, for many, Beta interferon drugs appear to slow the disease. However,
it is most effective with relapsing remittent forms of MS and there are many
side effects, including liver damage. Novantrone
IV may
help those with progressive forms of MS, but it is also a preferred medication
to treat leukemia, not MS. I decided these are all side effects I am not
willing to accept.
Risk vs. Reward
Every month I read the latest literature about
new drugs and treatments for multiple sclerosis. I weigh the risks
versus potential rewards. I know that my brain is damaged from MS,
but to risk damaging other major organs to – perhaps – slow the disease is not
worth it to me, not yet anyway.
Perhaps in the future, I may try drug therapy
once it has tested for those with progressive MS. For now, I have
decided that it is better for me to continue with my preferred treatment
method, which includes eating healthily, exercising daily, maintaining my
weight, and laughing
generously. Happiness is the best medicine for me.
P. S.
It’s been 20+ years since I was diagnosed with
MS. Per the last MRI, the lesions on my brain have not spread. I
guess laughter works. Chocolate probably doesn’t hurt either.
What I Want You to
Know About Multiple Sclerosis
How Multiple
Sclerosis Helped me to be a Stronger, Better Person
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