Avonex + Copaxone + Alcohol

[shermay]

Hi All,

I was just wondering if anyone could give some advice please.

I have 2 friends in the UK who both have MS (they live together) and I am very concerned about them.  Every time I call them they have been smoking MJ or they are seriously drunk.

They take DMD's but they don't seem to care - they are both house bound and start drinking beer or whatever after lunch.  I spoke with them yesterday and they were so drunk I could barely understand them.

They told me that their Neuro said it was OK (somehow I don't believe them) , but I have known them for such a long time I just wanted to find out if they are harming themselves by doing this.

We all know the effects of drinking and how bad it is for you - but I wanted some sound advice from anyone who can help me with my friends.

I am due to go back to the UK to see friends and family (my friends also) shortly, but they are worrying me so much I just wanted some good advice on what to tell them.  Surely there must be s/e with taking DMD's and drinking in excess??

My female friend takes Copaxone and her partner takes he takes Avonex,

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Debs.

[Guitar_grrrl]

Hoo, boy, Debs....not easy!  I agree with everything said here.  Only they can make the decision to moderate or quit.  All I can do is offer cyber support.

If by evening they're too far gone, are there other friends you can visit?  Or even stay with as a back-up?  As with all our lives, MS or no, allow yourself to be flexible, and always have a "plan B".  Or as Douglas Adams said, "always know where your towel is" (_Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy_).

I'll be thinking of you, and have a great holiday, no matter what!

[shermay]

Hi Mary,

Thank you for your reply

This is so hard, they say that they 'feel' so much better with  beer or whatever, the pain in their legs go away and that it makes them feel so much positive,

I have checked on the internet, and I'm not getting many good responses.

I know that it is hard to watch friends down hill, but when I see them soon, I am going to walk into their apartment and show them that booze is NOT an ideal option.

I am staying with them for a week, and I will show them that we can manage without alcohol - I am a women who does indulge occasionally - but always in moderation.

If I can help them, I will do my best.  Yes they may say my MS is not as bad as theirs, but I fear for them.

My renewal will be to help them and to realize the potential dangers that they are putting them selves in.

It is so sad to see a couple go downhill:/

Thank you for your good thoughts for me too Mary.

Hugs,

Debs X

[shermay]

Thank you for your reply Ess.

I do realize that hey have to do this for themselves - I just wanted back up so I can print it off and show them what they are doing.

They are so happy and care free - but mixing this cocktail of drugs IMO is not a good thing to do either.

They do listen to me (when they are sober) and I will tell them this.

They are playing with fire here:/ and I feel so upset for them.

Debs x

[twopack]

Sorry to say Debs, I doubt you will be able to tell them anything they can hear.  MS does plenty enough damage to the CNS all by itself.  Add to that the clouded thought processes we all get from the prescription drugs used for symptom control.  Mix in ETOH and MJ to inhibit impulse control and create a pleasure reward.  Isolate this combination in a shrinking world that has accepted a life-is-over-once-you-have-ms mindset.  You are likely to encounter two very toxic and resistant brains inside your friends’ bodies.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't go prepared with facts, so continue to collect accurate information.  Ess is (of course) right on about the potential for liver damage.  Interferons can cause it.  Alcohol can cause it.  I bet mixing the two more than doubles the risk.  Alcohol shouldn't be mixed with Baclofen, antidepressants, pain medications, etc.  You are right -- It simply isn't helpful in the long run.

I doubt your friends will be overly concerned about any risks to their health because
1) Alcohol may be serving to decrease some of their parasthesia sensations (a treatment!)
2) Alcohol can be cheaper than prescriptions and you don't need a doctor to get it
3) Alcohol consumption preserves a link to social contacts (healthy peers and pre-MS self)
4) The brain is soon convinced it needs everything it is taking for daily survival
5) They may not believe there are any other options (no better life / no pain without drugs)
6) It is easy to give up on living with MS when your main support person agrees it's too hard
7) The thick filter of toxic brain haze will block the meaning of anything you say.

Maybe you can investigate potential referrals.   You don't have to have all the information yourself if you can point them to local people who have answers.

Perhaps the best thing you can offer is a vision of yourself as the most healthy, functional and hopeful Debs you can muster.  Maybe they can see it is still possible to have quality in life.  There's always the chance they will claim, No, their MS is worse than yours.  But maybe they will at least think about it along the line.

I'm going to hope the situation is not as bad as you fear.  I pray the difficulty in diagnosis and treatment of MS in the UK hasn't contributed to the physical and mental deterioration of this couple.  

For you Debs, I pray you will have the strength to confront and comfort as appropriate.  I hold good thoughts for a visit you can enjoy.  Don't lose yourself and your own needs in your desires for your friends.  May you find renewal for yourself on this trip.

Mary

[essdipity]

Hi, Debs. Being seriously drunk all the time is of course bad for everyone. Many body systems can be affected. So I doubt any doctor told them it is okay to drink themselves blotto, or to get stoned constantly either.

They should be monitored by their primary physician and have bloodwork done periodically, especially to check liver enzyme levels. For Anonex users this is really important, because Avonex and the other interferons can elevate liver enzymes. In fact, any medication that is metabolized through the liver can do this.

I'm in the midst of getting a handle on this myself, because I'm on Avonex and a couple other meds, and my enzymes are a bit elevated, have been for a long time. This is all for another story, however.

In your friends' case, perhaps they are depressed. I'm sure being housebound can do that to you. But the way they are handling it means they're probably well on the road to alcoholism. I don't know what you can do, except advise them to get regular checkups and bloodwork. If their habits are going to change, only they can bring that about.

ess