more questions...

[meg321]

geez, another question...and realize that i know everyon  is different.  When you are finally diagnosed, what do the meds do for you.  I just get the feeling that it doesnt do much, that can't be true.

hugs, meg

[meg321]

Thank you, i sort thought as much, just got curious.  So we just mostly have to learn to live the best we with what we have. I dont quite understand relapses, but i am sure I will if i keep reading. I already take provigil for fatigue. And that is my worst symptom. The  lack of strength and the weakness, not sure if that can be helped.  Does anyone do physical and does it help?

hugs, meg

[Lulu54]

As it was explained to me, the DMD's are the front line defense on slowing new progression of the disease.  Where ever our body is going to end up with MS, ultimately we will reach that point, but the DMD's can slow or virtually  make the progression creep. Disease problems, such as the lesions and symptoms cannot be reversed by DMD's. I hope this makes sense.

As always,
Lulu

[Rena705]

Well...I am not sure if you are talking about the DMD's or the drugs used to help with symtoms directly such as the anti-seizure meds and such.

The Disease Modifying Drugs (DMD's) are shown to slow the progression of the disease which in turn would mean the slowing of lesions forming which would mean that you would have less relapses.

The other meds such as anti-seizure meds (which are used for nerve pain) and Amitriptyline (Elavil) which used to be used as an anti-depressant and is now used for pain control by providing a more stable sleep pattern and used to treat the symptoms of the MS.

This is if you are diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS.  If you are diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS I don't believe that there currently is a medication like the DMD's...they generally just try to treat the symptoms.

I am sure that someone else with more knowledge about the DMD's will pop in here and provide more information but that's it in a nutshell.  I am not currently on the DMD's although I have been diagnosed for 15 years...I am only on anti-seizure meds for seizure's and pain as well as Elavil for pain.

Hugs,

Rena