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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Could my 4th attack been avoided?
Answered by
Lama Chahine, MD - Neurology
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland - OH
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Could my 4th attack been avoided?
by Priscilla83, Oct 29, 2009 08:39AM
I had 4 relapses within a year because I was not allowed to start Rebif treatment. I was taken off prednisolone pills end of July and had my most recent relapse at its peak early October. Since end of September, I had alread told my neurologist of increasing tightness and loss of sensation on my feet and body to the extent that I didnt feel when I stepped on broken glass or when I sat on a pair of pointed scissors. Now the main question is, could this 4th attack have been avoided if I was started on Rebif in August when my dr took me off prednisolone pills?
Doctor's Answer
by Lama Chahine, MD, Oct 31, 2009 09:52AM
, Oct 31, 2009 09:52AM
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
It is impossible for me, or anyone, to tell whether or not you would have had your attack had rebif been started earlier. Rebif, and other injectable MS medications (the interferons), reduce risk of relapse significantly, but not by 100%, meaning that even if someone is on a medication, they could still have a relapse, but their relapse risk is just less on the interferons. In general, it is important to be on some sort of disease-modifying agent (the interferons) to continue to reduce this risk of relapse. In the next year, some new oral medications will hopefully become available for MS.
Continued followup with your neurologist for discussion of MS treatment options is recommended.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.
It is impossible for me, or anyone, to tell whether or not you would have had your attack had rebif been started earlier. Rebif, and other injectable MS medications (the interferons), reduce risk of relapse significantly, but not by 100%, meaning that even if someone is on a medication, they could still have a relapse, but their relapse risk is just less on the interferons. In general, it is important to be on some sort of disease-modifying agent (the interferons) to continue to reduce this risk of relapse. In the next year, some new oral medications will hopefully become available for MS.
Continued followup with your neurologist for discussion of MS treatment options is recommended.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.
Member Comments (2)
by Priscilla83, Oct 31, 2009 10:13PM
To: Lama Chahine
Thank you Dr for your response. So in conclusion for clarification purposes, the chances of this relapse could have been significantly reduced if interferon is used, is that right? It is not guaranteed I will not get a relapse but there is a possibility it may not have happened or at least not so soon.
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