Questions

[MaryKitchens]

I am a 43 year old female and am dx with MS.  It started with "transverse myelytis" about 18 months ago and MS is now my diagnosis.  My recovery from TM is very good.  I have gained back about 80% of my feeling and mobility.  Adapting from a very active lifestyle with 4 wonderful children in sports and school, owning a high volume flower shop and being a wife to the most wonderful man in the world has, needless to say, been the hardest thing that I have ever done.  I am trying to adapt, but am very confused with what I have been told is depression.  I don't know much about it, only because it had never really been a part of my life.  I started taking Cympalta last year and sometimes I think that my emotions are influenced by the Cympalta itself.  I really don't like taking it and would like to know more about which direction to take.  My famly doc and my neuro say take it.  They tell me that depresson is very common in patients with MS, especially wth the dramatic lifestyle change that I have had.  My gut tells me something else.  I don't feel depressed until I think about treatment, doctors, hospitals, etc, etc, etc.....  I am fine when I am at work or with my famly.  I get upset when I think about how MS and all of the ugly things that go with it change the lives of everyone around me.  Is that the depression that they talk about with MS?  Does that need medication, or is it just a really unfortunate disease that we need to deal with?  Not sure how to define the difference and neither of my docs can answer the question?  They just say that most all patience with MS are depressed.  I think that most people would be.  Please let me know what your thoughts are, I am really wanting to stop taking this medication but not sure about the "problems" and "depression" associated with MS.  Thank you so much for you time and information.  Mary

[ERS2007]

Well a few things about MS.  
First, check out this website: www.msrc.co.uk  and check out the latest news - it has all the latest research being done on MS.
Second, the sooner you start on med and stick to it - the better.
ALSO- there are a couple of vaccines that are in stage 3, that work very well on people who are just diagnosed and are early in their MS. I highly recommend enrolling (on the site I just gave you, there are all the meds in trials listed and described etc. -- its a great site).  I think the vaccine is called Tovaxine or Neurovax.  I forget which.  But it works really well - I spoke w/ the guy who is in charge of the trials and went to see him - its a great vaccine - but for early dignosis.
I highly recommend staying on Avenox or copaxone or one of the drugs early on - all the research points that getting started early is key.  
The bottom line is that ifyou're fine now, enjoy it.  don't be so scared about tmrw bc you know what, 10 yrs from now, you'll be fine, but then you'll look back and say god, why was I so miserable and scared and depressed and unable to enjoy my life - just try and enjoy yourself and not be so scared.  it will be ok.  In the next 5-10 yrs, there will be sooo much more meds available to prevent AND REPAIR function - it will be ok.

[DDDAY]

it's a practice, after all.  What works for most of the patients may not be what you need.  Ask to taper off.  chart your feelings, activities. mood swings as you do this.  Remember there is no stigma attached to getting your chemicals back in order if you and the doctor decide to continue the medication.  You may email me for a borrowed functionality chart if you need one.

DDDay