Meds?

[Cerise1110]

All that I am reading is that I should be on medication and that the sooner from diagnosis it better. But, why? I have had symptoms for probably about 13 years, I never went to a Dr for them and all were mild enough for me to just deal with it and move on. Only recently (Jan 14) after a high level fright  and of stress did I have a flare that made it so that I couldn't just move on. I feel like my body will give me signs if I am getting enough down time. I really don't want to be on meds. Does any one here take a more natural approach to managing their life and ms? Yoga, actupuncture, vitamins, diet?

My Dr. gave me the option of meds, which I chose Avonex due to the once a week schedule, but as of now I have ignored their calls. I am just not sure what to do. When I was diagnosed with cancer it was a no brainer as I have young kids. With MS I feel like I have more options and am not ok with being sick each week; I have young kids.

I am definitely in denial and really mad. Any advice would be great.

Thank you

[HVAC]

There are to things going on with MS inflammation and nerve damage. With inflammation symptoms come and go. Sometimes you have inflammation for months or years, Those symptoms caused by nerve damage are there for good.The longer you have MS the greater chance of nerve damage.

Nerve damage can happen with no symptoms. MS can be a silent crippler. Once nerve damage occurs there is no reversal. You can't say now I am having symptoms so I will go on a MS drug and go back to where I was. If it is inflammation you can go back but not if it is nerve damage.  A neurologist can't tell what will happen in the future. They just know that those on Disease Modifying drugs have a slower progression.

We all have a choice as to taking DMDs. If we don't we have to accept that it might lead to say being in a wheel chair. It was not so long ago these drugs did not exist. If you meet an old timer with MS they will tell you how lucky you are to have the drugs.

Yes these are serious drugs but MS is the number one crippler of Adults. It used to be Polio.

Adaptability is the key to coping with MS. Medication is a part of the equation. Any of us can choose not to take a DMD.  If damage occurs we have to live with that choice.

To me not being on a DMD feels like being in a car with no brakes. I made the decision to not take a DMD. I had had MS for over 40 years when they finally diagnosed me. My first known attack in 1965 left me with damage to my brain stem. When I was 7 my parents were told I would always have double vision. I made the decision knowing if I end up in a wheel chair it was my decision.

Alex

[essdipity]

Hello and welcome.

The decision to take or not take MS drugs is yours and yours alone. However, I feel that your decision should be made based on the best possible information.

Have you thoroughly read up on MS? Have you gone to good and reliable medical sites, such as that of the National MS Society? Don't go by what non-professionals have to say, based on their own experiences, but get the scientific facts.

You will find that no lifestyle changes have been shown to influence MS favorably to you. There are lots of claims, mostly with something to sell, whether it be a book or 'snake-oil' medication, but none that stand up to rigorous scientific scrutiny.

Why do you conclude that because up till now your MS has been fairly easily manageable, that's the way it will always be? There are many sad stories that prove this idea wrong.

You say that you have young children. To me, all the more reason to be as active as you can be in fighting back this disease. I know you want to participate in your kids' lives as much as you can, and not sit by, very possibly quite disabled, while MS does its work. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but I believe in giving it the best fight possible.

There are ways that side effects from Avonex can be considerably reduced for most people; there are also many other MS drugs to try.

Just my opinion, but you did post on an MS site.

ess