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New here - ? about treatment
Hi all, I have enjoyed reading all the information this site has and how great of a community this is. My name is MeLissa and I am 34 years old (for another 2 months). I am in the process of being diagnosed with MS.
I had a bout of optic neuritis last month and after having an emergency ophthamologist visit, she then sent me for a MRI the next day. She called the day after the MRI and said that it showed lesions consistent with MS and that I had to go to steriod infusions that day (total of 3 days of solu-medrol) then went on to a course of Prednisone (100mg for 11 days then taper).
I went to the neurologist in the midst of taking the Prednisone, so of course she was doing the exam and I wasn't having any symtoms at the time - not quite sure that's the best time to do a diagnostic work-up? The whole time she avoided saying I had MS after the ophthamologist had already said I did and she had mentioned that because of my age and such there really was nothing else it could be, but they had to rule out everything else. She also showed me the MRI results and told me I have a number of lesions but none of them are active at this time.
So after many blood test and an LP, which I am still waiting (impatiently) on the results of, I have a follow-up on Thursday to start treatment. I might want to take this time to mention that I have had multiple issues over the course of the past 2 years that are probably related - tingling in the hands (already had Cervical MRI and nerve conduction test for that), fatigue, muscle weakness, slurred speech, forgetting words, pain in the chest that was diagnosed as teizes disease, hives that are still unexplained that the neurologist says has nothing to do with MS (Anyone have any advice on that one?)
So my question is what treatment is everyone on and why? The neurologist gave me books on the Avonex, Copaxone, and Betaseron and I am more confussed than I was before I read so much about each. Many people are suprised that she would give me all that information but after reading other post I say I have a pretty good neuro!
I had a bout of optic neuritis last month and after having an emergency ophthamologist visit, she then sent me for a MRI the next day. She called the day after the MRI and said that it showed lesions consistent with MS and that I had to go to steriod infusions that day (total of 3 days of solu-medrol) then went on to a course of Prednisone (100mg for 11 days then taper).
I went to the neurologist in the midst of taking the Prednisone, so of course she was doing the exam and I wasn't having any symtoms at the time - not quite sure that's the best time to do a diagnostic work-up? The whole time she avoided saying I had MS after the ophthamologist had already said I did and she had mentioned that because of my age and such there really was nothing else it could be, but they had to rule out everything else. She also showed me the MRI results and told me I have a number of lesions but none of them are active at this time.
So after many blood test and an LP, which I am still waiting (impatiently) on the results of, I have a follow-up on Thursday to start treatment. I might want to take this time to mention that I have had multiple issues over the course of the past 2 years that are probably related - tingling in the hands (already had Cervical MRI and nerve conduction test for that), fatigue, muscle weakness, slurred speech, forgetting words, pain in the chest that was diagnosed as teizes disease, hives that are still unexplained that the neurologist says has nothing to do with MS (Anyone have any advice on that one?)
So my question is what treatment is everyone on and why? The neurologist gave me books on the Avonex, Copaxone, and Betaseron and I am more confussed than I was before I read so much about each. Many people are suprised that she would give me all that information but after reading other post I say I have a pretty good neuro!
Hi and welcome.
the reason the doctors give us all these choices is because essentially you can't make a wrong decision. Each of the DMD's, even though they work in different ways, have relatively the same outcome in slowing the disease progression (rate of relapses).
There are things to consider when you pick a dmd - the side effects, the administration schedule, and even storage methods. A favorite site of mine to walk through the choices and help you understand the differences is on a UK website ---- it takes some time (no where near the 45 minutes they estimate) to complete, but it really will give you some guidance in your decision process.
http://www.msdecisions.org.uk
Like the others above, I ultimately chose copaxone. The daily shot is just part of my routine. If you want to know the particulars you can search this community and learn more. Or just ask, and we'll be happy to share.
good luck and be well,
Lulu
the reason the doctors give us all these choices is because essentially you can't make a wrong decision. Each of the DMD's, even though they work in different ways, have relatively the same outcome in slowing the disease progression (rate of relapses).
There are things to consider when you pick a dmd - the side effects, the administration schedule, and even storage methods. A favorite site of mine to walk through the choices and help you understand the differences is on a UK website ---- it takes some time (no where near the 45 minutes they estimate) to complete, but it really will give you some guidance in your decision process.
http://www.msdecisions.org.uk
Like the others above, I ultimately chose copaxone. The daily shot is just part of my routine. If you want to know the particulars you can search this community and learn more. Or just ask, and we'll be happy to share.
good luck and be well,
Lulu
Welcome,
I did Copaxone. It was not bad. It seems scary giving injections everyday but it is not so bad.
I contacted the National MS Society they sent me a book on Newly Diagnosed which helped and "Knowledge is power series".
It will be really confusing at first. I did not understand much of what was going on or really what the doctors meant.
There is no right answer on the drugs.
Having a neurologist you like is key.
Good luck,
Alex
I did Copaxone. It was not bad. It seems scary giving injections everyday but it is not so bad.
I contacted the National MS Society they sent me a book on Newly Diagnosed which helped and "Knowledge is power series".
It will be really confusing at first. I did not understand much of what was going on or really what the doctors meant.
There is no right answer on the drugs.
Having a neurologist you like is key.
Good luck,
Alex
Welcome to the forum. This is a wonderful place, full of wonderful people and great information.
On the upper right hand side, there are the health pages. You can learn LOTS there.
Sounds like you have a really good neuro, that is great. My neuro offered me Copaxone, so it was an easy decision for me.
Let us know how you make out on Thursday.
Michelle
On the upper right hand side, there are the health pages. You can learn LOTS there.
Sounds like you have a really good neuro, that is great. My neuro offered me Copaxone, so it was an easy decision for me.
Let us know how you make out on Thursday.
Michelle
It's nice to meet you! Welcome to the MS forum. Wow! You've had so much happen to you in such a short period of time. I know you must be confused about the medicines because you haven't had any time to digest that you have MS. I sure was. I went back in forth between medicines trying to figure it out. I finally decided on Copaxone.
Since I've not been on the other medicines, it's hard to give you an impartial viewpoint. I can tell you, however, that I haven't regretted my decision. People are different in their reactions to the medicines, though.
Read everything you can about the medicines and look at the literature closely. Read what you can on the Internet, and talk with others on the forum.
I'm happy you've come across a good neuro. It is so important to find a good one when dealing with this cruddy disease.
Deb
Since I've not been on the other medicines, it's hard to give you an impartial viewpoint. I can tell you, however, that I haven't regretted my decision. People are different in their reactions to the medicines, though.
Read everything you can about the medicines and look at the literature closely. Read what you can on the Internet, and talk with others on the forum.
I'm happy you've come across a good neuro. It is so important to find a good one when dealing with this cruddy disease.
Deb
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