Why Take Medicine for MS if you Feel Fine?

[sllowe]

I've posted articles written by Dr. Howard in the past, because he gives such insight, and solid information. To me, he's one of those "keepers" we refer to when someone happens upon an amazing specialist or regular neuro. Thought those who have minimal problems, or who are deciding to take, or not to take meds would find this write-up very useful:

http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/perspectives-in-ms/why-take-medicine

-Shell

[sllowe]

Jmix - Bairdy, Twinsmom, and all!

So glad you added on to this. Very, very important advice here.

[Twinsmom06]

Perfect timing! I go in for my 4 month follow-up MRI tonight and will get the comparison results in a couple of weeks. This article and the others from this neuro were very good, easy reads! I feel better about possibly starting DMDs even though I don't present with multiple symptoms as the pictures of my brain would make one think I "should" have. It seems as thought this doctor would have already diagnosed me based on probable history events as well as MRI....makes me feel better to know my neuro isn't "jumping the gun" with me. But also makes me want to scream for some of the others on here in limbo with SO MANY symptoms and few answers...

Thanks again!

[JaneK1975]

It moved down so fast this morning, I'm bumping it again. Happy Tuesday, all!

[sllowe]

bump!

[bairdy]

hi shell
great article
i take meds for my symtoms baclofen and gabapentin.
i have ppms and there are no meds for it !! but i would refuse them anyway as the side effects can be worse. so would not like to feel worse than i do now.
regards mick

[Lulu54]

Shell, I missed this post originally and found it on page 2. This is a good simple explanation.  Thanks for sharing it!

[jujuminx]

We have a 17 yr old Italian foreign exchange student living with us this year. The other night after one of my injections, she asked why the injections are daily. I told her they just haven't figured out how to make copaxone effective in a pill yet.

She asked if I ever got tired of giving myself the injections and if I ever missed a dose. Told her yes I did get tired of it but like anything we have to do, like brushing teeth, you push through it and NO I never missed a dose.

She asked if the medicine was "working". Told her that was a really good question which I couldn't answer b/c if working, you have no relapses (or a lot fewer). So far none since been on it, so I guess it's working but may be that way w/o, I will never know.

The question then becomes do you really want to find out if working or not by stopping or becoming lax in taking meds.  Told her it's a slippery slope so I am a freak about not missing my meds.

Thanks for sharing Shell.

Julie

[sllowe]

Kwarend - Excellent summary!  Exactly why I posted it!

Jane - SO happy you had a chance to read this before starting. It really is important :) Shows the bigger picture! And, brings true perspective.

(((Hugs))) to you both
-shell

[JaneK1975]

Perfect timing, sllowe. I'm about to start Copaxone and keep thinking "Daily injections seem like such a drastic measure!" I needed to read that article.

[kwarendorf]

"After all, the point of these medications is to help ensure that people who feel fine continue to feel that way."

Most people seek treatment when they feel poorly. They want the medicines they receive to make them feel better. DMD's don't really do that. As the doctor points out they often make people feel sick.

Like cholesterol and blood pressure meds, DMD's are supposed to keep things from getting worse. Cholesterol and BP meds are usually benign. DMD's are not always.

Like anti-psychotic meds the can make you feel pretty bad. People who need anti-psychotic meds feel asymptomatic, but flat. They think that as long as they are symptom free why should they feel flat. So they stop taking their meds. The same is true of DMD's. "I'm sx free so why should I endure the side effects of my meds?"

In both cases the results can be really bad and are entirely avoidable.