nervous about medication

[rrnichol]

I have a anxiety disorder that has kept me very concerned about medication. Reading up on the treatment options for ms has me concerned as well. I understand these medications are proven beneficial but the stuff I've been reading about the jc virus and pml has me very sceptical... Do all medications to help rrms have that possible side effect? I seem to be able to mentally tolerate the milder side effects enough to convince myself  that this is what I have to do but this one just really makes me anxious about taking the medication. If you know of any of the medications that don't list this as a possible side effect I'd be happy to be informed. I'm thankful for any replies.

[rrnichol]

Thank you...:)

[HVAC]

Not everyone gets all the side effects. It is a benefit/risk. This where your doctor comes in. I know they give you a choice but knowing you and your disease they will steer you to certain medications.

The injections have the least side effects but they are used at the begining. As the disease progresses you go on stronger drugs which mean more side effects.

As the disease progresses the symptoms get worse so people will stand worse side effects.

I have cancer and am on chemo. The side effect list is a mile long. I do not get all the side effects. I tell the doctor if I have side effects and they give me meds to help. Same with MS there are meds to help.  PML is one to give you pause but it is only a few drugs can cause it. I have known people on Tysabri for years with no issues. Many doctors pull you off or take breaks to reduce the risk. If you have side effects that are too much you can switch drugs. Like diabetes or cancer you have to take some serious drugs but the disease are serious. But luckily MS is not fatal.

Part of the fear of picking a drug is it make MS real. That is hard. I have had MS a long time. Adaptability is the main thing that helps.

With fear you make your best choices and do what scares you anyway.

Alex

[rrnichol]

Thank you for your reply. Yes I am aware that you can have a blood test to see if you have jc and I'm aware of how they monitor a person aswell. I do realize that it is much more of a risk to not be treated and that's why I am asking if any other medications have a lesser side effect. I appreciate your concern about me seeking medical attention for my anxiety disorder and I'm on top of that....I have suffered many years and have came a long way...on the other hand I am who I am and medication is not something I'm comfortable with regardless of my anxiety treatment and I feel that I'm not alone with my concern I can't help but feel as though people without anxiety ofter feel the same way from time to time. Fear or no fear I have to comfortable with my decision. I do Google as well like you have mentioned
but I am by far a naive person and am fully aware that something's are blown out of proportion and things aren't always as they appear, this too can be the case with face value feedback as well, as we are all different.I feel as though googling can be helpful and insightful regardless and I think it a positive thing. In fact I've been advised even by the medical professionals I have delt with to consider doing my reasearch on here before deciding what option I would like to choose so I  felt as though this would be a good place to find out that information.

[essdipity]

The only medications, for MS or otherwise, that can allow PML are those that reduce the white blood count, which reduces the ability to fight off infection. In other words, they lower the immune response. If you are not JC positive you can't possibly get PML, no matter what. If you are, you still can't get it if your white blood count is normal.

Testing the blood periodically is a good idea if you are on one of the MS drugs that can cause this. As far as I know, these are limited to Tecfidera, Tysabri and Rituxan, the first being a pill and the others infusions done at an infusion center. Keep in mind that one's white count doesn't go from fine to low overnight, or even in a week or a month--it's a process. So if your doctor prescribes one of these, make sure you have your blood tested every few months.

Not using an MS treatment med is a much greater risk than taking one and having to test for JC or PML. I'm sure you don't want to wake up one day in the midst of a terrible relapse which possibly could have been prevented, and which possibly could cause life-altering and permanent deficits. Since everyone, an MSer or not, is at risk for all kinds of diseases and disorders as time passes, everyone sooner or later will be prescribed a fair number of medications, and all medications have potential side effects. If you have an anxiety disorder, I urge you to have this treated by a professional, so as to be able to make solid decisions about medications, and not ones based on fear.

Also, I urge you to stop Googling so much, if that's what you're doing. Remember that during drug trials, those participating must report every health issue that occurs, drug-related or not, and these are recorded. If I were on a drug trial and broke my leg due to some accident, that would be reported. It certainly doesn't mean the drug caused the fracture!

Finally, keep in mind that nearly always it's people who are dissatisfied who post on drug websites, whether or not the drug could actually be to blame. The vast majority of those taking whatever drug never post because they have no reason to.

ess