new diagnosed

[samanbessa]

Hi all, I was in the hospital for lower vision problem. After so many investigation my doctor told me that they have played a kind of puzzle on my MRI and spinal chord fluid results and he told me the out come of the puzzle showed that I might have developed Ms. Because I am from Africa, the probability of developing this disease should have been rare, they told me. The doctor told me the treatment options with interferon but he suggested me to wait for some times and get treated with cortisols if acute symptoms flare up. The reason for his decition, he said that I have no so many puzzle.

I have read so many aritcles suggestion to start interferone as early as as possibe and I sometimes think to force my doctor. On the other hand I also think the sever side effects of the drugs...since I have been in different form of interferon for another medication and I had experienced many side effects like very low white blood cells and permanent disfunction of thirod stimulating organ,

I am in dillema or confusion and I really appriciate your comments and suggestion.

Thanks a lot!

[addicted2harleys]

I have to agree with what the others here have advised.  I don't really have anything to add, but I still wanted to pop in and say hi and welcome to our forum!  :)

Hugs,
Addi

[Sparkysarah]

Hi and welcome to the forum and it is always a pleasure to say hello to someone from a different nationality. I live in England but most people on the forum live in USA.

It sounds as if you have a lot to think about but if you have MS you are correct in thinking that it is better to get on some treatment sooner rather than later. So as the others have suggested try and find an MS specialist to discuss what treatments would suit you best.

With best wishes

Sarah

[rendean]

Hi and welcome!

I agree with Alex and would get a second opinion with a neurologist that specializes in MS if at all possible. Your reading is correct about start disease modifying drugs (DMDs) as early as possible but each case of MS is unique.

Since you had a bad reaction to other medications, that may be the reason for the doctor's hesitancy.

Let us know how things go and if you have any other questions. We have Health Pages located at the upper right hand corner of this page, next to the yellow icon. There is a great deal of information in these pages on a variety of topics.

Let us know how things go.

Ren

[COBOB]

Tysabri is a monoclonal antibody (MAB).

Bob

[HVAC]

Are you in the U.S.? If it were I, I would get a second opinion from a MS Specialist. I do not  know the statistics in the the African population but in Americans of African decent the disease progresses more rapidly and tends to be more aggressive. Most MS Specialists therefore treat more aggressively with the drugs to slow progression.

There are other drugs than interferons to slow progression. Copaxone, Tysabri (I do not think is an interferon) and Gileyna. The last two can have some bad side effects but this is a bad disease. Some people have no problems with them.

You may have other health problems and that is why your Doctor is cautious.

Alex