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
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
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
Tysabri is a monoclonal antibody (MAB).
Bob
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