Multiple sclerosis
(MS)
About Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a nervous system disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. It damages the myelin sheath, the material that surrounds and protects your nerve cells. This damage slows down or blocks messages between your brain and your body, leading to the symptoms of MS. They can includeVisual disturbancesMuscle weaknessTrouble with coordination and balanceSensations such as numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles" Thinking and memory problemsNo one knows what causes MS. It may be an autoimmune disease, which happens when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake. Multiple sclerosis affects women more than men. It often begins between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually, the disease is mild, but some people lose the ability to write, speak, or walk.There is no single test for MS. Doctors use a medical history, physical exam, neurological exam, MRI, and other tests to diagnose it. There is no cure for MS, but medicines may slow it down and help control symptoms. Physical and occupational therapy may also help.NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Visual disturbances
- Muscle weakness
- Trouble with coordination and balance
- Sensations such as numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles"
- Thinking and memory problems
All Medications for Multiple sclerosis
- Orapred(Prednisolone sodium phosphate)Prescription only
Orapred (Prednisolone sodium phosphate) is a common oral steroid that is very effective in controlling allergic reactions and immune conditions, but it can cause serious side effects if you have to use it for a long time.
Was it worth it?Review it- Available dosage forms:
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
- Ampyra(dalfampridine)Prescription only
Ampyra (dalfampridine) is an oral drug for people with difficulty walking due to MS, but may not work for everyone.
Was it worth it?Review it- Available dosage forms:
- Pill
- Betaseron(Interferon beta-1b)Prescription only
Betaseron (Interferon beta-1b) is an injection that effectively treats relapsing multiple sclerosis. It's used every other day and has relatively few side effects.
Was it worth it?Review it- Available dosage forms:
- Injection
- Gilenya(fingolimod)Prescription only
Gilenya (fingolimod) reduces the number of flare-ups, new brain lesions, and physical changes in relapsing MS, but it has many side effects.
- Available dosage forms:
- Pill
- Copaxone(glatiramer)Prescription only
Copaxone (glatiramer) is safer than interferons at reducing multiple sclerosis episodes.
Was it worth it?Review it- Available dosage forms:
- Injection
- Aubagio(Teriflunomide)Prescription only
Aubagio (Teriflunomide) significantly improves many symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), which may not be seen with some other MS medications.
Was it worth it?Review it- Available dosage forms:
- Pill
- Avonex(interferon beta-1a)Prescription only
Avonex (interferon beta-1a) helps manage multiple sclerosis by reducing flare ups and increasing periods of remission in between, but it may not work for all people.
Was it worth it?Review it- Available dosage forms:
- Injection
- Cortef(Hydrocortisone)Prescription only
Cortef (Hydrocortisone) is identical to an essential hormone that humans produce and has been proven to work safely.
Was it worth it?Review it- Available dosage forms:
- Pill
- Liquid
- Suppository
- Medrol(methylprednisolone)Prescription only
Medrol (methylprednisolone) is very effective for controlling allergic reactions and many types of inflammatory conditions, but it is associated with serious and potentially life-threatening side effects if you have to take it for a long time.
- Available dosage forms:
- Pill
- Injection
Tips, success stories, and coping strategies for Multiple sclerosis
Develop a sense of humor...the one thing I can say for sure is it is unpredictable...xo
Get informed. There have been so many treatment advances and maybe what you remember from your past, seeing people with MS, doesn't apply anymore.
Try not to panic. Learn as much as you can but don't overwhelm yourself- the disease is different for everyone. While there is no cure, at least now there are non-injection options, which is a big advance.
remove processed sugar and go unrefined brown. Spasms will lessen.
Massage
laughter and exercise....
Exercise
Exercise, stretching, yoga, meditation, cognitive rehabilitative therapy, lists...