Guest guest Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Hi! I'm on Rebif, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I've been on it since October 03. I did have flu like symptoms but not any more. I'm fine and have no side effects. -Dave -----Original Message-----From: celesiac Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2004 3:45 AMTo: MSersLife Subject: Meds/treatmentsThanks everyone for the welome. I do have some questions though. What are the different meds and treatments everyone is on? Celesia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Celesia, Excuse my running off at the mouth here, but I'll share with you some of what I've seen folks use. First thing: listen to your body. Rest when you need to, expecially early on. There is an adjustment time, when you get used to our "uninvited guest". What things bring on a flare of symptomes? What makes it better, what worse? It is scarey at first, until you have things sorted out. Be sure to remember, and reassure your family and loved ones: you are still you, and will still be you. Now some things to consider: MS patients should be evaluated for PT and establish a regular exercise program (initially supervised) to strengthen and maintain their muscle function. Many of those with MS use alternative methods to help with their symptoms. Meditation, relaxation response, prayer, Tai Chi, herbal meds/vitamins, etc. help people deal with the symptoms of MS. Each individual has to decide which method, or combination of methods, works best for them. Each of these methods has effects/side effects that need to be considered. What medicines MS patients take are usually drugs to treat symptoms, as well as those to stabilize the MS. ALL MEDS SHOULD BE USED AS DIRECTED BY DOC. These symptoms should be evaluated to make sure that there is not something else causing them. Just because one has MS, it doesn't mean that other things may not cause some of the same symptoms. Depending on the symptoms, some may use: one of the ABC drugs to stabilize and prevent relapses-that's Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone. It is recommended that everyone with MS discuss with your doc using one of these drugs. for spasms: neurontin, baclafen, trileptal for pain-this burning, freezy-cold pain is a type of pain called neurogenic pain, and the meds used for spasms may help here also. A certain class of anti-depressants that is used for nerve pain, for example amitriptyline, may also help. OTC meds, such as tylenol and acetomenophen may be used (ONLY AS DIRECTED), and then narcotics may be added if these others don't do the trick. Some try to "tough it out", but consider: chronic pain makes it hard for us to do all that we can do; it upsets the immune system; it contributes to depression. for urinary incontenence: one of the anti-spasm meds may help; and then the "gotta go" meds, such as Detrol, may be used. Again, be sure that there is not something else causing this. Exercises controlling pelvic muscles may help here also. for depression: Monitor this, and don't be afraid to discuss this with your support group and physician; and re-evaluate it on a regular basis. Heaven knows that we have enough to be depressed about! Our family may see things that we don't, as far as how we are acting. If you are considering hurting yourself or someone else, go directly to an Emergency Room! That's the disease talking, and you can be helped. Remember, you have MS. MS doesn't have you! for acute relapses: IV steroids may be used acutely, and long-term steroids may be used in some cases. This brings on its own subset of symptoms and complications; most folks aren't on steroids long-term. for persisting or progressive symptoms: chemotherapy meds such as immuran may be used, if the autoimmune process persists. The idea here is to shut down the immune system, hoping that it will then "reset" itself and stop attacking what it shouldn't-your myelin! treatments: some may get IV injection of immunoglobulin, to stabilize the immune system. This is not effective for everyone, and is used generally only if symptoms are not responding to other treatments. Plasma pheresis, is a treatment sort of like dialysis, where the blood is circulated through a machine, treated, and returned. This too is uncommon and used usually only for progressive serious symptoms. I want to stress again: these meds should only be used under the direction of a physician. You should discuss the symptoms with your doc, and the best way for you to deal with them. Anything that goes in you or on you should be discussed with your primary care provider. Herbal preparations are "medications" of a different sort; they have their effects, their side-effects, and their interactions. I am hesitant with them because their preparation may not be controlled and uniform-the amount of active ingredient may vary according to brand, or even batch to batch. Remember, just because they are "natural", it doesn't mean that they are harmless. They are "medicines" of a different sort, and should be considered as such. In addition, regular exercise, a healthy diet, continuing hobbies that bring you joy, decreasing negative stress, these are all important parts to dealing with MS. A good and happy life is definitely possible with MS...ask anybody! ;-) Sam in pretty good shape for the shape she's in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 hi Celesia, I´m on copaxone. Have startted in sept 9th 2002 LOVE, Andreiahttp://msmemoriesandthoughts.bravehost.com Meds/treatments Thanks everyone for the welome. I do have some questions though. What are the different meds and treatments everyone is on? Celesia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 29, 2004 Report Share Posted February 29, 2004 Hi Celesia! I am on Copaxone. It's a once a day, sub-q (under the skin) shot. When I first started it, I had like a weird warming sensation for a few seconds after injecting. I do get warm, red, raised and itchy bumps/lumps at the injection site. You can used ice before and after to reduce that. Not much else to "report." Rhonda -----Original Message-----From: celesiac Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2004 3:45 AMTo: MSersLife Subject: Meds/treatmentsThanks everyone for the welome. I do have some questions though. What are the different meds and treatments everyone is on? Celesia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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