I need some advice, my husband has Multiple Sclerosis!?

Question

My husband (25yr old) was diagnosed with MS in July of 2006. He really hadn't had any flare ups until he started on his Avonex injections. Now he can barely move his right arm and his legs are weak. I am an RN and i know how bad this disease can be. He if refusing to take his Avonex injection and I and his doctor told him that he is giving up on it too early, he has only been on it for 2 months. Basically, I just need advice, he is possibly getting relased from his job, should he go on disability? I work full time as and RN and make good money but we depend on both of our incomes. I am severly stressing out, I feel like I am having panic attacks about it at times and I have always been very level headed. We have to give him Solumedrol infusions IV for the next 5 days and they said he should get better. I have noone to talk to other than coworkers. I don't know what the hell to do next, I can't fix him, I feel like I need a Valium to relax, should I talk to my doctor? Is there alt tx.?

I know people with MS can work and lead productive lives, but his family thinks he should just give up and go on disability, I know my husband very well, and he would go insane sitting at home,-- also I have convinced him to try the Avonex injections a little longer. Please help, I don't know how much more I can take and just keep inside and act like everythings okay, his family thinks I am "doom and gloom" about the situation but I am not. I want the best for him!

we are seeing a neurologist at the cleveland clinic who only specializes in MS. SHe just says keep on with the treatment and give it a chance. I need some help with my emotional problems because of this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

.I am so sorry. My Husband was just diagnosed two years ago. He is taking daily shots of Copaxine and is still doing just about every thing he did before. He is 58 and they believe he has had it for many years since he was in the marine Corp. Your Husband MUST take the shots unless he wants to give up. MS is controllable today. Make sure your Husband gets excercise daily. Go to the store ect. Plenty of rest and don't wait till he is too tired to rest. His mind set will determine a lot, don't give up he could go for years with no major flare up. MS is also a disease that qualifies for Social Security regardless of your income. You must apply and get all the Dr's paperwork. There is a support group on line for both of you. It may help. God Bless and good luck. By the way, I have just been diagnosed with polymyositis and he has to help me as I get paralyzed. Keep the faith.

Answer 2

My son was diagnosed with MS when he was 19 and he is now 22. He was put on Avonex and his injections made him very sick. As a matter of fact, he still gets flu like symptoms from the shots that last about 24 hours. His leg muscles are very sore at the injection sites. We usually ice them before giving his injection. He also takes an Aleve after his injection, to help with the side effects he knows he will have later on. His doctor said this is all perfectly normal and that some people just have these side effects. True, when my son gets really sick, he has to have the IV treatments also, but he handles these very well. He has had a total of 3 attacks and that is in 4 years! And, 2 of those were because he got overheated (which he knew was a mistake in the first place). I was afraid of how my son would handle having MS. Thank God he is the strong one in the family who lives each day to the very fullest. He plans for the future, just as if he had nothing wrong with him. He will be attending graduate school in the Fall and I couldn't be more proud of him. He works on getting and keeping himself in the best possible physical shape he can be in. That is very important. He also watches his diet very carefully. The worst thing your husband can do is to give up on life. He needs to continue on with things just as if nothing is wrong! Why is he giving up? His family should stay out of this. It is his decision to make and it sounds like he will be totally miserable staying at home and worrying about if and what could come later (keywords are if and later) on with this disease. He could lead a very productive life and outlive this disease by leaps and bounds! Why not give it a try? Unless he is crippled and his MS has gone into a very severe stage, he won't be able to go on disability. There are millions and millions of people with MS who lead full and productive lives. I can't believe that your husband was just diagnosed and now he is giving up on life. What a shame! As for you, I can completely understand how and why you are going bonkers! It would drive me crazy, too. Especially since his family has such a big part in making his life decisions for him! It sounds like the both of you could benefit from a support group. There are so many of these out there and my son is constantly talking with other people who are experiencing the same things he is. There are also support groups for family members, which his family should join. They might be able to see that what they are doing is wrong! Anyway, best of luck to all of you!

Answer 3

My wife is 33, is MD, has MS diagnosed 7 years ago and needs assistance in order to walk, with numerous MS related problems.
If she would not go to work, she would probably commit suicide.

DON'T go on disability, unless you are mentally capable to do so, but you cant be with 25. Its a very difficult living, but I know a lot of people that accepted the fact that they have to live with MS and have a decently happy life. Once you and he get over the fact that you can't cure MS, but can live with it, start all over again.

Answer 4

Because MS is so variable from one person to another, and for any one person over time, each individual's treatment needs are best identified in an ongoing collaboration with a knowledgeable physician and other members of the treatment team. The following agents can reduce future disease activity for many individuals with relapsing forms of MS, including those with secondary progressive disease who continue to have relapses. Avonex (interferon beta 1-a) Betaseron (interferon beta 1-b). Copaxone(glatiramer acetate). Rebif (interferon beta-1a). Novantrone (mitoxantrone). Tysabri(natalizumab). There are many sites dealing with M.S. and apart from them I suggest you search for a doctor who specialises in the desease from whom to obtain advice on this particular case.
http://www.acceleratedcure.org/msnews/msnews.php
http://www.msactivesource.com/msavProject/msas.portal
http://www.msif.org/en/symptoms_treatments/treatment_overvie

w/recognised_treat.html (This is the end of the link above)

Hope this is of use
Matador 89

Answer 5

I am so sorry to hear about this situation. My heart goes out for you. Since he is acutely ill its difficult to judge right now what to do about his job situation. Men need things to do so I dont think he should give up so easily. He needs work and activity to make him feel like a man. He will be a huge pain in the *** and feel sorry for himself so leaving work sould be the last alternate you consider. Is it possible for him to go parttime or light duty until he is better? How about a short medical leave of absense? If he does not like the injections ask the doctor to speak to him about his alternatives and consequences about taking/or not taking the drug. I wish you well. Don't let his family make your decisions, you will both regret it.

Answer 6

hello im 42/male dx with ms about 4 years ago after the soulmedrol i felt better for about one week and then i said i would never do it again! i was on Avonex for two months and never felt worse i decided i gave it two full months after quitting about 2 years ago i feel great! but each person has to decide for themself i would be happy to discuss any of this with you if you desire [e-mail]