A person with 1st phase multiple sclerosis...?

Question

What is another alternative to prednisone? A person with phase one MS shouldn't really make a committment to interferon or avonex....so what is a good alternative to prednisone if you're only getting attacks once or twice a year?

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Please forgive me for not answering your question, but I don't agree with your logic. You don't want to get on one of the CRAB drugs (Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, or Betaseron) because you're only having exacerbations once or twice a year? I think this is the *perfect* time to get on one of the drugs! You could perhaps delay the onset of the next "phase" for years, perhaps ten years or more beyond when you would have originally progressed. We really don't know whether or not the drugs will delay the onset of more symptoms. What we *do* know is that there are no restorative drugs (to nerve fibers), only preventative drugs (preventing damage to undamaged nerve fibers), so the "conservative" approach, IMHO, is to "conserve" as much nerve fiber as you possibly can. Don't wait for your disease to progress. Once you lose nerve fibers, they're gone. CNS nerve fibers do not regenerate like PNS fibers.

In my opinion (and that of my neurologist BTW), there is no "bad" time to start the medication. Once you've confirmed through any manner of tests that you have MS, you should start the drug therapy. Regardless of how severe your symptoms currently are, or how frequently you're relapsing, save your nerves!

I'm a perfect example of that. I got one symptom (optic neuritis). Went to my opthamologist, then to the MRI table, and then to the neurologist. We confirmed MS (ruling out anything else that could cause white spots on MRIs). I waited no more than 5 months beyond that confirmation to start on drug therapy. It's been over a year, and I've been completely symptom-free. Was that the drug? Did I have benign MS? Was I a first-stager, destined for one or two relapses a year? No one can really say (and frankly, I don't care). The point is, there really is no down side to starting the drugs sooner rather than later.

If it's the drugs themselves you're worried about, start with Copaxone (no flu-like side effects). If it works for you, stick with it. Otherwise, switch to one of the high-dose interferons like Rebif. Sure you'll get the flu-like symptoms, but in time those settle out.

In any case, I would seriously suggest rethinking your strategy of symptom management over disease management, even at this early stage. The important point to remember is that the longer you wait, the more nerve fiber you can potentially lose, and you'll not ever get that back. Please discuss this seriously with your neuro, and if he/she wants a consult, I can hook them up with my neuro to talk shop.

Good luck!

Answer 3

http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/therapies/pain.htm

Answer 4

go to: www.webmd.com and get expert advice.