wife just diagnosed with MS. now what?

Question

My wife was just diagnosed with MS. whats the outlook like. the dr thinks its relapse remitting MS. she goes for a spinal tap next week to confirm. what are the medications like and what is the prognosis for the long run.
I work as a firefighter/medic and i have only seen those with MS that are confined to wheelchairs and have severe problems with their MS. very concerning for both of us. wife is only 27.

Answer 1

The frightening thing when first diagnosed with MS for the patient and the friends and family (and especially in your case) is that the general knowledge of MS is based on the worst case-scenarios.

I've found it extremely helpful to talk to my neurologist about prognosis and treatment and to read as much objective material on MS that I could get my hands on.

MS is a very individual disease and it is impossible to predict your wife's prognosis, but once you look at the statistics, you will find that they are not as bleak as most people believe and the earlier a patient is diagnosed and starts treatment, the better the prognosis usually is.

As far as I remember the percentage of patients with relapsing-remitting MS who will eventually end up in a wheelchair is about 15% and the percentage of people with relapsing-remitting MS who experience little or no problem is also about 15%. Also remember that many of these statistics include results from before the first inteferon medications became available in the late 80ties and the recent drug, Tysabri, is supposed to be much better than these.

As a rule of thumb they say that the progression of the disease within the first 5 years is an indication of how the disease will continue to progress. It's not a hard, fast rule, though, as an aggressive MS can suddenly go dormant and a dormant MS can suddenly become aggressive and then you have all the cases inbetween these two extremes.

Being newly diagnosed is a hard time. I believe it is important to accept the severity of the disease and the worst possible outcome, but it is also equally important to realise that it may never come to that and make the most of what you have.

You and your wife are undoubtedly going to hear numerous stories about patients not doing well from friends and family. Remember that even if a friend's aunt Mary is in a wheelchair and completely dependent on helpers, then that doesn't mean this will happen to your wife.

Also, people will give you advice about countless natural remedies and holistic healing methods, ranging from special diets to bee-venom theraphy. Fact is that there is no scientific evidence that these methods are effective. However, many patients with MS feel that it works for them. If your wife wants to try one of these cures then make sure she goes over them with her neurologist, as some of them can be harmful to her.

I've added a list of links below, which you migh find helpful.

Answer 2

Just Diagnosed With Ms

Answer 3

I was diagnosed 9 years ago, and I remember the first year, I was completely out of it. I don't know what happened to that year. I know now, however, that it does not have to be a debilitating disease! I really am relatively fine! Sure, I have to inject myself every day (ok, most days), and my hand will always have a tremor, and I will have rotten fatigue too much, but to have the love and support of my husband has brought me through. MS doesn't kill you. Depression can make your life miserable, but it doesn't have to. With the medicines available today, it is not a terrible disease that inevitably leads to total disability. My brain scans are showing improvement, and I recently started cholesterol drugs, as studies have shown them to be helpful in reducing number and size of lesions. So tell her not to give up! Keep pressing that her family supports her and loves her and is there for her! This is a disease that is not curable yet, but it is treatable and her life will work out just fine. Don't let her identity become MS. She is way more than a disease, and it doesn't have to define her. Retail therapy works very well too!!! Eat all the crap you need to, because it's likely it is just temporary crap. Best wishes!

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
wife just diagnosed with MS. now what?
My wife was just diagnosed with MS. whats the outlook like. the dr thinks its relapse remitting MS. she goes for a spinal tap next week to confirm. what are the medications like and what is the prognosis for the long run.
I work as a firefighter/medic and i have only seen those with MS that are...

Answer 5

I Have Ms Now What

Answer 6

God bless you and your family.

I suggest talking to your family doc.

Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) PPMS is characterized by progression of disability from onset, without plateaus or remissions (2a) or with occasional plateaus and temporary minor improvements (2b). A person with PPMS, by definition, does not experience acute attacks. Of people with MS are diagnosed, only 10% have PPMS. In addition, the diagnostic criteria for PPMS are less secure than those for RRMS so that often the diagnosis is only made long after the onset of neurological symptoms and at a time when the person is already living with significant disability.

Figure 2a



Figure 2b


Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS) SPMS begins with an initial relapsing-remitting disease course, followed by progression of disability (3a) that may include occasional relapses and minor remissions and plateaus (3b). Typically, secondary-progressive disease is characterized by: less recovery following attacks, persistently worsening functioning during and between attacks, and/or fewer and fewer attacks (or none at all) accompanied by progressive disability. According to some natural history studies, of the 85% who start with relapsing-remitting disease, more than 50% will develop SPMS within 10 years; 90% within 25 years. More recent natural history studies (perhaps because of the use of MRI to assist in the diagnosis) suggest a more benign outlook that these numbers suggest. Nevertheless, many patients with RRMS do develop SPMS ultimately.

Figure 3a



Figure 3b


Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS) PRMS, which is the least common disease course, shows progression of disability from onset but with clear acute relapses, with (4a) or without (4b) full recovery. Approximately 5% of people with MS appear to have PRMS at diagnosis. Not infrequently a patient may be initially diagnosed as having PPMS and then will experience an acute attack, thereby establishing the diagnosis of PRMS.

Pray to Jehovah and remember He won't forget you!

Answer 7

I strongly recommend you research all of the treatment & management options for MS.

John McDougall, MD has worked extensively w/ Roy Swank, MD who was the of Neurology at the University of Oregon Medical School.

Here's a link to Dr. McDougall's website: http://www.drmcdougall.com/med_hot_ms.html

I've met Dr. McDougall & many of his patients who he has helped tremendously. He is a dedicated physician.

Answer 8

wow thats young.Dont know to many people that have got it but the ones I have know go on real healthy diets and drink this green stuff from the health food stores.There are medications and Look at Montel Williams .com he has ms and has done very well.Im sure he has lots of infor for you to read.

Answer 9

100% Organic Foods....a vegan diet for a few months.....no chemicals....no white flour...no sugars...Consider sending her to the Optimum Health Institute in California or Texas for 4 weeks. Acupuncture to open the blocked meridians. No nail polish, make-up, chemicals in the enviroment....like insect spray, cleaning chemicals, etc. The body will heal if given a chance. Laugh everyday. Music is healing. Good luck and give nature a chance to heal before the drs. mess her up more. Western medicine will not cure her only cover up the disease whereas alternative will heal her.