Diane Kramer, 35, knows all too well the challenges of
finding the right multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment. When she was diagnosed in
her 20s, she tried several drugs, one after the other — and has tried several
more therapies since.
finding the right multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment. When she was diagnosed in
her 20s, she tried several drugs, one after the other — and has tried several
more therapies since.
“My first disease-modifying treatment was completely
dictated by insurance. I wasn’t part of the conversation,” Kramer says. “Then I
changed insurance, so I had to change medications. I went from using an
injectable once a week to using an injectable once every 3 days.”
dictated by insurance. I wasn’t part of the conversation,” Kramer says. “Then I
changed insurance, so I had to change medications. I went from using an
injectable once a week to using an injectable once every 3 days.”
The new drug left her covered in welts and flattened by
flu-like symptoms. But perhaps even worse, she says, was the relationship she
had with her new neurologist. “He told me I would be in a wheelchair in a year,
so I should probably consider not working so I could spend more time with my
family.”
flu-like symptoms. But perhaps even worse, she says, was the relationship she
had with her new neurologist. “He told me I would be in a wheelchair in a year,
so I should probably consider not working so I could spend more time with my
family.”
After that, Kramer made it a priority to find a doctor
who would fight for her health. “I’m in a very good place with my MS right now,
and I attribute that hugely to having a great doctor who is ready with an
answer about what’s next, no matter what issue I’m having.”
who would fight for her health. “I’m in a very good place with my MS right now,
and I attribute that hugely to having a great doctor who is ready with an
answer about what’s next, no matter what issue I’m having.”
Joash T. Lazarus, MD, a neurologist at the Multiple
Sclerosis Center of Atlanta, says finding the right treatment isn’t easy
because the disease affects everyone differently. Having a good relationship
with your doctor can make medication adherence more likely, especially when you
need to experiment with different drugs to find a good fit.
Sclerosis Center of Atlanta, says finding the right treatment isn’t easy
because the disease affects everyone differently. Having a good relationship
with your doctor can make medication adherence more likely, especially when you
need to experiment with different drugs to find a good fit.
Have the Awkward Conversation
When your MS doctor asks how you feel, you may find it
easy to mention numbness, weakness, vision problems, loss of coordination,
dizziness, and fatigue, which are all common symptoms in MS.
easy to mention numbness, weakness, vision problems, loss of coordination,
dizziness, and fatigue, which are all common symptoms in MS.
Would you also freely talk about more intimate concerns?
These also are symptoms of MS:
These also are symptoms of MS:
Loss of bowel control
Painful constipation
Inability to orgasm
Peeing during sex
Forgetting what to do at work
Sometimes people don’t bring such issues to their
doctors’ attention, says Pavan Bhargava, MD, assistant professor of neurology
at Johns Hopkins University Medical School. “I think embarrassment is a factor,
or patients selectively leave out things they think aren’t related to MS,” he
says. “Patients need to know that MS can affect a broad spectrum of things that
have a huge impact of quality of life, and that there are ways to improve a lot
of them.”
doctors’ attention, says Pavan Bhargava, MD, assistant professor of neurology
at Johns Hopkins University Medical School. “I think embarrassment is a factor,
or patients selectively leave out things they think aren’t related to MS,” he
says. “Patients need to know that MS can affect a broad spectrum of things that
have a huge impact of quality of life, and that there are ways to improve a lot
of them.”
Lazarus agrees. “Sometimes it can be very uncomfortable
for patients to talk about some of the more intimate ways MS affects you, but
it’s the only way we can help,” he says.
for patients to talk about some of the more intimate ways MS affects you, but
it’s the only way we can help,” he says.
Talk About Treatment Goals
Trying multiple therapies throughout the course of your
disease is common. Doctors will recommend a switch if you’re on a
disease-modifying drug that isn’t working well enough or if you find the side
effects tough to handle.
disease is common. Doctors will recommend a switch if you’re on a
disease-modifying drug that isn’t working well enough or if you find the side
effects tough to handle.
Before you start taking a new drug, ask your doctor what
to expect. Will you have different side effects? Will you start to feel better?
How will you know if it’s working?
to expect. Will you have different side effects? Will you start to feel better?
How will you know if it’s working?
Bhargava says people with MS are often concerned when
they don’t feel better because they don’t know that isn’t what the drugs are
designed to do. “The goal is to prevent new lesions so that the disease does
not get worse over time,” he says.
they don’t feel better because they don’t know that isn’t what the drugs are
designed to do. “The goal is to prevent new lesions so that the disease does
not get worse over time,” he says.
To feel better both physically and mentally, you’ll
probably need to add treatments that improve your MS symptoms, not the course
of the disease. Some examples include:
probably need to add treatments that improve your MS symptoms, not the course
of the disease. Some examples include:
- Physical therapy
- Muscle relaxants
- Medications to reduce fatigue
- Antidepressants
- Treatments for bladder or bowel problems
- Pain relievers
If these approaches don’t give you enough relief, work
with your doctor to find options that will. “I was in a lot of pain, and
narcotics make my neuralgia worse,” Kramer says. “My current doctor suggested
acupuncture could help. Now I’m not at all struggling with pain.”
with your doctor to find options that will. “I was in a lot of pain, and
narcotics make my neuralgia worse,” Kramer says. “My current doctor suggested
acupuncture could help. Now I’m not at all struggling with pain.”
Know Your Options
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