Treatment

Aim of the treatment of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is -

To reduce the severity and rate of relapse
To reduce the number of lesions
To delay the progression of the disease

Medication that is capable of modifying the disease are -

1. Beta interferon

This is a useful drug that reduces flare-ups and at the same time, slows the march towards disability that can occur. It is therefore used for-

Relapsing forms of MS
Patients with more than one attack per year
Recovery from flare ups not satisfactory
When new lesions are seen on the MRI

2. Glatiramer (copaxone or co-polymer1)

This is a synthetic form of the protein found in the myelin. It is administered as a single injection daily. It can be used in the relapsing-remitting types when beta interferon cannot be used and it reduces the relapse rate by a third. Side effects-flushing, shortness of breath

3. Natalizumab (tysabri)

This drug has been reported to cause a side effect called progressive multi-focal leucoencephalopathy. It is therefore reserved only for those who do not respond to the other medicines.

4. Novantrone

This is an anti cancer drug and is also reserved for those with severe attacks, rapidly progressing disease that does not respond to other drugs.

Drugs used for symptom reduction and relief include -

1. Cortico steroids -

Can be given orally or intravenously. It reduces inflammation and shortens the flare-ups.

2. Muscle- relaxants -

Baclofen and tizanidine reduces muscle spasticity`

3. To reduce the feeling of fatigue

Amantadine
Modanafil
Aspirin

4. Anti depressants

Tolterodine- To control Urinary urgency and frequency

5. Gabapentine

For controlling the symptoms of ‘burning feet’

6. Physiotherapy – Can help in preventing muscle wastage in a patient who is confined to bed or a wheelchair.

7. Occupational Therapy – Helps the a patient suffering from disability to be able to engage their time in some useful work and sometimes may even help in paying small bills.

Self help measures include - Adequate rest
Sufficient exercise and activities such as swimming can help reduce stress and also prevent wasting of muscles
Avoiding d exposure to extreme heat
Well balanced diet

Periodic counseling helps the patient to come to terms with the condition and lead a less miserable life. The patient should learn how to cope with the disease by

Maintaining a normal routine as far as possible and keeping their morale high, and enrolling with support groups.

Plasmapheresis

When a patient suffers from sudden severe attacks not responding to high doses of steroids, this treatment -a filtering process of the patient’s blood is done to remove antibodies from the blood. It must be used only within 3 months of onset of nervous symptoms for optimum benefit.

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terrica-wisner

i was researching about autoimmune diseases[Multiple Sclerosis to be specific] and current health tech to help curb/manage it and i found this website ww w. naturalherbscentre. com It made a tremendous difference for me I had improved walking balance, muscle strength and improved vision, always thankful for nature that helps in managing these terrible diseases. I???m active now, I can personally vouch for these remedy but you would probably need to decide what works best for you????.

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michele-garvey

After an MRI i was diagnosed of MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. After years on medications, symptoms worsened with tremors on my right hand, numbness and tingling, muscle weakness and loss of speech. Fortunately last year, i learnt about Health Herbs Clinic and their Multiple Sclerosis alternative treatment [ww w. healthherbsclinic. com], the Multiple Sclerosis treatment made a great difference, most of my symptoms including tremors, weakness and others gradually disappeared. I improved greatly over the 6 months treatment, its been a years since the treatment, i have no symptoms. I have a very good quality of life and a supportive family!

shaik92

hii, Me interested in seeking hsct[stem cell transplant] from India.me with rrms 5years post disease activity.Any one who has ms in India would be pyscological help for me.Please responds. Regards shaik

LeoVoisey

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency [CCSVI], or the pathological restriction of venous vessel discharge from the CNS has been proposed by Zamboni, et al, as having a correlative relationship to Multiple Sclerosis. From a clinical perspective, it has been demonstrated that the narrowed jugular veins in an MS patient, once widened, do affect the presenting symptoms of MS and the overall health of the patient. It has also been noted that these same veins once treated, restenose after a time in the majority of cases. Why the veins restenose is speculative. One insight, developed through practical observation, suggests that there are gaps in the therapy protocol as it is currently practiced. In general, CCSVI therapy has focused on directly treating the venous system and the stenosed veins. Several other factors that would naturally affect vein recovery have received much less consideration. As to treatment for CCSVI, it should be noted that no meaningful aftercare protocol based on evidence has been considered by the main proponents of the ???liberation??? therapy (neck venoplasty). In fact, in all of the clinics or hospitals examined for this study, patients weren???t required to stay in the clinical setting any longer than a few hours post-procedure in most cases. Even though it has been observed to be therapeutically useful by some of the main early practitioners of the ???liberation??? therapy, follow-up, supportive care for recovering patients post-operatively has not seriously been considered to be part of the treatment protocol. To date, follow-up care has primarily centered on when vein re-imaging should be done post-venoplasty. The fact is, by that time, most patients have restenosed (or partially restenosed) and the follow-up Doppler testing is simply detecting restenosis and retrograde flow in veins that are very much deteriorated due to scarring left by the initial procedure. This article discusses a variable approach as to a combination of safe and effective interventional therapies that have been observed to result in enduring venous drainage of the CNS to offset the destructive effects of inflammation and neurodegeneration, and to regenerate disease damaged tissue.

Emma1968

I've was diagnosed with primary progressive ms last week. I've. Had no remissions at all I just get worse. I walk with crutches and suffer extreme exhaustion. I'm currently on a 5 day course of methylphenidate 500mg. I'm fed up of people saying think positively . I can think of nothing to be positive about. My old life has gone and I can't accept this new life. Infant it's not a life it's and existence . I feel a burden to my fianc?? and extremely guilty to my children. I have a 5 moth grandson who I can no longer pick up. I'm so so sad. No one understands. My whole family is distraught and I blame myself. I think they'll all be better off without me. Does anybody understand or am I being selfish?

BellaLuna

I am so sorry you feel that way. I too have MS and have been devastated emotionally by the burden but things will change as they always do, so you need to ride the roller coaster for as long as life lets you. No one is ever better off without someone they love!