[Kitty]

There are a lot of different medications to help alleviate the symptoms of MS.

Which ones have helped you the most? Which ones have not helped at all or caused too many side effects to be considered helpful?

[SallyC]

LDN and SSRIs have helped me the most.

LDN keeps me feeling strong and well and I believe has slowed/stopped the progression of my MS.

Paxil, Buspar and Prozac have taken away the pain of anxiety and depression.

Avonex may have stopped my exacerbations for the 1/2 year I was on it, but it made me so sick, it didn't matter.

Copaxone did nothing to slow the progression of dissability. So stopped after 10 months.

How about you Kelly?

[carbreezy]

Hi.. Great question Kitty...
Hope others will share their experience....
I have not had my spinal tap yet .... so still learning..

[doydie]

Detrol!!!!!! Who knows, I may have ended up having that problem anyway but it wasn't stress inconitence like a lot of 'mature' women have, it was urge incontinence which I think is more MS. And my Elavil and klonipen for all my leg symptoms like hot, tingly, restless especially at bedtime

[Sparky10]

After I was diagnosed in '00 I took Avonex for 3 years. After that I did the lifetime dose of Novantrone. The symptoms that drove me to seek medical help are still around just barely, except the fatigue that comes from physical exertion. Even that is much relieved since beginning chiropractic care.

Is the Avonex and Novantrone the reason I'm in good shape and very active? There is absolutely no way to know.

For day-to-day symptoms I take:

1. Escitalopram (generic Lexapro) for PBA (Pseudobulbar Affect). If I miss a few days worth I will cry for no reason.
2. Baclofen, 20 mgs 3 or 4 x a day, for spasticity. It used to work alone but eventually had to add:
3. Diazepam (generic Valium), 2mgs 3 x a day. If I miss even 1 dose of this combo I'll wake up with leg cramps or not be able to move until after a full-body seize-up.
4. Ampyra helps me walk. It's nothing I really notice but I can tell when I've missed a dose or 2. My legs will feel very heavy again.

I have some bladder leakage, and the rare bowel incontinence, but not enough to add to the pill pack.

[kicker]

Detrol and Vesicare did not wow me with my kind of Urine incontinence but Oxtbutynin (increase capacity of bladder, not decreases spasms which was not my problem) really worked. Everyone is so different. Provigil had an adverse effect on me (opposite) and made me more tired, Amantadine helps some. Hydro/Acetamine does nothing but Valium knocks me off my feet into unconsciousness!

[Erika]

What a great topic thread!

On the most effective side:

Baclofen for management of spasm, pain and sleep disturbance has been the most beneficial for me.

Diclofenac topical anti-inflammatory lotion has been the most beneficial, with the fewest side effects for control of swelling and pain in localized areas (joints, muscles and tendons.) I use it when any of these areas have become inflamed, injured or strained due to injuries, falls, severe spasticity etc.

LDN has basically given me back my cognitive function, reduced fatigue and taken the edge off of most other symptoms.


On the least effective side:

These mostly have to do with producing side effects so severe for me, so as to strike using them (at least regularly or over the long term) off the list of possibilities. It is worth mentioning that there are also other inflammatory and metabolic conditions present besides MS in my case.

- Steroids (IV or oral) causes digestive dysfunction (malabsorption, cramping) and liver function to take a life threatening dive in short order
- OTC anti-inflammatory medications cause digestive tract dysfunction as well as liver stress and bleeding problems after about the 4th dose

With love, Erika

[offinthedistance]

Most effective at taking away tingling, pain and sharp shooting things; Lyrica.
Most effective for side effects of vague, dizzy hangover feeling; lyrica.

[Kitty]

The only med I take specifically for MS symptoms is Baclofen. I take one tablet before bed so my legs won't keep me awake. Sometimes I'll take one during the day if the spasticity worsens. Usually I can ignore it as long as I'm not trying to fall asleep.

I also take Aleve for any other pain......MS related or not.

[Blessings2You]

Probably the least effective was Provigil. I never could find a good time of day to take it, and it gave me nightmares. Plus I wasn't impressed with its efficacy in keeping me alert. I told me neuro, never mind, I'll have a dose of diet coke if I need to be alert. Or at least alert-er.