Whatever course you choose you can always change your mind.

If you delayed or declined these drugs at first, do you regret it?

I did not delay, I jumped on the fastest moment I could. I went straight on Betaseron. Many reasons, but felt it was the drug for me. 3 month blood work revealed my liver enzymes were soaring! I set a clinic record. I was yanked. Forced them to give me 2 weeks off, and then started on Copaxone. Took a full year or longer for it to start to work on me. After year 3 I was begging them to take me off it. I felt sick. I couldnt think. I had huge dents in my thighs and arms and belly from the injections. I had reaction after reaction, but they just kept pushing me. I was told how ill I would be if I refused the meds, and the rates of those who take meds, vs those who dont and I felt worse and worse.

I did regret taking them

Long story short I quit. I did my own research. The drugs were making me way sicker than MS ever could. Now, thats not to say that MS wont raise its head and smack me silly, but FOR ME and I cant stress that enough FOR ME! DMDs were not the answer.

What do I do instead of DMDs

its hard work to not take the DMDs because you have to accept responsibility for your choice. I eat right, I exercise. I eat a clean diet (the makers diet) and I eat small portions. I watch my weight (30 pounds lost!) and I exercise EVERYDAY! even on days when I dont feel I can handle it. If I cant go out for a walk (the best exercise) I do Wii or arm lifts or chair exercises or Yoga. I try hard to keep my body limber and ready for that cure they keep promising. I see my MD every six months and have my MRI each year. I dont eat MSG or high fructose corn syrup, or high sodium, high sugar foods. I eat whole, raw, organic when I can, and when it needs to be cooked I pick the healthy choice. More fish than other stuff, and I take my suppliments.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose. Its a hard choice no matter which lane you pick. In the end you can only pick what is right for YOU and YOUR family.

Welcome to NT! I you will find lots of information and support here. I'm sorry about your definite dx. but know that you are not alone in what you are going through and we are here to help you through this.

As for your questions . . . I didn't delay in taking a DMD. I was dx in January 2006 and started C in March of 2006. I was on it until my prescription ran out. I have not been on it for several months and, quite frankly, I don't miss it at all. However, I question my decision as I seem to be having more symptoms. It could just be coincidental and I had a really bad flare almost a year ago that I'm finally coming out of. Also, there are other options available other than the DMD's. There are quite a few people on NT that take LDN. There are others that take oral meds, and others of us don't take anything. It comes down to a personal choice and given your other medical issues any meds will need careful consideration.

If I were your friend, I would never tell you that you are dumb as a box. I would tell you to consider each option and pick what is going to be best for you. Each of us is different and we react differently to medications. Research, learn, talk with your dr., and then make a decision.

Good luck with your neuro appt. Let us know how it goes.

Hi Whoopddo. I was 1st DXed in 1975 and had my 1st symptoms in 1964.. The only available med was Prednizone and they gave me small doses of that to take, for awhile. It didn't faze my MS.

I went into a full remission and deniel for 17 years. The MS came back with a vengence in 1993. I did 3 days of IVSM, in the hospital. I chose not to jump on Beta, at the time, but later tried Avonex and Copaxone for 7 mos & 10 mos, concluscively...Didn't work for me.

The only med I regret not starting earlier is LDN, which I am on now since 2003. It has helped halt the radical proggression of disabiliy. And it improves my QOL!

MS is an idividual disease with diff. causes/triggers and many of us do not respond to them, other than making us feel sicker, and yet the NMSS heavily suggests that we start on a DMD as early as possible.

If a DMD were available to me in 1976, the Docs would have attributed my long remission to the DMD. But MS does it's own thing and I don't think any of the DMDs can stop it.

The choice is yours, don't be bullied into choosing yes, if your better judgement says no.

Welcome to NT...sorry you have the invitation of MS that got you here...

I am on C and have been on it for 3 years. I have had very slow progression, and my doc first told me my MS is benign, but he doesn't say that anymore, since I have gait/balance problems and cognitive problems.

You have to make your own decision...but make sure it is an informed one. Do the research...I have read that when we are diagnosed at an older age, MS progresses more quickly (I personally think it's because we've had it for years and were undiagnosed).

Anyway, lots of good info from others; exercise; eat right; get enough sleep, and make sure to pace yourself throughout the day.

Good luck and let us know what you decided...