I know it isn't cureable, but can be treated. So what is the first step to helping this? I have been dealing with these problems for years and now they think it is MS, boy I knew that awhile ago. Doctors would not listen, until now...... I am scared and wish I could have my old life back.

Hi Heather, there are a bunch of DMDs out there to treat MS. The odds are about 30% that they will work. You may decide to try them and maybe you will find the one that works for you. I hope so.

I tried Avonex and then copaxone. Neither one worked for me, so I didn't have the heart to try any more. I decided to treat the symptoms instead, with LDN(low dose naltrexone). It seems to help me feel better, stronger and MS symptoms have not progressed to worse.

I hope you find some relief, while waiting for a cure..

I've been on Copaxone for 3 years now...I guess it's working

On lots of meds for the sxs, tho...

I took Avonex for several month but couldn't stand the side effects, after having attact after attack I decided to take LDN, that is the best thing I have done, I've had no attacks since on it, 6 years ago, no side effects. I started with 3 mg. now I'm on 4.5 mg. I still have symptom now and then, but haven't been on steriods for 6 years.
Good luck on what you do.

Hi 2Hope,

I have been on Avonex for 14 years. I began within 6 weeks of my dx. For me after the first shot I had almost no side effects. Just took my Advil every 4 hours. I know I was not typical and I was lucky.

But the Avonex did not keep the flares away entirely, so after 18 months we added Imuran to my treatment. Since that point I have been stable. No new symptoms or flares. Again I am lucky.

2 years ago I dropped the Imuran, still stable. Of course the question is, am I stable because I have a mild course or did the drugs help. I guess I believe its a little of both.

Only those who really know me, know about my MS. I have met several others MSers who also have no apparent outer symptoms. But we are not alike, because we all manage this disease differently. We are all effected in different ways. We are like snowflakes.

Hopefully you will have a mild course. Keep an open mind. This disease can be managed. But its not one size fits all. Take suggestions from this board, but remember we are all different. What works for me may not work for you.

Be open to the possibilities, be prepared to be flexible.