I went. It ended up being an all day affair, not at the docs, but the drive home (He is 3 hours away, but the trip home was about 5 hours at least).

Anyhow, the MS specialist concurs with the DX. He was amazed at my exam though. He said, "If I didn't have your history and reports in from of me, I'd tell you to go home that nothing is wrong with you."

He did an EVP, one test I did not have. It was normal, thank goodness.

He said with me having the lack of progress that I do, to go on CRABs ASAP. He said the earlier the treatment begins, the better, and the fact that I have only had 2 semi-serious relapses in 8 years, not to borrow trouble. He also doesn't recommend LDN right now, because I am not advanced, I am "normal" other than the clinical, and to save that for if and when traditional meds don't work or I am advancing more.

We discussed CRABs, and based on my lifestyle, he agrees copaxone is a good start for me. He said because it was 8 years in between relapses, that I should be fine with the build up time (8-10 months) that it takes copaxone to fully start working. He said if I were having residual troubles that he would recommend an interferon for me.

He said I will be on this for life, but also added that I won't He said there are new advances on the horizon, hopefully a new by mouth med by 2010, and maybe even a cure or something that works MUCH better in my lifetime. He said, of course we can't know for sure, but the scientists remain hopeful.

He was great. He was well informed. Only thing he could not answer was my questions about IV Ozone therapy, which is hydrogen peroxide (basically) mixed with your blood and infused into your body that basically kills viruses that are dormant. It is very alternative, and is in the line of work I do. Once again, he said based on my history, I am not having troubles right now, so lets do preventative. If we move to the point of needing to treat, we will re-evaluate... but right now, we just need to prevent.

Over-all great appointment. Worth it in the end. Going back to my neuro on Monday to discuss what the specialist had to say, and start on the copaxone, I guess.

Now, I am back off to bed. I started getting sick the day before yesterday, and by last night had a fever and a sore throat. YIKES! It is scarey to get sick now, cause the last one led to my bad relapse, so I am trying to keep my fever down and drink lots of water and get lots of rest. I think I just quit my second job, cause I was supposed to work it today. I have not had to call off from a job in over 3 years, and have done so about 4 times already with this one.... great.

I understand his approach on going with a CRAB so "early" in the game.

Interesting that he says leave LDN though, at least until you (MAY) become advanced or traditional meds don't work. I suppose he looks at LDN as a last ditch effort.

LDN can be taken with Copaxone, and if he is inclined to EVER give LDN a try, I'd be pushing to combine the two right now. JMHO.

I agree, the goal would be to stay as healthy as possible, while we wait for a good option to come around.

Sounds like a good neuro you've landed!

Cherie

He does have people on LDN. I could have asked for a prescription, and I am sure he would have given it to me. I didn't get the idea that he looks at it as a last ditch effort, rather than a "treatment." He says I don't need a "treatment" now, I need to be "preventative." Kinda like even though I may become depressed at some point, why "treat" it now when I do not need it. Rather, wait until the time comes where it will do me the best good.

At least that is what I took from it.

He also wasn't very impressed with the results from LDN yet. He says there has not been enough studies done to see the real effects of it - BUT, he does give it to pts he treats. He is hoping more studies are done, because it is pretty harmless as far as side-effects, unless pain is an issue, then you have trouble with pain meds working while taking LDN.

I am still reading up on it. I have some literature to give my neuro, because she isn't familiar with a lot of the "other" treatments for MS, so there may be someone she is seeing that could have a good result with it.

SOOOOOO HAPPY that your appt went well!

Hopefully, your job will be okay....it's like you said, you've hardly ever missed up 'til recently.

Sounds like the specialist really set you mind at ease, too... at least as much as possible for now. I am so glad you went for the 2nd opinion. Sounds like he really took his time with you. Good luck with the Copaxone!

Sorry it was such a long trip for you. Try to get some rest!!!
Take Care!
~Friend

i'm glad this appt went well for you.

i'm on copaxone too so if you have any Q's feel free to pm me.
i agree with early tx too.

glad you have a plan of action.