A New Strategy
 

I have MS and Crohn's disease. Both are autoimmune diseases (so they think). I have had Crohn's disease since 1990 and MS since (2004 or 06 depending on how you count your start date). The doctors feel the autoimmune response that has been attacking my digestive system all these years has turned on my neurological system.

So, I began to do some research. I located a doctor that specializes in the immune system (I have actually talked with some of her patients). I have an appt to see if she can provide any help. Most of her patients (not the ones I talked to) are AIDS patients but if this is all traced back to the immune system wouldn't it be smart to attack the root rather than just react to the results?

Has anyone else tried this approach? Do you just stick with your neurologist to treat you.

Hi, GIGI. I am Hypothyroid with Hashimoto's, the autoimmune type. Hashimoto's is frquently hereditary and I fit that bill. I saw a lot of musing on the internet about the relationship between MS and Hypothyroidism but a relationship still didn't really make sense to me, even though I knew it was not uncommon to have more than one autoimmune issue. That is, UNTIL I asked my endocrinologist about this recently. He said "What you inherited was a tendency for your body to make antibodies against itself". Aha!

So personally, although it's still unclear why which things manifest itself in people with these tendencies (I think other things are also at play), I do think you might be onto something.

I presently do not take DMDs so my neurologist doesn't exactly "treat me". ;) However, I take my thyroid medication and supplements that I at least hope are helping me keep MS at bay. (And if what I'm doing is working, maybe it will keep other autoimmune issues at bay as well!)

I'm interested to see what happens as you consult with the doctor -- please keep us posted!

Hi Gigi! I have MS and my 17 year old son has Crohn's. I have read that people with Crohn's are more likely to develop MS than the general population. That really scares me because I already worry about my son so much. This worries more even more since I have MS, it probably raises his risk even more due to genetic factors. It makes sense to me that you would see an immunologist. I have never mentioned any of this to my son. I don't plan on it in the near future. He is too young to worry about another health issue. I will be keeping a close eye on him though for any MS signs and so will his gastro. Please let me know how the immunologist deals with your situation. I really hope it goes well for you!

Hi Regina~ I was told by my Neuro and Rheumy that it's not unusual for a person to have more than one autoimmune. I have 3 dx's.

I don't think it ever hurts to get more opinions or to research your health. Good luck....

I am in ms limbo, and my other dxs are not immune in nature. That said, I'll add this....

I think treating an immune disorder's sx and not the root of the problem is like taking a pain pill for a broken leg and not setting the bone.

Problem is how do you treat an immune disorder?

My theory is, take decent care of the whole body - diet, exercise, blah blah blah lol. And try not to get sick ( colds, flu, etc) because those are the things that ramp up immune responses, which in turn exacerbate the immune diseases.

does that make sense?

And no, I don't put all my eggs in the neuro's basket. I have a wonderful PCP/internist and pain doc too. I would seek council with a nutrinionalist if such were available - but then I'd need a cook too.

:o

If I read GIGI correctly, I think that's her point. The available treatments for MS don't even really treat the root of the problem. They know what happens but not why.

I think it's an interesting approach to at least explore but I sure agree with you about the real riddle! I wish someone WOULD figure out how to treat immune disorders and cure us from attacking ourselves! :)

Wow, I'm excited for you! Tell us what all this is like and how it goes....maybe we should all see someone like this!

Good luck!

i have fibro and ms.
so far i've stuck with my pcp and neuro.

but, i think you've got a great idea.
please let us know what happens.

I was dx with IBD (Ulcerative Colitis) in 1986, and MS in 1991. When I was dx with MS, one of the first things I looked at was the possible connection between these two conditions.

They have been looking at this for a while now:

"A link between IBD and multiple sclerosis has been suspected for some time, but earlier studies have been conflicting. Powerful new drugs used to treat IBD, which block inflammation-causing tumor necrosis factor (TNF -- a part of the immune system), are also suspected of causing multiple sclerosis.

Medications that block TNF like Remicade and Humira are now required to contain labels warning of a possible link to multiple sclerosis and similar conditions. But all agree that their role in the disease is far from clear."

http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-dise...iple-sclerosis

I have used a drug called Sulfasalazine to control the UC attacks, but I haven't been able to figure out if it fits in this class of drugs.

The question remains though, "what came first, the chicken or the egg?" They predict that the trigger for MS occurs in our very early years, so perhaps I actually had MS before UC. :confused:

Cherie