More than 350,000 people in the United States alone live with Multiple Sclerosis. The Multiple Sclerosis Medication they choose becomes as much a part of their life as eating and sleeping.  Chances are, they will be taking it for a long time, since having MS by itself is not shown to reduce the lifespan of the patient, quality of life becomes as much a consideration as symptom relief and reduction of relapse rates.  Some Multiple Sclerosis medication treatment plans to try to modify the course of the disease, while others try to treat symptoms as they occur.  And still others attempt to reduce the rate of relapses.  Some new Multiple Sclerosis medication methods also try to make taking your meds more convenient, either by switching from, say, an intravenous drug to one contained in a tablet to be taken orally at home.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you and your physician may choose one drug over another.

 

Drugs to modify the course of your MS

 

Beta interferons like Avonex, Extavia, and Rebif have been shown to slow the progression rate that makes the symptoms get worse over time.  If you can slow the progression rate, it will be longer, if ever, that your symptoms become as bad as to be debilitating.

Copaxone appears to block your body’s own immune system from attacking myelin.  Myelin acts as a sheath, or cover, over the nerve.  As the myelin is attacked, the nerve is left susceptible, which is what causes the majority of the symptoms and the pain associated with MS.  Any Multiple Sclerosis Medication that can keep the myelin sheath intact and in place will slow the effect that MS has on your body, thus slowing the progression and modifying the course of the MS in your body.

A Multiple Sclerosis Medication new to the treatment options, Gilenya is a once daily oral treatment that seems to trap immune cells in the body’s lymph nodes, thus reducing the number and frequency of attacks (relapses) that cause temporary but sometimes severe short-term disability.

 

MS medication to treat symptoms

 

Medications in this category are to many and varied to attempt a comprehensive listing but a few symptom relieving multiple sclerosis medication alternatives are pain medications, muscle relaxants, and steroids.  Most of the pain is muscle pain caused by spasms and stiffness, usually in the legs. Besides improving muscle spasticity, just relieving pain in conventional ways can help.  This form of Multiple Sclerosis Medication ranges from over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Naproxen and Motrin to prescriptions for narcotic pain relievers and Neurontin.

 

Medication to treat the attacks

 

Corticosteroids are the most commonly prescribed multiple sclerosis medicines.  Drugs in this class like prednisone, and methylprednisolone reduce inflammation that increases dramatically during relapses.  Anything that reduces inflammation during an attack will reduce the accompanying pain, and give welcome relief during the duration of the relapse.  There are so many options to reduce inflammation, only your doctor can help you develop the Multiple Sclerosis medication regimen that will best serve your needs.  But slowing the progression of MS will have the most profound long-term effect on your quality of life.  And with new multiple sclerosis coming to market almost yearly, it is best to keep up with the latest research on your own to discuss with your physician.

 

Options

 

Once diagnosed, your life will be forever changed.  But being proactive in your treatment can be a difference maker and help you feel more in control of your own destiny.  Some patients are amazed that simply changing their diet or exercise routines can make as much or more of an impact on their quality of life as any drug.  Don’t overlook these alternatives in your search for relief.