That little MS voice

The MS pill is coming (maybe a year away).  Hang in there.

Hi Gina,

So very cool - You have the POWER of the remote!!!

Isn't it odd when you later see someone who you had coached or taught years ago all grow up and successful?  I've experienced that with former students and it always makes me feel SO OLD.

We can't have a crystal ball through which to peak into the future, which is probably a very good thing since it might not be pleasant to see.  There are just so many uncertainties with MS that we can never really know.

Thank you for giving me something to ponder today.

Lisa

When our life changes drastically, we always think about the life we left behind.  I think we all do that to some extent especially as we grow older.  I have a friend who uses this phrase with me that we used to be "women of promise."  Prior to kids and autism and now MS for me...I was on a career track to keep going to school and get my doctorate degree.  But things change due to both choice and circumstance.  I believe that everyone is eventually hit with something which will knock them to their knees.  MS just happens to be our thing. 

It is hard to deal with being reminded of what could have been and for you...so blatently displayed on your tv. 

So yeah...it is hard. 

Here is hoping for better drugs....ones that we can afford...or better yet a cure!

Hi Gina: 

Once again, you have hit a nail on the head.  The fear of potential symptoms is what alot of MSers weigh in when they are considering a drug therapy.  I absolutely believe doctors "use" that fear to sway patients to start on some drug - but the choices they suggest absolutely boggle my mind.  What makes one drug more preferable to another by a doctor?  Our lifestyles certainly are a primary factor in choices, but I can't stand when doctors push one drug over another. Makes me think that drug reps are pushing certain drugs to docs to get widespread circulation.

I am one of the few MSers who, when first diagnosed, tried alot of "proffered therapies" that (at the time) docs thought would be most beneficial (they are listed in my blog).  And then I threw in the towel.

I treat flares with IVSM and prednisone. I have never even given the CRAB drugs a try and don't intend to. Tysabri is being "pushed" at me by my present neuro and I have no interest in starting any MS drugs. After 33 years with MS, I have learned my body's needs and how it reacts to the dis-ease and have adapted accordingly.  Of course it is not for everyone, but it is what has worked best for me.

Everytime I have relented and "tried" something a neuro offered, I have ended up worse off than when I started.  Nowadays, newly diagnosed MSers are started on a drug immediately.....there is no wait and see.  In this day and age, patients want to see a medication offered to them to fix what is wrong...and they want instant results. 

Unfortunately, they all come with baggage --- side effects.  I already had enough "stuff" going on in my body and after various therapies (plasmaphoresis, long term decadron, various chemotherapies to shrink lesions, IV ACTH for adrenal stimulation, five doses of interferon which almost killed me), I made the decision I would be better off with no "therapies".  I researched and researched until I knew every piece of written literature, published and non published, and developed my plan for myself. It gets tweaked from time to time, but it still works for me.

So the what if's do not come my way.  I have no regrets in my choices.

Thank you for your post.  It certainly stirred me up!! LOL