MS Progressive Types: Treatments

The MS community was thrilled in 1993 when the FDA announced approval of the first drug that addressed the disease instead of just symptoms. Approval of Interferon B opened up a whole new world of possibilities for MSers. In the next few years, a family of drugs -- Avonex®, Betaseron®, Copoxane® -- and later, a fourth option -- Rebif® -- became standard treatments as disease-modifying medications for Relapsing/Remitting MS. These standard medications are known collectively by their initials -- the CRAB drugs.

I was first diagnosed before that big announcement. There was no medicine to prescribe for me, but my neurologist assured me there was something in the works that would be just great for me. A few years later Interferon B was approved, but there was a limited supply. Although thousands of MSers were anticipating their trips to the pharmacy, a lottery system was developed to select the lucky few who would actually get the prescription. By the time Betaseron was generally available, I was no longer a candidate because I was slipping into the advanced stage of the disease. What now?

Fast forward to today. Approved drugs for Relapsing/Remitting MS are available, but there is still a lack of treatments for progressive MS types. I currently take no disease-modifying drugs.

Regardless of the type of MS, treatment must still include symptom management. Before there were disease-modifying drugs, MS was treated one symptom at a time. Now there are treatments for the entire disease, but we cannot forget the symptoms. The National MS Society reminds us that overall health and wellness are also important, even with a chronic disease. This applies beyond the physical, to emotional health and a first-rate quality of life.

Health Central has a good description for available MS medicines. Most of them have been approved specifically for the relapsing/remitting type of MS. Many of us have a progressive type, and we could benefit from some type of medical treatment, too. What is available for us?

Secondary Progressive (SPMS)
MSers who are slipping into an advanced stage often continue the treatment plan they were on before the progression began. Only two drugs, Betaseron® and Novantrone®, are approved specifically for SPMS, but these are valid only while there are still relapses.

After relapses completely stop, treatment is ineffective, and there is often no official treatment. However, patients who have been taking Betaseron® are sometimes started on a program of Tysabri® or Novantrone®. Novantrone®, a chemotherapeutic agent, is the only medication that has been approved by the FDA specifically for SPMS, even after relapses have stopped.

Primary Progressive (PPMS)
Generally, PPMS responds poorly to treatment that seems to work for other types of MS. That is because the disease course is more nerve degeneration than inflammation. The National MS Society tells us there are no drugs approved specifically for Primary Progressive MS.