Tuesday, June 01, 2010 Callie asks

Q: Is rest going to help my flare-up?

I was diagnosed in 2005 and since then only had a few mild flare-ups. My first attack was severe I lost all feeling in my right side it was completely paralyzed. I was attmitted into the hospital and there I stayed for seven days. After it was all done they said I had MS because of the lesions on the brain. I tried copaxone and didn't get very good results with it, but stuck with it for two years. I was introduced to naltrexone which has to be compouned into 4.5 mg tablets and started taking that about a year ago. Just recently I saw a new neuroligist and we talked about the benifets of being on a FDA approved treatment and decided to start avonex and continue taking LDN(naltrexone). But now I am feeling that loss of feeling again and I wondered if rest would help, or do I have to go into the hospital for IV steriods?

Callie

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Answers (3)

Lisa Emrich, Health Guide

6/ 5/10 11:36am

Hi Callie,

I honestly can't speak about LDN because I haven't used it nor researched it much at all. I thought that it could be used along side one of the 'CRABS' but that's a question for your doctor.

As far as resting during a relapse, ABSOLUTELY!!! Take time to rest and recover, even if you don't do the steroids. But if you do have to do the steroids, consider doing them as a outpatient. That's what I do. In fact, my neurology center has an infusion nurse on staff and an area where I get my steroids right there in their office. Very convenient. Other folks even get to do their steroids at home with a home nurse who comes by to get them started.

There are other options besides going into the hospital. If you do choose to go with the steroids, here is a post which has some helpful suggestions on how to make the experience a bit easier.

Good luck and I hope you begin to feel better soon.

Callie

6/17/10 2:04pm

Thanks for taking the time to answer me. I am starting to feel better and trying to slow down and take it easy until I fully recover. I just started avonex and all of this came on I was thinking that it was the avonex, but then I thought these sysmtoms are neurological. It is a just coincidence that it all happened at the same time. Thanks again

Callie

djax59

6/ 2/10 2:42pm

callie-that's a hard one to answer because we each have out own ms. when i was first diagnosed 37 yrs ago i would lay down and rest when i had flare-ups-then i started just keeping going and dragging along what didn;t work and they cleared up quicker. that's what worked for me most of the time-you do have to find the fine line between going enuff to keep you going and doing too much and knocking yourself out-and i know that it is a very fine line.djax59

Callie

6/ 3/10 7:48am

Thanks for the advise. I think I will just try the less invasive way first, so I am not putting all of those harsh meds in my body.

Callie

tellnhelen

6/ 3/10 11:17pm

From what I understand it's dangerous to take any of the so-called "crab" drugs and LDN at the same time. My docs pressured me to take these FDA approved drugs BUT I decided not to because they only slow down by 30%. Not enough for me to stop my LDN which seems to be working well. I think the medical community will come up with something that compliments LDN. Until then I refuse to let docs pressure or scare me into taking drugs that (by their own admission) only work 30% of the time.

I took Avonex for 10 years and was very dissapponted to end up in the hospital (just like you) only now I must use a walker and scooter for mobility. The LDN seems to help my balance and my stamina snd strength....Avonex did not. It was a big decison for me as I'm sure it will be for you. Which ever way you go, remember exercise and diet are critical

Callie

6/ 4/10 7:12am

Thank you for your response. How long have you had MS and what was your first diagnosis and has it changed since the first diagnosed episode? You said your taking LDN how long have you been taking it for and what is your dosage. I found that it really helped me, but I guess we can never really be sure. I hope you get stronger and do not need assistance walking. Have you read the information on fetal stem cell research it's not done in the US, but it is interesting and sounds promising.

Callie

tellnhelen

6/ 4/10 11:02am

Hello Callie

I was dxed in the eary '90s. I was 42 at the time. They said it was RRMS. I believe I had itr long before I went to a doctor....a long time before. At first it wasn't too bad. I would have bad days occassionally or might trip up a step and even occassionally fall but fgor the most part life was fairly normal. I began using a cane after tearing my rotator cuff and fracturing my ankle close together. After that I also began taking Avonex which I did for 10 years. After a major flarein Mar 09 I lost confidence in Avonex and began looking for an alternative. I know a number of MSers that take no drugs but are doing well. My investigation lead me to LDN. After attending the LDN conference in Oct 09 I began taking LDN in Nov. I started at two 1.5 mgs per day. Now I am at 4.5 mgs per day. Of course I take it at bedtime.

I REALLY want to repeat that EVERYTHING I have read says that you should NOT take Avonex or any beta interferon while taking LDN. PLEASE check this out with your LDN doctor.

It is true that there is no cure for MS yet and true we don't know how to fix it. Given that fact, I came to the conclusion that I want to persue a path that have fewer negative side effects. I have a bias against organized medicine. I believe they treat individuals "by the numbers". I also believe that "one size doesn't fit all". So YOU are the ONLY one who can decide what to do. Be careful...GOOD intentions are not always enough.

I wish you good luck....

BE WELL

I don't know alot about stem cells but I did have the liberation procedure for CCSVI....It has not done much for me though. I seem to do better with old-fashioned exercise and diet

Q: Is rest going to help my flare-up?

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