Steer clear of certain multiple sclerosis treatments
In the complex world of managing Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a variety of medications and strategies are available to help patients navigate the challenges of this debilitating disease. Here's a closer look at some of the most common medications, their potential side effects, and management strategies for various symptoms.
Multiple Sclerosis Medications
- Interferon-beta preparations such as Avonex and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) are moderately effective MS medications with less serious side effects. However, they can still cause injection site reactions, flushing, shortness of breath, rash, chest pain, liver problems, and skin damage.
- Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) also has potential serious side effects, including liver problems and skin tissue damage.
- Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), a multiple sclerosis medication, has potential serious side effects including kidney and autoimmune problems, stroke, infusion reactions, increased cancer risk, overactive immune system, liver inflammation, blood cell reductions, brain infections, increased infection risk, bleeding conditions, thyroid conditions, and blood clotting problems. Some adverse effects can be fatal and may occur long after treatment.
- Fingolimod (Gilenya) is associated with vision and neurological complications plus infection risks. Severe worsening of MS symptoms or disability after stopping the drug, lasting 12 to 24 weeks, macular edema (swelling in the eye) causing vision changes, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), serious lung problems, and serious liver problems are some of the potential serious side effects.
- Natalizumab (Tysabri) carries a serious risk of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), a life-threatening viral brain infection, and an increased risk of infections. The medication blocks immune cells from entering the brain, which can reduce MS activity but also increase infection risks.
Symptom Management
- Management strategies for bowel dysfunction include eating a high fiber diet, drinking an adequate amount of fluids, and undergoing bowel training.
- Strategies for spasticity include balance training and stretching.
- Management strategies for cognitive dysfunction involve compensatory methods.
- Strategies to address sensory symptoms, such as tingling or pain, include the topical application of capsaicin acid cream and meditation.
- Management strategies for swallowing difficulties include diet modification and exercise programs to strengthen the muscles that ease swallowing.
- Management strategies for bladder control problems involve using absorbent pads, limiting caffeine intake, and doing pelvic floor exercises.
- Strategies for sexual dysfunction involve prosthetic devices for males and lubrication and increased stimulation for females.
- Management strategies for tiredness include assistive devices and techniques for energy conservation and work simplification.
- Management strategies for walking problems include fall prevention training and the use of mobility aids.
- Management strategies for slurred speech include speech and language therapy and the use of alternative communication devices.
Living with MS
For those with mild MS, discussing the risks and benefits of newer drugs such as fingolimod (Gilenya), natalizumab (Tysabri), and alemtuzumab (Lemtrada) with their doctor is crucial. Antidepressants are a common management strategy for mood changes. Lifestyle changes, such as increased exercise, can improve fatigue, mood, insomnia, cognition, mobility, muscle stiffness, and bowel function.
Rehabilitation programs can help people optimize or regain function after a relapse, providing exercise programs, training in energy conservation, the use of adaptive equipment, speech and language pathology, nursing for bowel and bladder management, and vestibular rehabilitation. Adaptive equipment or environmental modifications can help with functional difficulties due to vision loss. Strategies to address vertigo involve vestibular rehabilitation. Strategies for tremors include coordination and balance exercises, special writing and eating utensils.
In conclusion, managing Multiple Sclerosis involves a multi-faceted approach that includes a variety of medications, symptom management strategies, lifestyle changes, and rehabilitation programs. Open communication with healthcare providers is essential to determine the most suitable medication and management plan for each individual.
- Established medications, such as Avonex, Copaxone, Lemtrada, Gilenya, Tysabri, and other treatments, are typically used to manage the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a neurological disorder belonging to the category of chronic diseases.
- Some of these medications, like Alemtuzumab, Fingolimod, and Natalizumab, have potential serious side effects, affecting various health-and-wellness aspects, including liver inflammation, blood cell reductions, brain infections, increased infection risk, bleeding conditions, thyroid conditions, and blood clotting problems.
- Personas living with MS may benefit from following multiple management strategies for different medical-conditions and symptoms, such as bowel training, balance training, stretching, use of capsaicin acid cream, meditation, pelvic floor exercises, diet modification, exercise programs, speech and language therapy, and fall prevention training.
- Science continues to advance therapies-and-treatments for MS, with ongoing research focused on finding new ways to establish more effective medicines and symptom management strategies to enhance the quality of life for those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.
- It is crucial for multiple treaters, such as neurologists, psychiatrists, and rehabilitation specialists, to work collaboratively with persons diagnosed with MS, utilizing an integrated approach to tailor the best medical-conditions management plan for each individual case.
- Health-and-wellness practices, including increased exercise, modified diets, stress-reduction techniques, and participation in medical-related support groups, are essential lifestyle changes to manage the challenges of living with Multiple Sclerosis, promoting optimal wellbeing and helping individuals better cope with the vast array of symptoms and chronic diseases that can arise from this complex neurological disorder.
