This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Is anyone else on this treatment? I have received two infusions so far with no adverse effects. My neurologist STRONGLY recommended that I start this unapproved treatment. I did really well on Mito, but I have reached the maximum number of doses - and my MRI is a mess again. He feels these treatments will keep my disease in check until tyserbi reaches the market. I still feel like a guinea pig, starting a new med based on a recommendation with little research to base my decision on. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi,
I recall a trial about Intrathecal Methotrexate some time ago. This job was presented at one of the annual conferences on MS.

As far as I recall, altought Methotrexate given thru standard means is not very effective for most people, it showed good results given in this way. I believe it showed stable or improved EDSS for a remarkable portion of the participants of the trial and in general was quite positive.

I would suggest you run a search on google or any other search engine, with the words Intrathecal Methotrexate MS and/or similar combinations.

I know this post may sound vague without figures and details but I hope it gives you some hints in your search.

Hugs

Riccardo

gr8ful,

I missed my normal train so had 30 mins to kill at work. Hope you find the following post on Intrathecal Methotrexate interesting. I said 2006 might be a good year!

Ian

http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/sho ... hp?t=67801


Read the first post and the last (trial results)

I had four intrathecal methotrexate treatments in 2004-2005. Though my doctor is a big advocate of these treatments, they did absolutely nothing for me. Doc claims an amazing success rate, but, alas, I found no relief. BTW, I'm PPMS, and rapidly progressing. Next step is ten days of IV steroids in May...

Treatments were easy to take though, with no side effects to speak of. The thread quoted by Bromley above is in fact one I started, so this info is straight from the horse's mouth...

Thanks for the quick responses. My neuro, Dr. Sadiq is running trials so it's hard not to think he's a little biased about ITMTX. When I went for the treatment last week, he numbed me up but could not get the needle in so he switched spots. He forgot to use more anesthetic - making the procedure extremely painful, almost intolerable.
Sorry for being so judgmental. I would not want to scare anyone away from seeking aggressive treatment. I know he has my best interests in mind. He has a busy practice and I am sure it was just a particularly busy day. I would have to say he has always returned my calls and gets me into the office when I need to be seen. I was just venting some of my frustrations with the disease. Unlike other neurologists I have seen, who practice look/see medicine, he is taking an active role in aggressively fighting my disease. I feel he is a great doctor and would recommend him to anyone.

Dr. Sadiq is my doc too. I think he's a brilliant man, but he does have a bit of an agenda, or a bias towards his own research treatments. I've been begging to try Rituxan for my PPMS, but he doesn't believe it would be effective, so no dice. Meanwhile I've progressed distressingly in the last 12 months.

He is reporting very encouraging results with his stem cell research. I'm hoping to be one of his next lab rats...

Can't believe he forgot to numb you up! He never actually injected me, it was always one of his associates...

Can't hurt to get a second, or third, opinion, especially if he's misdiagnosed you once...

My view of medical professionals diminishes daily. Sadiq is actually one of the good ones. Between the insurance racket and lack of real answers, I get the feeling going to a witch doctor might be just as effective for many conditions...

Best of luck, I hope the Meth works for you...