This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hi, I'm new on here and have just introduced myself in the new member's area. I'm currently waiiting for a diagnosis but am expecting to be told I have MS (mri shows multiple scattered lesions/lumbar shows the oligiclonal bands/I have optic neuritis & numbness/tingling) My question is, if I have got ms, how soon would I need to start taking medication? I'm breastfeeding my 8 month old and would ideally like to wait til he's no longer b/feeding before I take any medication's. Do you have to start injections straightaway? Also, do you get to choose which drug you take? Copaxone sounds best to me? Also, do all the injections cause weightgain? I have so many questions!

i never started any meds till a year after i got diagnosed, if you choose to go that route

there are a few things you can do if you choose to delay the shots which i dont believe even works

diet
upper cervical care chiropractics

Hi, thanks for replying. I've read a fair bit about diet and also vitamin d. Which sort of diet do you follow? I've been vegetarian since age 11 (I'm 33 now!) and I don't eat dairy either. Would this help? What does the chiropractics involve exactly? Oh and one last question, why do think the shots don't work/which drug do you take? I'm keen to avoid drugs for as long as possible as my dad died of liver failure last year which was caused by mexthotrate but the doctor's hadn't bothered to monitor his liver function.

You do not have to start taking drugs until you are ready, i.e. you will have some time to think about what you want to do. I am on the best best diet, supplements (includes vitiamn d) and copaxone. Copaxone has very little side effects, does not effect your liver. I have been on Copaxone for six years now, no weight gain. I have had no problems with MS since my first and only attack.

Thank you for your reply. Copaxone would be my first choice if I get to choose a dmd because I've read that it has less of the flu-like symptom's. Do all the drugs cause weightgain? It's a minor worry compared to the damage caused by ms but even so, I'd rather not gain weight! I feel better for hearing that you;ve taken it for 6 yrs and are keeping well. Was your first attack severe?

http://www.facebook.com/notes/direct-ms ... 5534099954

there is other studies but im not real good at searching

im not on any special diet, well microwaveable diet.
the chiropractic involved in gentle pressure on your neck, no twisting, cracking

You know, the spine thing would make a lot of sense. I started getting sciatica 5 yrs ago with my eldest child & I've had terrible trouble with my back & neck since my youngest was born earlier this year. Might look into this more.

do you recall any type of head or neck trauma in your life eg. any falls, whiplash, anything of that sort ?

Nothing major. We had a car crash a couple of months before the onset on the optic neuritis but I only jolted my neck/head slightly

nothing 15,20,30 years ago? it could be multiple minor injuries

i have multiple injuries building up to my ms that i thought was minor, my first symptom came from a minor fall doing hand stands

just that kind of accident can do it though

An article you may be interested in:

http://www.empowher.com/multiple-sclero ... est-result