Newly Dx: Torn on treatment options. Help?
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:14 pm
Hi there,
I'm a 37 year old male who's diagnosis was confirmed 1 month ago. The story goes; I was in a minor car accident in June of 2011 and during the CT scan an abnormality was noticed. Three MRI's and a LP later I have been diagnosed with relapsing-remitting. Until the time of the car accident only one episode stands out (5 weeks prior to the MVA) that was a MS exacerbation. I had numbness and tingling down a leg and increased heat in my thigh for a week. Maybe a couple of optic flare ups over the years but nothing confirmed. I have been to my neurologist, Oregon Health Sciences University and a Chinese Herbalist/ Acupuncturist. My neurologist and OHSU want me to begin Avonex ASAP, while my Alternative practitioner wants me to try Alternative Treatments to begin with (diet, herbal supplements, acupuncture). There are several (20+) lesions present on my MRI scans (although only 1 new in 6 mos). I'm torn on a treatment decision. My heart tells me to wait on the conventional treatments, but the scientist in me tells me otherwise.
Anyone tried only alternative treatments? Any advice is welcome. My rationale is this: I would not have known if not for the MVA. I do not experience many symptoms, although I'm beginning to notice some numbness in my arm and increased fatigue (my alternative doc says is diet related and mineral deficiencies). Argh, so torn!!!
My apprehension of beginning Avonex is the immediate side effects and the unknown of long term side effects.
Thank you for any advice, and I would like to say that I am here for anyone, anytime.
- John
I'm a 37 year old male who's diagnosis was confirmed 1 month ago. The story goes; I was in a minor car accident in June of 2011 and during the CT scan an abnormality was noticed. Three MRI's and a LP later I have been diagnosed with relapsing-remitting. Until the time of the car accident only one episode stands out (5 weeks prior to the MVA) that was a MS exacerbation. I had numbness and tingling down a leg and increased heat in my thigh for a week. Maybe a couple of optic flare ups over the years but nothing confirmed. I have been to my neurologist, Oregon Health Sciences University and a Chinese Herbalist/ Acupuncturist. My neurologist and OHSU want me to begin Avonex ASAP, while my Alternative practitioner wants me to try Alternative Treatments to begin with (diet, herbal supplements, acupuncture). There are several (20+) lesions present on my MRI scans (although only 1 new in 6 mos). I'm torn on a treatment decision. My heart tells me to wait on the conventional treatments, but the scientist in me tells me otherwise.
Anyone tried only alternative treatments? Any advice is welcome. My rationale is this: I would not have known if not for the MVA. I do not experience many symptoms, although I'm beginning to notice some numbness in my arm and increased fatigue (my alternative doc says is diet related and mineral deficiencies). Argh, so torn!!!
My apprehension of beginning Avonex is the immediate side effects and the unknown of long term side effects.
Thank you for any advice, and I would like to say that I am here for anyone, anytime.
- John