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Just a general question, what is the best med at the onset of MS with little or no side effects?

Bellalisimo wrote:Just a general question, what is the best med at the onset of MS with little or no side effects?

I'm sorry to say that there is no universally recognized "best" med to treat MS, either at the onset or later, and there is no "cure." All of the official MS treatments are basically powerful, expensive, and have some serious potential side effects. It's kind of a tossup which one you choose, and one's neurologist often has an opinion, although they often say (like MY first neuro did), "You have MS. Pick a drug. It doesn't matter which one."

At that time (2003) all the mainstream MS meds were injections with serious side effects; now there are several newer meds that are oral, but have the potential to cause even more serious side effects -- including PML (brain wasting disease) and even death. And NONE of them have been developed to cure MS, or even to improve symptoms, but only to 'possibly' lower the incidence of relapses. Slightly. Maybe.

There are separate forums here at ThisIsMS for each of the many official MS meds, where people offer their experiences & opinions, so I urge you to do some research. Each of us seems to have our own completely unique version of MS and each person seems to react differently to the medications used to treat it.

So, I'm sorry I don't have a good answer, except that it's important to research your options and consult with your doctor. And feel free to ask more questions.

Best of luck!

P.S.

I might also add that, in my opinion, the very best thing a person can do for MS (or any other medical condition...) is try to optimize one's overall health with a healthy diet (I don't believe in any specific MS diets...), plenty of exercise, & plenty of sleep. And I've found that my absurd sense of humor has been helpful as well.

I'm sorry if my med post above made it seem hopeless, because I don't feel that way at all. My story is that, after years of weird, MS-type experiences (that I attributed to childhood whiplash incidents and injuries), I decided to make it easier on myself and get my body healthier. I cut sugary, greasy, crappy food out of my diet, added daily exercise, lost weight, and got so healthy after about 15-20 years of that approach that the day I was diagnosed with MS (at age 52) I was feeling stronger/healthier than ever. And it's likely I had MS from at least age 23 -- or maybe even childhood (plus other medical conditions). I know you're concerned about your son, who is also in his twenties, right?

At my dx there seemed no reason whatsoever to bombard myself with drugs after all that time. I feel very fortunate no one ever told me I had MS all those years ago so that I was forced to adopt my healthy lifestyle, which is what made having it so much more bearable. I also have managed to go to physical therapy almost every year since my diagnosis , and they've taught me things that I've incorporated into my own routines.

Another note: I caution people about bombarding themselves with vitamins & supplements, which are NOT totally harmless, no matter what anyone here says. I have personally had more serious side effects from some vitamins & supplements than anything MS has ever done to me!!! Even the ones most often recognized as helpful for MS. (Omega-3s, especially, also vitamin B-12, C, D)

I wish you and your son well!

Thank you so much, its so hard to deal with what his life will be like now, he will be a new dad soon and is wondering how he is going to look after his child now, he cant walk without the aid of someones help and i hope he can get some mobility back so he can at least walk a little better, canes, crutches and even a walker have not helped him due to his right hand being affected too. Thank You