When to start treatment
Since there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, it makes sense that early treatment will yield the best results. Some of the interferon treatments have even been approved for those without a clinical definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (Australia recently approved Betaferon for those situations).
That's not to say someone who thinks they have MS, but hasn't been officially diagnosed, should start taking a treatment immediately. It is, like everything else, an individual decision that should be made with the help of a neurologist. Finding a good neurologist means many of these problems are solved - they are the experts and can guide people in the right direction.
Comments
It's unfortunate, but many Neurologists seem to be at a loss when they encounter their first MS patient. They seem to think it's ok to let the diagnosed PICK which drug they want to try. I suppose they don't have much of a choice though given the level of experience many have with the disease. I suppose after 3 or 4 more patients they get a better idea, but who wants to be a lab rat? One up side is that they understand that treatment must start immediately to extend the useful living years of the patient.
Posted by: mdmhvonpa | November 26, 2006 03:55 AM
Funny you mention the choice some neurologists will give. My initial neurologist (who missed my diagnosis for nine months and practiced the philosophy that I should be kept in the dark so as not to scare me) gave me the three pamphlets from the three ABC drugs and told me to decide for myself. That's one of the many reasons I sought a second opinion. My second, and current, neurologist did a great job explaining the differences between the treatments and made a recommendation. I felt like that was his job.
Posted by: J | November 26, 2006 04:27 AM