Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive, and disabling disease. Sticking to your treatment plan is the best strategy to manage MS. Continuing your medications as recommended by your doctor, whether they are disease-modifying medications or medications to manage specific MS symptoms, plays a large role in that plan.
But why is adhering to MS treatment so important?
MS experts recommend that anyone who has been diagnosed with MS start treatment as soon as possible with the right treatment. Their recommendations are based on studies that conclude that starting treatment early with the right medication helps slow the progression of MS and increase the chances of stopping or delaying disability. Research has also shown that permanent damage to the brain and nerves can occur even at the early stages of MS and before a person experiences any symptoms.
By starting your treatment plan early and sticking to it, you will get the most benefit out of your medication. These benefits may include the following:
- slowing the progression of physical disability
- reducing the frequency and severity of relapses
- reducing the number of hospitalizations for MS
- decreasing the need for corticosteroid medications
- slowing the development of new brain lesions as shown on an MRI scan
- improving quality of life
The treatment plan that you and your health care provider decided on may also include eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, rehabilitation, managing stress effectively, and other complementary therapies. Be sure also to continue these as recommended as part of your overall plan to keep MS under your control.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Sticking-with-MS-Treatment
For most people with MS, treatment means long-term medication use. Even though most MS experts recommend continuing medication unless the side effects are unmanageable or the medication is not working or better treatment becomes available, many people do not continue their medication. They may decide to stop after taking it for a few weeks or months.
Taking medications for a long period of time can be difficult for anyone who has a chronic disease. People who have MS may find it especially challenging. Here are some reasons why some people stop their MS medication:
Not experiencing symptoms: MS is an unpredictable disease. Different people experience MS symptoms differently, and over time these symptoms might even change or fluctuate. Some people have not experienced very many symptoms or have had symptoms that went away. They don't see why they should continue or start treatment if they're not experiencing symptoms.
Fear of needles: Most MS medications are given as injections. Many people hate needles and experience anxiety over injecting the medication themselves.
Fear of side effects: Many people may hesitate to take their medication because they fear it may make them feel worse.
MS symptoms: MS itself can make it even more difficult to adhere to treatment. People with MS may have physical issues that make injecting medication, taking pills, or even opening pill bottles difficult. These issues can include coordination problems, tremors, spasticity (involuntary muscle spasms), fatigue, and vision problems. Cognitive impairment and memory issues in people with MS may also make it difficult to remember when and how to take medication.
Expectations and concerns about treatment: MS is a complicated disease. People with MS may decide to stop their medication because of lack of information about the disease, unrealistic expectations about treatment, concerns about medication, or feeling hopelessness about having MS.
The good news is that many of these issues can be addressed – learn how in the next topic, "How to stick with MS treatment."
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Sticking-with-MS-Treatment
Sticking with MS treatment can be challenging. It's not easy to take a medication for a long period of time, and people with MS may face challenges that make sticking to medication even more difficult (see "Obstacles to sticking with MS treatment"). Here are a few ways to help you adhere to your MS treatment.
Set realistic expectations. You need to realize what is realistic and what is not. Setting false expectations will only cause disappointment if your treatment does not work as well as you had hoped. Remember that there is no cure at the moment, but MS medications help treat the underlying disease to help slow the progression of MS, and some even help preserve ability. Find out all the information you can about the medication, including how soon it will start working, what it will do to help your MS, how much improvement you can expect, and any side effects associated with it. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about your MS medication.
Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Your doctor can provide you with reassurance and guidance, as well as address any concerns you have about your MS treatment. Make sure your doctor knows your concerns so that you can manage them together. You should also feel free to talk with any other member of your team of MS health care professionals, like your MS nurse, physical therapist, or pharmacist. Specific issues and possible suggestions include the following:
- If you have a fear of needles, injection training can help you overcome your fear. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to show you how to properly inject yourself. Manufacturers also offer support programs, which can be helpful if you're self-injecting at home.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any side effect concerns you have about your MS medication. Many side effects lessen over time.
- If any physical issues make your medication difficult, consider doing the following:
- For any pills you are taking, ask your pharmacist for non-childproof bottles so that you can open them more easily. Make sure to keep these bottles out of the reach of children.
- For injections, see if your medication is available as a pre-filled syringe or autoinjector, so that you do not have to mix the medication before injecting it. This can make it easier to administer the medication, especially if you have coordination problems or spasticity.
- If you often forget to take your medication, your pharmacist is a good source on what to do to ensure you remember. They can help you simplify your medication routine, especially if you are on a number of different medications. Memory aids such as alarms, calendars, and dosettes/blister packs (medication containers with slots for each day and time, so that you can see whether you've taken a dose) can help.
Your doctor will also be able to make many more suggestions to ensure you are confident in sticking with your medication.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Sticking-with-MS-Treatment
