@WINDUSS 

EditedLast reply

WINDUSS

Feeling confused.........

I was diagnosed with RRMS October 2020 after I had optic neuritis. It appears that my first realapse was 18 years prior to diagnosis where I lost use of my right side but nothing else until last year which then lead to diagnosis. When diagnosed my neurologist advised that I was in the mild scale and did discuss DMT of plegridy or brabio but agreed it was sensible to wait a year until next scan and review if there was any change as I didn't feel it necessary to start treatment straight away due to low activity in symptoms. I have now had my scan and great news no new activity or symptoms therefore I thought it would be carry on as is for another year or until something happens, however spoken with my neurologist and his view seems to have changed to say I'm now mild to moderate leaning more to moderate but says I'm in a grey zone and it's difficult to advise if I should now be starting DMT I need to decide whats right for me but he has now suggested Tecfidera as a option which seems to have more side effects then what they originally offered I'm so confused do I start a treatment or leave it again? Also I thought I would have an annual MRI to monitor activity but the neurologist has said they don't do this, now I've had a scan after inital diagnosis scans will only be done if a major change occurs or relapse is this normal practice? I'm reaching out to my MS nurse but thought I'd ask for you comments too, thanks.
@theatricalbent

That sounds like a difficult thing and hard to know what to choose. Sounds like a good idea to talk to the MS nurse about why the team might have decided to now consider treatment and what the pros and cons are. I was originally offered no treatment with annual MRI head and spine to check progress but then switched hospitals. I'm now on a DMT and an annual MRI is part of the treatment protocol.

@Clary

DMTs! The thing is they are not a cure. DMTs are a preventative treatment. This makes decisions to take them really hard. It is good that so far your MS has not been overly active. Taking a DMT is a bit like taking a painkiller for a painful knee that may happen in a couple of months time. You might have a painful knee but you might not 🤷‍♀️. Do you take the painkiller, which has side effects, or not. Plus, if your knee is effected it will be damaged forever. However, your body can compensate for a while, until you have problems with your other knee. We all need a 🔮. I have decided to take a DMT to try and save some of my mind. I definitely feel I need to do something. It is really hard to know what to do. Perhaps your MS nurse could send you some information, for you to consider in your own time or give you a good website. Good luck with your choice.