There's nothing wrong with looking at (and choosing to use) alternative/complementary treatments to cope with your MS so long as you go into it with open eyes.

I think allopathic treatments hold promise, and for those who aren't inclined to look into "alternative" treatments, they can be empowering, as you're at least doing something to reduce your relapse rate and disease progression, even if it's only by 30%.

I use a combination -- Novantrone (and soon, Rebif) as well as supplementing with essential fatty acids, CoQ10, and B vitamins. I use reiki and massage to help with symptoms, and do adaptive yoga to stay limber.

MS affects us so differently, that you may be one who simply has mild disease regardless of treatment. It doesn't mean that alternative treatment is working for you -- but neither does it mean that such treatment has been ineffective. That's why it is so hard to judge whether treatments, whether alternative or otherwise, truly work. You have to study this over time in highly controlled environments, and most people aren't willing to do that.

Just my opinion! :)

-Karen

I tried the alternative route first it didn't help me. But I had a friend who went ten years on vitamin therapy before she had to start the traditional ABC drugs.
I personally have used Betaseron, Avonex, then Novantrone which was my most effective and comfortable to date but you can only take it for 2 years. then I took Copoxone for 4 yrs. I never tried rebif and have just started Tysabri. MS while many symptoms are the same or similar each of us have a different path and react to what meds we are on differently. If you find something that works well for you go with it till it stops. Then transition into something else, it is easy to get intimidated but go with what works for you. at least thats my opinion.
RobinS

I'm taking low dose naltrexone(LDN) which is considered an alternative treatment for MS. It is an FDA approved drug just not approved for ms. It seemed to be a good choice for me when I read that it had very little side effects and seemed to stop progression and in some relieve their symptoms. I have only been on it for less than two months so I can't truly say that it is working for me yet. I do believe that it has kept me from relapsing since I've been under alot of stress in the last two months. You can google LDN and find alot of information on it if your interested.

I take Copaxone with Patient assistance for the cost and LDN (http://lowdosenaltrexone.org). I also get acupuncture treatments and take some Chinese herbs.

As far as the Copaxone goes, I figure it has minimal side-effects and if I get older and more disabled and didn't take an FDA approved drug, I'd probably regret it. I'm glad I can take the one that seems to have the least side effects with the same effectiveness as the Interferon drugs (Copaxone).

I also take LDN (http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org) which is relatively cheap (less than $23/mo) and a pill with no side-effects but has no FDA approval for MS (is FDA approved)
Larry

Thank you all for your sound advice on this issue. I do find myself very fearful of the ABC drugs, albeit that I understand they help a lot of people. I will stay the course doing what I am doing for now and when the time comes that I notice things getting worse I will consult with my doctor about other options. I can't express enough what wonderful support is given here.

Catherine,
Remember, regardless of what people have said here, the only proven benefit of the ABCR drugs is to reduce the chance of you having an exascerbation. There is nothing but anecdotal evidence that they make you feel better, some made me feel worse.

I'd hate to lose more function than I have and know I could have been taking a proven preventative. I'm very grateful that I get patient assistence. I'm also grateful for finding LDN but I am also taking a drug that is proven to have some affect on this disease.

I don't think it hurts to do everything to prevent progression of this disease (except I'll no longer do Novantrone and risk getting a hole in my heart!). I think avoiding stress, watching diet, doing as much to remain fit as I can is prudent (and for me taking LDN, as my PCP said, "well it can't hurt you".

I wish you good-luck in whichever way you attack this MonSter!
Larry

Hi Catherine... I wrote a similar discussion topic a few weeks ago after i was diagnosed. The day after i was diagnosed i started to take MANY supplements. Currently, i take Vitamin D and Calcium, A Muti-Vitamin (my normal), CoQ10 pills (3X a day), 9000mg of Flax Seed Oil and a B-Complex pill. I think that's it! :) I don't know if it works but, i figure, it can't really hurt. My friend is an acupuncturist and told me what to do. He totally disagrees with the injections, but i think we can treat it with all of it - don't you? I am supposed to start Avonex this week. I am not looking forward to it - but... will see how it goes, but will also continue taking my supplements.

I read just recently that another alternative approach would be a metal and colon cleanse. I am not sure if i am going to do that yet, but... maybe someday.. ya never know.

I hate putting anti-biotics into my body... but... i think it has to be done to treat this disease.

I hope i helped alittle?

Hey Larry! I'm on LDN too... and I said it means "Larry's Doing Naltrexone" but after a few weeks it stood for "Larry's Doing Nicely".

I take 3.0 MG. Tried the 4.5 but didn't like it, 3.0 is was much better.. and it's only $15/month, not $23.

When I was DX'd 5 years ago I had refused the CRABs, 3 months after my DX I Heard about LDN, and 6 months later I was taking it.

http://www.larrygc.com/mystory is my early days journal tread on my ezboard

:)

Larry, I totally agree with all you've said about LDN. I do fine on 4.5 but if 3 is working, that is even better.

My Neuro is even prescribing it now if a patient asks him for it (that is a major shift for him from thinking I was doing some quack treatment).

I try to eat healthy (low fat) and I do acupuncture and all I can say about LDN is that I haven't had an exacerbation in the 2 1/2 years that I've been taking it. I figure that and its low price is enough.

Larry

I went to the link to read about LDN, but how do you order it? I take Avonex at present, would this conflict?

Here is a link to Pharmacies that have experience fillling prescriptions for LDN:
http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/#How_can_I_obtain_LDN

You shouldn't be using any of the Interferon drugs if you use LDN (I don't think there are ill effects, just makes the interferon drugs ineffective). So you'll want to be using Copaxone if you want to take LDN.

My experience is that the doctor may try to talk you out of switching to Copaxone but there is NO evidence that the Interferon drugs are more effective than Copaxone (according to the FDA approved studies).

I use Skip's Pharmacy. Skip is a BIG advocate for LDN (if that matters).