I stopped taking the meds and treatments almost a year ago. Physically, I feel better but now I know that doing such takes a toll on you mind (mood, irritability, ec.) I'm hoping by joining the group I will be able to manage this aspect of MS. I also suspect that perhaps something going on with my brain in regards to how I feel. It's not depression I don't think. I am just annoyed and mad at the world (I guess down deep I want to blame someone other than me and my circumstances.) I hope my mood will improve but I just wanted to let you know that there is a downside to self medicating (I'll drink a few beers if I want to get my mind off the pain.) I have been on Paxil for probably 10 years off and on and it does help, I think. You may not want to tell the doctor about the beer thing if you try it because my doctor wrote something in my chart- I don't agree with nor my wife. It just seems that you can handle the physical aspect if you can keep your mood in check- which is something currently; I am struggling with.

I stopped the Copaxone over a year and a 1/2 ago. Best thing I ever did. I have fewer symptoms and more energy. I went on the Wahls Protocol diet on advice of a holistic MD. It also cleared up my "tummy issues" that had given me fits for most of my life. I felt like I was a prisoner of my house before due to those but not any more. I do take something for depression/anxiety but it's a low dose. That just goes with the territory with MS.

Gentle hugs, Linda

Congrats on your new baby! That is a blessing. If you have tummy issues, I would not recommend Tecfidera. I was diagnosed in August 2014 and prescribed Tecfidera, and I experienced severe gastrointestinal difficulties (diarrhea; stomach cramping). The literature said that it was supposed to get better over time, but it never did. Hence, I'm going to talk to my doctor about discontinuing it.

I don't take the MS meds. Nobody's proven to me that they actually do anything. So, I don't risk suppressing my immune system or hormones with those. I take supplements, D3, magnesium and a a few other things, like C. Have enough meds going on with having to take thyroid and cortisone to get my energy levels back up.

For me, it's exercise and supplements. I think staying on top of exercise is key, not to mention healthy diet!

CONGRATULATIONS on your baby boy!!!

I don't blame you one bit. Just read that those pills you mention contain/are made out of a form of shoe polish!

Congratulations on your new little boy & I hope you are doing well!.

If I were a good candidate for Gilenya I would switch to that. I've heard people that are on Gilenya say positives about it. I'm on Tecfidera & haven't had any flares or lesion activity. But I feel Tecfidera has a lot of side effects that keep me panicked about finding a restroom fast. Last time I switched dmd I made a pros & cons of side effects & that narrowed down my possibilities. Good luck I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

well if you get prego right a way then your MS will go dormat all through when you finish breast feeding. The female body is amazing that way. It knows that your body is developing a baby.

You say your Dad died of MS then there is the concern that your variety of MS is hereditary.

This fact has not been proven but since there seems to be many other ways as to why you got MS besides it was "hereditary"

Talk to your neuro and also your OBGYN and see what they recommend.

I completely understand. I'm sick of taking meds every few hrs. I am getting a spinal stimulator implant in June. This will allow me to either stop all my pain meds or most of them. I have Gastroparesis now because of the yrs of pain meds. My stomach no longer empties like a normal stomach, I have to stay on a very strict diet now for the rest of my life. Thankfllly, the diet change has helped a good bit otherwise I would have to have a pacemaker in my stomach. Maybe you could consider a implant? What kind and where is your pain?

I have only had two bad attacks and one silent one within the 20 years I have been dealing with the Rrms. I was on betaseron for the first 10. Then the side affects were worse than the med. I then went on 4000 iu of vit d, started exercising or walking 30 min five days a week, and went mostly gluten and sugar free. I live on lean protein and veggies and some fruits. I am not on any ms meds. I am doing great, except having a cold right now. You couldn't pay me to go on injectables and my neuro told me last time...just keep doing what you are doing. Gluten causes inflammation for me and that causes symptoms, but otherwise, I feel great! Btw, my vitamin d was deficient when I had both attacks and it's great now!

I was diagnosed in 2002, and started Betaseron in 2003. The side effects made life not worth living - I went on a drug "vacation" in 2009 and haven't returned from vacation yet. I eat well, exercise, focus on all the wonderful things I have in my life and I haven't had an attack since I stopped taking the meds. I feel so much better - I can enjoy my life. It works for me. Congratulations on your new treasure!

Congratulations on your baby boy! I was just recently diagnosed with MS, even though my neurologist feels I've been misdiagnosed since the late 90's. I haven't taken any of the MS meds, because the side effects sound horrible compared to the pain I have. I have relapsing MS and can deal ok with the pain. I am currently taking Effexor, which was prescribed for the fibromyalgia I was misdiagnosed with in 1997. I'm currently in the process of decreasing my dosage from 150 mg to 75 mg. I do get acupuncture which in my mind helps. What kind of MS symptoms does everyone deal with? I primarily deal with severe leg and feet pain. Seems most of the pain is in my lower half of my body. I also get headaches. Although I don't feel I can actually call them headaches. My head doesn't necessarily hurt, but I get "noises" that sound like to live wires being put together, whenever I open and close my eyes or move my head. My hands and fingers go numb on occasion. I get the MS "hug". Have trouble keeping my balance, but this weeble hasn't fallen yet. Walk like I'm drunk, and wish I was sometimes. And forget stuff...A LOT! I'm also trying to go through menopause at the age of 55, and it doesn't help. I get weepy about the most trite things. Menopause or MS, who knows! Shortly after I was officially diagnosed, my doctor put me on a 6 day, 21 pill steroid pack. I felt great during that time, but shortly after I stopped taking them, I broke out I hives. Found out I'm allergic to dog dander. I've had my dog for 3 years and never broke out before. And my leg pain has been worse. Again, I find acupuncture is great. It relaxes me and I get to sleep for over an hour. I hope you find an answer ilotusflower. Most of all, enjoy your little boy! :D

Kind of on the same boat, was on Copax for 3-1/2 yrs and after severe side effects I stopped. I haven't been on any meds for a year or so and feel so much better than before. My doctor insists on taking some treatments but I'm just taking my time deciding and just enjoy a med free life for now. :)

hi and congratulations from m etoo : )
I am heading for a new MRI next week - because I had a different sort of a seizure, but also, I have noticed a lot of things that are different - lots of changes. I've been thinking - not that clearly, but it crosses my mind from time to time that it may come up that my neuro will want me to try some MS medication and I am not going to want to.
I started to look into Dr wahl's protocol - forgot, got sidetracked. I do mean to do that though. what she has done makes sense and it doesn't sound difficult to do - not when compared with taking these medications : (
and the vitamins and minerals, the right combinations, etc. when I am not this tired I will figure them out again.
hugs lotus, I know this is a complicated thing

Congrats to you!

I would not recommend stopping meds....you may decline quickly. I have....but....I'm going to be getting a stem cell transplant which is the closest thing we have to a cure. If/when you have a relapse I highly suggest you check it out. You can go to clinicaltrials.gov to find a study- I'm doing one in Chicago. People come from all over the world I recommend Dr. Burt's study.