Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

injection alternatives?

StuckAtHome
StuckAtHome
Does anyone know what kind of alternative medications exist for MS? I don't think I can do injections. I have a serious needle phobia and pass out about half the time when I have my blood drawn or get a shot. Passing out while giving myself an injection would probably be a very bad thing. I can't imagine ever being able to do it. Are there oral medications? How do I talk to my neurologist about it without him shrugging me off and thinking I should give it a try? I'd like to talk to him about LDN if the neurologist confirms that I have MS. I'm not sure how he'll feel about the fact that I've researched all this stuff before being definitively diagnosed though. Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts?
pj22
pj22
Your neurologist should listen to you whole heartedly. Explain to him your phobia with needles, tell him that you do pass out. They are working on oral meds for MS. But before truly working yourself up on this, you need to actually be diagnosed with MS. I hope you do not have MS, but if you do-talk to him about this, he needs to listen to you about your needle issue.. GOOD LUCK and TAKE CARE
StuckAtHome
StuckAtHome
I know I am jumping the gun a little here since I haven't been diagnosed yet. I think it's just sinking in that I will have answers soon and it's freaking me out a little. I'm ashamed to say that I would almost prefer not to know what's going on if it wasn't messing up my life so much. Thanks for the info and support. :-)
lchoppel
lchoppel
you show yourself as a smart patient by researching all of this stuff if you have been given a possible or probable MS diagnosis. Don't worry, about the doctor - he wll probably really appreciate the fact that you are so well educated on all of this and it will make talking to him much easier when and if you get a dx.

LDN is the only current therapy known now without injectibles.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Fingolimod has been approved by the FDA and will be on the market before the end of the year BUT it is very new with no history of how the drug affects your body long term.

Don't be surprised or upset when the dr does try to convince you to try the shots. MS is a serious disease and with it comes many sacrifices. You will have to choose what price you are willing to pay for the chance of maintaining your current level of ability. Your dr may suggest trying to use an autoinject or having someone else do the shot for you. They may even suggest you coming in and having a nurse do the shot.

Outside of those suggestions they may listen to you about LDN but not many drs do. You may have to got to a holistic dr. LDN isn't a first line drug so many drs don't prescribe it. That doesn't mean you can't get it, it means you will need to seek out a dr that will prescribe it. Take some time to really research the statistics behind the drug so you can make an informed decision about the effectiveness. Using anecdotal information here on this site can be helpful when understanding how you may react to a drug but it can't predict if it will work for you. that is true for ALL the medications, including the shots.

You may be able to get Fingolimod shortly but again, you may have to search for a dr that will give it to you just because of how new it is. My personal dr currently has it listed as a last-resort medication but is willing to open discussions with me again about it in november.