Thursday, November 15, 2007

It's been a year...

I can't believe how time has flown by! It has been just over a year since I started blogging. It is fun and strange to look back at my life over the last year. I have never been much of a diary person and would never have thought to blog if it were not for Marti.

I decided it is time for an update on my M.S. situation. I quit taking Betaseron a year ago. This was against the opinion of my Neurologist. I must say it was a hard emotional decision. No one wants to think they are making a potentially irreversible stupid decision. Anyway, this past year I have not had a new attack. I have had difficulty in areas where damage has already been established. You can check my original post to see the reasons as to why I stopped Betaseron and started treatment with LDN.

Spasticity is more a part of my daily life. (60% of people with M.S. have this problem) A few years ago, while on Betaseron, my doctor prescribed a drug called Baclofen. This didn't seem to help. Yesterday my doctor prescribed another spasticity drug called Zanaflex. I think I need a higher dose as it isn't working as well as I had hoped. They start you on a low dose to see how you tolerate it. I will have to wait a week or so then call her.

I have also tried a couple of "herbal" things that I think are worth mentioning. The first is one called Valerian. It does help especially when my pain is not severe. I believe it is worth trying if you are having nerve pain due to spasiticity. I also tried a little thing from Walgreens called Calm Forte. They seem to have similar active ingredients. (Passiflora -Passion Flower) I found that it also helped when the pain was not at a severe level.

Other on going problem is with my right leg. I tend to limp when over tired and I have pretty constant numbness, in my legs and arms, which I am hoping the Zanaflex will help me manage it better.

I believe the decision to stop Betaseron and start LDN was a good one. I have had less episodes than when I was on Betaseron. I am not cured however but I feel so much better. If I could get a handle on the pain from the spasticity I would be so thankful!



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

1) Congratulations on your one year blogoversary!
2) Thanks for the update on the MS. You seem to me to be doing better.
3) Your skin looks great.
4) I love you! =D

kelly said...

We are proud of your brave decision to take LDN and we think you've improved too! We love you!