Switching meds

[Media529]

Hey all. Any time I visit my neuro, he mentions switching me to a different dmt if I have a relapse. This doesn't really make sense to me. The meds are supposed to reduce relapses, not stop them all together. What am I missing? Why would you switch the first time you have a relapse?

[JerryD]

I am not a doctor but I would suggest that your question is best answered by your doc. Is this doctor an MS specialist? Is this neurologist learning about MS treatment by 'practicing' on you. I only know of MS patients changing DMT's after their neurologists decided that the current DMT wasn't working. I have had this discussion with my neurologist and his answer was that he would 'monitor' my case . He said he would watch for changes and make a determination at the appropriate time. I hope that you get the answers that you need. Good luck

[Media529]

Thanks for your reply. He is an MS specialist. I will pose these questions to him on my next visit.

[Mamabug]

When I switched doctors, from a general neurologist to an MS Specialist, she changed my DMD because I was having MS flares 1-2x per year. In her opinion, having one flare per year, while on a DMD indicates that the DMD is borderline effective. She told me, "You are not even borderline."

I have had only two flares since 2011, and, much more mild than they used to be. The switch was effective for me. I understand that it takes approximately 9 months for Copaxone to become effective. Therefore, I'd counsel you to consider waiting a year or two after initially beginning your first DMD to decide if, based on how frequently your flares are occurring, deciding about whether to switch DMD's. Unless my doc was able to convince me that, for some reason, it was in my best interests to consider it sooner. I would certainly seek their advice, but, you are your own best advocate, and what you do still remains your decision

I'm not advocating going against your doctor's advice, exactly. Just exercising caution prior to jumping into making a change, until you know if there is a good reason to do that.