This isn't a post about Gilenya. This is about my decision to sign up for my first dosage (next week, Sept 1st 2011).
A little more about me and my diganosis:
I'm a single, independent 33yr old male diagnosed by one neuro, on June 20th 2011, with Multiple Sclerosis after a several week-long battle with double vision (that led to severe vertigo and eventually the diagnosis). I had a head, neck and spine MRI done, which revealed a moderate amount of lesions on my brain (and none on my spine), according to my first neuro, though my only other symtom that I can recall before June, was a mis-diagnosed bout with trigeminal neuralgia nearly two years ago.
Corticosteroids prescribed by my first neuro got me back on my feet (albeit woozily). A (radical)change to my diet, and sleep habits have me feeling better today than I have in years. I don't think that I've had any symtoms for about a month.
My second neuro, a specialist from Rush University Medical Center, told me: "clinically, it's M.S., but there are enough question marks to not rule out further testing". He asked me to come back a couple of months later (early October), to execute further testing (after immune system recovered from the steroid use). Upon departing, he told me to "go ahead and start taking Gilenya". Ironically, the specialist wasn't too fond of Gilenya (considering its age, and kind of side effects). The first can't wait to get me on it.
After stalling for over a month I finally bit the bullet, called up Novartis (Gilenya pharma) and scheduled the appointment today, for my first dosage next Thursday. I have already been pre-screened for Gilenya, and passed both the EKG and chicken-pox anti-body blood test.
Needless to say, I feel rushed by my first neuro and puzzled by my second. My family -- hardcore believers in natural/holistic treatments of most illnesses/diseases -- made their choice obvious especially after seeing me go from bed-ridden to jogging after changing my lifestyle.
I live alone and to be honest, I'm scared. I don't like taking drugs - particularly those that have only been out for less than a year. But I've been told that not starting treatment right away will be walking a very fine line between a life of normal function and disability.
I feel guilty asking strangers if this is the right decision; but as I explained before I don't have many people to turn to.
Thanks
A little more about me and my diganosis:
I'm a single, independent 33yr old male diagnosed by one neuro, on June 20th 2011, with Multiple Sclerosis after a several week-long battle with double vision (that led to severe vertigo and eventually the diagnosis). I had a head, neck and spine MRI done, which revealed a moderate amount of lesions on my brain (and none on my spine), according to my first neuro, though my only other symtom that I can recall before June, was a mis-diagnosed bout with trigeminal neuralgia nearly two years ago.
Corticosteroids prescribed by my first neuro got me back on my feet (albeit woozily). A (radical)change to my diet, and sleep habits have me feeling better today than I have in years. I don't think that I've had any symtoms for about a month.
My second neuro, a specialist from Rush University Medical Center, told me: "clinically, it's M.S., but there are enough question marks to not rule out further testing". He asked me to come back a couple of months later (early October), to execute further testing (after immune system recovered from the steroid use). Upon departing, he told me to "go ahead and start taking Gilenya". Ironically, the specialist wasn't too fond of Gilenya (considering its age, and kind of side effects). The first can't wait to get me on it.
After stalling for over a month I finally bit the bullet, called up Novartis (Gilenya pharma) and scheduled the appointment today, for my first dosage next Thursday. I have already been pre-screened for Gilenya, and passed both the EKG and chicken-pox anti-body blood test.
Needless to say, I feel rushed by my first neuro and puzzled by my second. My family -- hardcore believers in natural/holistic treatments of most illnesses/diseases -- made their choice obvious especially after seeing me go from bed-ridden to jogging after changing my lifestyle.
I live alone and to be honest, I'm scared. I don't like taking drugs - particularly those that have only been out for less than a year. But I've been told that not starting treatment right away will be walking a very fine line between a life of normal function and disability.
I feel guilty asking strangers if this is the right decision; but as I explained before I don't have many people to turn to.
Thanks
Comment