Most of us take risks every day. Things like driving a car, playing a sport, or even eating out at a new restaurant can all come with risks. But when it comes to our health, many of us may think about risks differently, especially for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
It’s important to understand that each MS treatment has benefits and risks. Risks may vary from treatment to treatment, so it can be helpful to know what you are comfortable with before making a decision.
After getting diagnosed with MS, you’re probably wondering when is the best time to start treatment.
MS is an immune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). The more damage that happens, the worse MS symptoms can become over time.
That’s why your healthcare provider may suggest that you begin treatment as soon as possible. Some people might want to wait and see if their symptoms get worse. Keep in mind that damage to the brain and spinal cord cannot be reversed.
It’s also important to understand that treatments like disease modifying therapies (DMTs) can’t treat symptoms. However, they may be able to delay the disease from getting worse (also known as disease progression). Even if you’re feeling well, it’s important to start treatment as soon as possible. The goal of treatment is to keep your MS from getting worse.
As you consider treatment options, you should talk to your healthcare provider about how each treatment may impact your overall life—not just your MS. This means considering the benefits and risks of each treatment. There may be a treatment that you are more comfortable taking than others. Ultimately, this will be a decision you make together with your loved ones and your healthcare provider.
It's important to talk about the benefits and risks of treatment with your healthcare provider.
Benefits
DMTs can be a very important factor in treating your MS. They have been shown to help reduce relapses, slow disability, and reduce the number of brain lesions.
Some benefits of treatment you might not have thought about include how often you take them, how they are given, and how you might feel from day to day.
There are many FDA-approved DMTs available, and they can be given in different ways. You could try asking your healthcare provider questions like:
Remember, as with any medication, in order to see the full benefits of your treatment, it's important to take your medicine as prescribed. Not everyone's experience with DMTs is the same, so you may have to try a few options before finding one that's right for you.
Risks
Every treatment will have its own risks, and they may be different from the risks for other treatments. It’s important for you to not only understand these risks, but also to decide which risks you are willing to take.
Treatments like a DMT aim to work at the “root” of MS disease activity—and at the “root” there’s a problem with the immune system. Although we don't know how all DMTs work, it's thought that some may have an impact on the immune system. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider about side effects and how you can monitor them.
For some people, statistics may help them better understand side effects. You could try asking your healthcare provider questions like:
Depending on your lifestyle, there are also some other risks to consider. Other health conditions you may have, diet habits, or family planning can impact which treatment may work best for you. Consider asking your healthcare provider questions like:
In certain instances, your healthcare provider may recommend switching to a different treatment. There are a number of reasons why this may happen, including:
As with any treatment, you should still talk about the potential benefits and risks even when you're switching. Remember, if a treatment isn't working for you, don't give up. MS is a marathon, not a sprint. Your healthcare provider is there to help you stay on track and find a treatment that's right for you. Please understand that you don't have to go through it alone.
In life, there are always benefits and risks to consider, and living with MS is no different. By having conversations with your healthcare team, you can learn more about what you should be looking out for when treating MS.
Being your own best advocate
From Biogen
How disease modifying treatments may help
From Dr. Bowen
Finding the right treatment
From Biogen
Goal of DMTs
From Biogen
Health insurance & MS
From Biogen
I wish I knew
From our Expert Contributors
The importance of treating early
From Biogen
Taking your MS medication
From Jessica T.
Tips for staying on track
From Biogen
Types of MS treatments
From Dr. Tufeld
What you may expect from treatment
From Dr. Coyle