Ask Ms. Sally
Dear Ms. Sally,
I recently attended a seminar for people with Multiple Sclerosis. A doctor that spoke went on and on about how great a particular drug for MS was and how it was better, in the long run than, all the others that are available. Now, I am wondering if I would be doing better by switching to that drug? I am on one of the other drugs and I thought I was doing pretty well, but this doctor made it seem as if I am missing out by not being on this particular drug. Is there a drug that is better, than the others, which I should be taking instead?
Confused Patient
Dear Confused,
Oftentimes, you may run across a person, be it a physician or other healthcare professional, that feels strongly about one particular MS drug therapy. While it is a good thing to be so proactive, in treating MS, it can be confusing to hear different people praising different drugs. It can even cause MS patients to question their own drug therapy.
The bottom line is that all the available drug therapies work. If you look at the A-B-C-R drugs collectively (Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone and Rebif), they all show about the same percentage of effectiveness. Every one of these drugs has been rigorously tested and many of them are still going through various studies. Each drug has it’s own side effects and is administered a little differently than the other.
It has been shown that not every one of the available drug therapies will work for each individual. This is because our bodies are as unique as our disease is. If you are maintaining regular visits with your neurologist, he or she is best able to judge the effectiveness of the drug therapy that you are on, rather than a physician who has never seen you in a clinical setting.
You stated that you feel pretty well. That’s the good news. Chances are you were happy on your current drug therapy until this physician’s presentation put doubt in your mind. The best thing to do is follow-up with your neurologist regarding your questions. Your physician is the one who knows your individual case the best.
Remember – if it is not broken, there is no need to fix it.
Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. Albert Einstein