Around about the times Jennifer and I were diagnosed – 14 and 11 years ago, respectively – we both heard they were great times to be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
Before we each had the opportunity to punch the optimistic messenger square in the nose (Really? A good time for having a chronic, progressive disease?), we heard the justifiable rationale.
There actually were medicines available to slow the progression of the disease, which weren’t available prior to the early 1990s. Ah, yes, a good time indeed.
At the times of our diagnoses, there ere three medicines available and were affectionately referred to as the “ABC” drugs, as in Avonex, Betaseron and Copaxone. Since then aggressive research and FDA approvals have introduced so many other disease-modifying medications, such as Rebif and Tysabri, that a simple three-letter acronym doesn’t cut it any more.
So now Jennifer and I continue to echo to the newly diagnosed that these indeed are, “great times to be diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.”
And with time and trial and error, we have discovered alternative types of treatment and therapy that have worked in our situations. For years I have relied on one that is somewhat scientifically unproven, and Jennifer has just started taking a recently approved medicine and is seeing some measurable results.
We encourage you to learn more about our successes in essays we developed for the Health Central blog:
Alternative MS Treatments: Music Therapy (from me)
Ampyra (aminopyradine): My Experience (from Jennifer)
I am so glad you have found something that works for both of you. Whether it’s the Boss or a pill, who cares as long as it works.
Interesting read. I can’t wait to read more about the music therapy! That’s a new one for me
Nicole
……..and singing too.
I could not agree with you more. Music is good for the soul. Finding the right music may be the bigger challenge.
Equally good is singing. I feel strongly about the fact that everyone can sing….it just takes some people longer to learn how than it takes others. People that think they can’t sing don’t. How are you going to learn to sing if you don’t do it? Jim Morrison taught me how to sing! (OK. It was the Doors Live and some headphones) Music, song, singing. Do it because it’s good for you. Michael