February 16th, 2010 | Posted in MS enigma
New year arrived with fresh news in area of so-called multiple sclerosis drugs.
On 22 January 2010 FDA (USA) approved a new drug “Ampyra”, that improves walking abilities in many MS patients.
Almost three out of four MS sufferers admit that walking appears to be the most frustrating aspect of their life. So any improvement of their life is welcomed.
Ampyra specifics (important):
- it should be taken with other MS drugs and
- it does not keep MS from getting worse
Main advantage of this multiple sclerosis drug: although Ampyra does not change the course of disease, it most probably enhances nerve function.
These are good points of a new drug. However, by no means it is safe. You see
Originally this chemical was used as a bird poison !
Known side effects:
- multiple sclerosis relapse
- urinary tract infection
- balance disorder
- insomnia
- loss of muscle strength
- dizziness
- headache
- tingling or numbness in the extremities
- nose or throat inflammation
- upset stomach
- throat pain
- nausea
- constipation
- back pain
Everybody MS-er should think carefully, if using this drug isn’t too high price. Even if walking abilities improve for a while.
My major question is:
How long walking improvement lasts, before one or another life quality worsening side effect appear?
You can read full article here.
November 20th, 2007 | Posted in MS enigma
Orthodox medicine presently is using two drugs groups to possibly reduce MS symptoms:
Orthodox medicine, driven by very powerful multi-billion pharmaceutical industry, proposes some medicines for some multiple sclerosis symptoms treatment. Today’s reality – every drug available in medicine today carries a risk of side effects, including over the counter remedies.
No corticosteroid treatment is currently approved, however, those disease modifying therapies that reduce progression of Primary Progressive and Progressive/Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis MS may be beneficial.
Currently used multiple sclerosis drugs are immunomodulatory. This means the approved drugs used specifically in the treatment of multiple sclerosis have a direct effect on immune system and therefore their use carries the risk of compromising the body’ s ability to fight infection and may also interfere with the body’ s tumor surveillance mechanisms…
The main problem is – the mechanisms by which the drugs exert their influence on the course of multiple sclerosis exacerbations is unknown. By definition this makes them experimental.
There are lots of information about all approved for MS treatment drugs. However, possible (and existing) side effects (sometimes very dangerous) are not so well documented.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are prescribed for literally hundreds of conditions, including multiple sclerosis.
Short-term treatment (3-5 days) with corticosteroids (like prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, others) can aid during periods of acute relapse.
Corticosteroids work by possibly decreasing the intensity of the body’s defense system’s reaction to the myelin in the central nervous system.
Many of the side–effects of steroids are predictable. Not all side–effects occur in all patients. All are related to:
- the amount of steroid a patient takes a day
- the length of time the patient remains on the medication
Prednisone is a replacement for a naturally in a body synthetised steroid Hydrocortisone, which was replaced with Prednisone because of the only reason – it can not be patented! So presently instead of natural steroid hormone is used synthetic one, containing lots of danfgerous adverse effects. More about many healing aspects of Hydrocortisone and other natural hormones – in an article ‘Hormones and Chronic Disease‘, where David Brownstein, MD, states: “I have yet to see a patient with rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma (or other autoimmune disorders) who has normal hormone levels”.
Benefits
- To hasten recovery from acute attacks
- To prevent damage to the blood-brain barrier.
Some reported side effects:
- Sodium retention
- Increased appetite
- Increased fat deposits
- Increased acid in your stomach
- Increased sweating, especially at night
- Increased hair growth
- Acne on the face, back, and chest
- Bone and muscle problems
- Growth problems in children
- Eye problems
- Increased sugar in the blood
- Increased sensitivity to the sun
- Delayed wound healing
- Decreased ability to fight infection
- Thrush (Candida) growth in the mouth…
By the way, very interesting and truthful explanation how steroids are worsening the situation came from web site “
Electroherbalism” chapter “
Autoimmune Disorders“:
The normal prescription for inflammatory disorders are strong antiinflammatories like steroids. These can certainly decrease symptoms but since they are covering up the problem and doing nothing to treat it, make it worse in the long run. A more ridiculous prescription for treating a pathogen-induced illness is a drug which decreases immune function. Since there are less immune cells to “call to arms” there is less inflammation. I can think of no better way to allow a pathogen to overrun and destroy tissue more quickly.
I initially was treated with mega dozes of injectable methyl-prednisone (Solu Medrol) and my situation after such a treatment worsened significantly.
MS immunomodulatory drugs
Avonex
Interferon beta-1a, recombinant DNA produced synthetic of naturally occurring proteins.
Benefits
- To lower incidence of disease resistance associated with this dosing regimen
Some reported side effects:
- Anaphylaxis
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Depression and Suicide
- Hepatic Injury and Hepatitis
- Injection Site Necrosis …
Unknowns:
- Safety and Efficacy
- Drug Interactions
- Carcinogenesis
- Pregnancy and Fertility…
Betaseron (Betaferon)
Interferon beta-1b is a recombinant DNA produced synthetic of naturally occurring proteins. It is manufactured by bacterial fermentation.
Benefits
- To decrease rate of relapse
- To decrease development of new lesions
- To delay progression of disability
Some reported side effects:
- Adverse Events
- Anaphylaxis
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Depression and Suicide
- Hepatic Injury and Hepatitis
- Psychiatric Disorders
- Seizures
- Thyroid…
Unknowns:
- Safety and Efficacy
- Drug Interactions
- Carcinogenesis
- Spontaneous Abortion…
Copaxone
Glatiramer acetate (formerly copolymer-1)
Benefits
- To decrease rate of relapse
- To moderately decrease development of new lesions
- To probably delay progression of disability
Some reported side effects:
- Adverse Events
- Anaphylaxis
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Chest Pains
- Depression and Suicide
- Hepatic Injury and Hepatitis…
Unknowns:
- Safety and Efficacy
- Carcinogenesis
- Drug Interactions
- Impairment of Fertility…
Rebif
Interferon beta-1a – recombinant DNA produced synthetic of naturally occurring proteins.
Benefits
- To decrease rate of relapse
- To decrease development of new lesions
- To delay progression of disability
Some reported side effects:
- Anaphylaxis
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Depression and Suicide
- Flu-like Symptoms
- Hepatic Injury and Hepatitis
- Pregnancy…
Unknowns:
- Safety and Efficacy
- Drug Interactions
- Carcinogenesis
- Impairment of Fertility
- Nursing Mothers…
We know that all drugs used to treat
multiple sclerosis
- are mainly experimental
- induce dangerous side effects
- are associated with dangerous uknowns
That means that every multiple sclerosis sufferer before treatment must balance carefully MS symptoms reduction against the potential for adverse side effects.
Final notes:
- I have no personal experience with multiple sclerosis drugs. I think I am extremely lucky (I wasn’t treated with any of them), especially considering that I know MS sufferers who had to discontinue such a treatment because of terrible and dangerous adverse effects.
- I am not interested in multiple sclerosis drugs at all. However, substantially more complete, well presented and documented information can be found in a website specifically designed for multiple sclerosis drugs.
- My most important message to all MS-ers – multiple sclerosis can be cured or at least tempered with all-natural dietary supplements. More information here.
