Casey and I met the new neurologist today, and it went worse than I anticipated.
I know Dr. Shah didn't intend to make me upset but with the way she was talking to me just brought me to tears. Like I said, I know she didn't mean to but I did let the doctor know that I thought she was accusing me of lying about my symptoms and/or not telling her if I was having other issues. Casey explained that the awkward silences and the 'interview questions' (since this was my first appointment with this new doctor) are meant to be times for patients to share thoughts/feelings and whatnot.
I also explained that I felt like she was being very demanding by telling me to do things instead of asking me. A better tactic she should utilize would be to explain what she needs to do and let me know that I would need to take my socks and shoes off for the test.
After this visit I am mixed on my emotions as to whether or not I stay with Dr. Shah. I do have to take into account that there is a bit of a culture and language barrier since she has an East Indian background. It is also nice to know she has been in this occupation for quite a while (about 23 yrs) and knows she is doing. However, I believe that her experience in this field would have also brought some additional empathy and manners to the interactions with patients. (Or am I just too sensitive/emotional?) Maybe she learned a bit from our meeting today on how she speaks to others?! I would hope she did :) With that, I think I may give her one more try. If I still am uneasy, I may try and find a better fit. As of now, my next appointment is February 17th. I had A LOT of blood drawn today (a lot = 6 - 8 vials) so we will wait to see the results on that. I know I need to get another MRI on my brain since the last one was in May.
As always, I will keep you posted.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
New neurologist!
I can check off another item from my To-Do list since our move from NY -- I finally got around to getting a new neurologist. My first appointment is in the afternoon of 12/16 with Dr. Shah. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I chose a good doctor.
My thoughts
I am getting lower on my latest refill of Copaxone (69 syringes left) and I don't like knowing my old neurologist, Dr. Aziz, is still providing the prescription refills. Even though he said he would continue to refill my prescription until I found a doctor I was happy with, I don't want to abuse his offer.
My thoughts
I am getting lower on my latest refill of Copaxone (69 syringes left) and I don't like knowing my old neurologist, Dr. Aziz, is still providing the prescription refills. Even though he said he would continue to refill my prescription until I found a doctor I was happy with, I don't want to abuse his offer.
Monday, September 29, 2008
New MS Drug Shows Promise
MS Drug Clears Hurdle
Laquinimod Treatment Could One Day Offer Alternative to Injections
June 20, 2008 -- A new drug called laquinimod appears to be a promising treatment option for adults with the most common form of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Phase II study results published in this week's edition of The Lancet show that laquinimod tablets safely and effectively reduce disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Current MS treatments must be given by injection.
MS is an autoimmune disease that damages the central nervous system. The body's immune (defense) system attacks myelin, the material that covers and protects nerve fibers. Nerve damage and inflammation gets worse over time, and leads to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, fatigue, loss of vision, and in severe cases, paralysis. People with the relapsing-remitting form of the disease have flare-ups followed by times of partial or complete recovery. According to the National MS Society, about 85% of people are first diagnosed with this form of MS.
The international study involved 306 adults aged 18 to 50. Patients could participate if they had one or more flare-ups in the previous year and at least one MS lesion visible on a special MRI test called a gadolinium-enhancing (GdE) scan. The study did not look at clinical disability.
Researchers randomly assigned patients to one of two doses of laquinimod (0.3 or 0.6 milligrams) or a placebo (fake pill).
The patients received brain MRI scans and clinical assessments before and several times during the study so researchers could monitor brain lesions, which would help them determine the drug's effectiveness. Scans were done every four weeks for nine months.
Giancarlo Comi of the Institute of Experimental Neurology at the University Vita-Salute in Milan, Italy, and colleagues found that, compared with placebo, patients who received the higher dose of laquinimod had more than a 40% reduction in the average number of GdE lesions over the last four scans compared with the one taken at the study's start. There were no statistically significant effects seen between patients who took the lower dose of laquinimod and the fake pill.
Treatment appeared well tolerated. Researchers reported no deaths. One patient had a pre-existing blood clotting disorder and developed a clot of a large vein that carries blood from the liver. The drug was stopped and the patient was treated with blood-thinning medication. Two patients had high levels of liver enzymes.
"Overall, the efficacy and safety profile emerging from this and from a previous phase II clinical trial, in combination with the oral route of administration, make laquinimod a promising therapeutic opportunity for patients with relapse remitting multiple sclerosis," the researchers concluded in the journal article.
A larger-scale phase III trial to examine the benefits and risks of laquinimod treatment is under way.
In an accompanying comment, Mayo Clinic researchers B. Mark Keegan and Brian G. Weinshenker said that further studies are needed to compare laquinimod "head-to-head" to existing MS treatments to see if the new drug is superior or just as effective.
Source: WebMd.com
http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/news/20080620/ms-drug-clears-hurdle?ecd=wnl_mls_092608
I am excited, who wouldn't want to take a pill instead of an injection?! *jumping up and down with my hand raised saying, "me, me, me"*
Laquinimod Treatment Could One Day Offer Alternative to Injections
June 20, 2008 -- A new drug called laquinimod appears to be a promising treatment option for adults with the most common form of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Phase II study results published in this week's edition of The Lancet show that laquinimod tablets safely and effectively reduce disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Current MS treatments must be given by injection.
MS is an autoimmune disease that damages the central nervous system. The body's immune (defense) system attacks myelin, the material that covers and protects nerve fibers. Nerve damage and inflammation gets worse over time, and leads to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, fatigue, loss of vision, and in severe cases, paralysis. People with the relapsing-remitting form of the disease have flare-ups followed by times of partial or complete recovery. According to the National MS Society, about 85% of people are first diagnosed with this form of MS.
The international study involved 306 adults aged 18 to 50. Patients could participate if they had one or more flare-ups in the previous year and at least one MS lesion visible on a special MRI test called a gadolinium-enhancing (GdE) scan. The study did not look at clinical disability.
Researchers randomly assigned patients to one of two doses of laquinimod (0.3 or 0.6 milligrams) or a placebo (fake pill).
The patients received brain MRI scans and clinical assessments before and several times during the study so researchers could monitor brain lesions, which would help them determine the drug's effectiveness. Scans were done every four weeks for nine months.
Giancarlo Comi of the Institute of Experimental Neurology at the University Vita-Salute in Milan, Italy, and colleagues found that, compared with placebo, patients who received the higher dose of laquinimod had more than a 40% reduction in the average number of GdE lesions over the last four scans compared with the one taken at the study's start. There were no statistically significant effects seen between patients who took the lower dose of laquinimod and the fake pill.
Treatment appeared well tolerated. Researchers reported no deaths. One patient had a pre-existing blood clotting disorder and developed a clot of a large vein that carries blood from the liver. The drug was stopped and the patient was treated with blood-thinning medication. Two patients had high levels of liver enzymes.
"Overall, the efficacy and safety profile emerging from this and from a previous phase II clinical trial, in combination with the oral route of administration, make laquinimod a promising therapeutic opportunity for patients with relapse remitting multiple sclerosis," the researchers concluded in the journal article.
A larger-scale phase III trial to examine the benefits and risks of laquinimod treatment is under way.
In an accompanying comment, Mayo Clinic researchers B. Mark Keegan and Brian G. Weinshenker said that further studies are needed to compare laquinimod "head-to-head" to existing MS treatments to see if the new drug is superior or just as effective.
Source: WebMd.com
http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/news/20080620/ms-drug-clears-hurdle?ecd=wnl_mls_092608
I am excited, who wouldn't want to take a pill instead of an injection?! *jumping up and down with my hand raised saying, "me, me, me"*
Friday, September 19, 2008
September?!
I know, it has been a very long time since I posted anything, but in regard to multiple sclerosis, things have been pretty boring. Everything has remained relatively consistent (no relapses) so that is great.
As for my last neurology appointment back on 4/10/08 in NY, things checked out find there; however, the doctor was unable to recommend a neurologist. I was given a telephone number to call and that was it.. oh well. I still have to call and get a new one since we've moved.
There hasn't been anything to post on regarding my medical condition; however, there are some miscellaneous things I can tell you about...
Casey graduated from medical school 5/19/08 and then we began packing up and getting ready to move. *Can you believe it, he's a doctor!?* A few days after his graduation, we moved to Berkley, MI. After being in MI for just a few days, we flew off to CA for, well, pretty much all of June. We had a ton of things to do while we were in CA, one of those many things included looking for a place to have our wedding and reception. YUP.. we're getting married! We got engaged 4/17/08. The wedding date is September 26, 2009 in Walnut Creek, CA. Oh wedding planning, why does it have to be so stressful?
Anyway, life is progressing, and fortunately my multiple sclerosis isn't, well not in a negative way and that is wonderful. :)
As for my last neurology appointment back on 4/10/08 in NY, things checked out find there; however, the doctor was unable to recommend a neurologist. I was given a telephone number to call and that was it.. oh well. I still have to call and get a new one since we've moved.
There hasn't been anything to post on regarding my medical condition; however, there are some miscellaneous things I can tell you about...
Casey graduated from medical school 5/19/08 and then we began packing up and getting ready to move. *Can you believe it, he's a doctor!?* A few days after his graduation, we moved to Berkley, MI. After being in MI for just a few days, we flew off to CA for, well, pretty much all of June. We had a ton of things to do while we were in CA, one of those many things included looking for a place to have our wedding and reception. YUP.. we're getting married! We got engaged 4/17/08. The wedding date is September 26, 2009 in Walnut Creek, CA. Oh wedding planning, why does it have to be so stressful?
Anyway, life is progressing, and fortunately my multiple sclerosis isn't, well not in a negative way and that is wonderful. :)
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