I have received questions from a few people about the new 'pill' that the FDA is to review and if I will be taking that instead of Copaxone, my current daily injectable therapy. After consulting with my neurologist, we both agreed that it would be best for me to continue with Copaxone -- why fiddle with what is working so well for me :)
Anyway, below is the article from Shared Solutions' newsletter:
January 2010 Shared Solutions newsletter
The changing landscape of MS therapy
Expert on MS: Ronald Murray, MD, FAANWith so much going on today in multiple sclerosis research, it's as important as ever to stay informed. But it's also important to stay focused on what is right for your individual needs -- and to say confident about your treatment decision. Part of being confident is knowing the track record of your therapy.
Dr. Ronald Murray shared with us his insights on current MS therapies, as well as those in the research pipeline, within the larger content of the immune system and overall health. Following are excerpts from his important conversation.
On staying confident with your treatment decision
"Let me start by saying that if an individual is stable and doing well on his/her current MS therapy, why would he/she want to rock to boat with something yet unproven?
In my experience, people do what is necessary to remain stable so that they can help maintain their lifestyle.
It is important to stay current on research and developments in MS, to talk about treatment options with a neurologist, and to discuss the impact of each treatment on the immune system. Remember, just because it may be 'a pill' doesn't mean it will be safe. The risks vs benefits of each treatment need to be discussed."
On how therapies impact the immune system
"The main purpose of the immune system is to protect us -- and if injured, to heal us. Different therapies impact the immune system in different ways to fight MS>
Although new treatments are still in development, early data shows that at least some of them may affect the immune system by reducing the number of immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS). This may increase the risk for serious infections and other health issues."
What advice would you give to those currently managing MS with injectable therapy?
"People need to become more knowledgeable about the immune system -- and how different therapies for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) affect different aspects of the immune system."
--Ronald S. Murray, MD, FAAN, is Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic of Colorodo and has been and educator and researcher in the MS field for 25 years.
