Although there is still no cure for multiple sclerosis, there has been significant progress over the past few decades with treatments which can change the course of the disease. Diet, exercise and stress management also play an important role in the management of MS and keeping people well. Here we examine four common ways to manage and treat MS:
If you have relapsing MS disease then modifying therapies (DMTs) can mean you get fewer, and less serious relapses.
Stem cells can turn into different kinds of cells in your body. Hematopoietic stem cells make blood cells.
There are many things that you can do to manage your MS along with taking medication, or if medication is not suitable for you.
Many people will look for other ways to help make them feel better such as yoga, acupuncture, reflexology, and massage.
If you have relapsing MS disease then modifying therapies (DMTs) can mean you get fewer, and less serious relapses. They can slow down how fast your MS gets worse too.
In New Zealand there are now five funded first time treatment options for RRMS:
Two other funded second line treatment options for RRMS are:
Until recently DMTs couldn’t help people who don’t have relapses. But there’s now one DMT called Ocrevus (Ocrelizuma) that might help some people with early primary progressive MS.
It can be frustrating if treatments aren’t right for you or don’t work as well as you’d like. But lots of people with MS find it useful to actively manage their health in other ways, such as through diet and exercise.
Neurologists will advise the best DMT option.
Hematopoietic stem cells make blood cells. A stem cell treatment called hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is being used in some parts of the world to treat RRMS. There has been much research and clinical trials on HSCT for MS, with some promising results for some people. Research is on-going.
Stem Cell / bone marrow treatment (aHSCT) is a treatment which has only recently become available to people with multiple sclerosis in New Zealand. It is a highly invasive treatment, but has been shown to halt or slow progression of the condition in some people. Your neurologist will advise if this is an option for you.
In 2017 Michael underwent stem cell treatment in Singapore, you read about his experience here.
Many people in Auckland follow the diet and guidelines of Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis
The 7 step OMS programme includes:
Many people will look for other ways to help make them feel better such as yoga, acupuncture, reflexology, and massage. These therapies won’t cure MS, but there’s evidence that some are helpful.
When deciding on complementary and alternative treatments it’s a good idea to discuss the therapy with your doctor, talk to others who have used the therapy, research the providers background, and make sure you know the total cost of the treatment up front.
Some red flags to watch out for:
Your Community Advisor is a good person to talk to about complementary and alternative treatments that are used by people with MS.
We warmly welcome you to join MS Auckland – free of charge, without commitment, and with full respect for your privacy.
