The drug --- the freak out over it...

[mo222]

SO freaked out..... omg big time...

spinal thingy   is coming up...um yeah needles in my back...scares the crap out of me- im not a big fan of pain...

the meds they are going to put me on..are scary too...

What is MS

Multiple sclerosis, often called MS, is a disease that affects the central nervous system—the brain and spinal cord. It can cause problems with muscle control and strength, vision, balance, feeling, and thinking.

" yeah it really does. mess with your head"

Your nerve cells have a protective covering called myelin. Without myelin, the brain and spinal cord can't communicate with the nerves in the rest of the body. MS gradually destroys myelin in patches throughout the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness and other symptoms. These patches of damage are called lesions.

"Which i have TONS of"

The drug- or what the doc said he was planning on giving me....

What is Betaseron?      http://www.drugs.com/betaseron.html

Betaseron (interferon) is made from human proteins. Interferons help the body fight viral infections.--------

" Whatever it is sounds nasty to me"

.

Betaseron is given as an injection under the skin usually at bedtime every 48 hours (2 days). You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home

."Heck no! no way... my dh is giving them to me- there is just NO way...."

your blood and liver function will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your thyroid function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

"And how exactly is this going to make me feel better? "

 the most common Betaseron side effects included:-http://multiple-sclerosis.emedtv.com/betaseron/betaseron-side-effects.html

 

• Skin reactions at the injection site (such as redness or pain) -- in up to 78 percent of people
• Flu-like symptoms (such as fever, chills, or muscle aches) -- up to 57 percent
• Weakness -- up to 53 percent
• Headaches -- up to 50 percent
• Pain -- up to 42 percent
• Muscle pain -- up to 23 percent
• Insomnia -- up to 21 percent.
• Depression (see Betaseron and Depression)
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior
• Signs of liver problems, such as yellow eyes or skin (jaundice)
• Infection or an open sore at the injection site
• Frequent infections, which may be a sign of low white blood cells
• Unusual bruising or bleeding, which may be a sign of low blood platelets
• Thyroid problems
• Chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing, high blood pressure, or other signs of heart problems
• Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained rash, hives, itching, unexplained swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

"AWESOME- just what i need  a happy happy joy joy pill....wee fun... really importat to me that the world is a positive place and this is not going to help at all.. IM still wondering how the heck this is going to make me feel better..."

Final Thoughts on Betaseron Side Effects

It is possible that you may experience some or none of the Betaseron side effects listed in this article. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell whether any particular side effect (such as nausea) is caused by Betaseron or other factors.

"I'll be happy with the none thank you very much!"

I suppose if you don't know what MS is- it might help if i tell you a bit about it

What is multiple sclerosis? http://health.yahoo.com/ms-overview/multiple-sclerosis-ms-topic-overview/healthwise--hw190816.html

MS is different for each person. You may go through life with only minor problems. Or you may become seriously disabled. Most people are somewhere in between. Generally, MS follows one of four courses:

• Relapsing-remitting, where symptoms fade and then return off and on for many years. "PLZ LET ME BE HERE"
  
• Secondary progressive, which at first follows a relapsing-remitting course and then becomes progressive. “Progressive” means it steadily gets worse
• ." im thinking here tho... dang it all feles like here"

• Primary progressive, where the disease is progressive from the start.-            "no way! lets just skip that one"
  
• Progressive relapsing, where the symptoms come and go but nerve damage steadily gets worse. "for sure stop it before it even thinks about getting here..."
• http://health.yahoo.com/ms-overview/multiple-sclerosis-ms-topic-overview/healthwise--hw190816.html
  

The cool think i was reading is that creativity is important to keep the mind working- I wonder if that is what kinda drew me to photography in the first place...Things that make you go Hmmmmmm...I have that part covered -- even if its frustration some times...

bummer is... that i like to be in control of all things ME-  this is not really giving me much control- maybe w the "I feel crazy" crap it will which is a positive...

Oh and i start my stop smoking pill Monday- weeeee..um no...Im going to be on so many drugs---blaaaaaaaaaaahhh

[LadyBast]

Nov. 1, 2009 at 6:28 PM

OMG I had no idea there was so much. Liz my friend never said all of that. Keep your chin up I say if it has to happen then I guess it will. You never know so will keep positive thought for you, damn the no smoking pill sucks. Liz smokes daily, why do you have to stop?? Makes no sense and she has had this forever, diagnosed like 40 years ago?

Good luck and I have a shoulder! Hugs :)

[mo222]

Nov. 1, 2009 at 7:33 PM

as for the quitting- this MS thing is a motivator to change- Its just not ok IMO to add fuel to the fire... It is something i should do anyway...but this kicked me in the butt-

Some people do- some people drink on the meds- its just not going to be me- half ass is not an option any more- i could im sure and it would not be a big deal- but for me if health is the goal... i have to start at  some place- its a control thing i think for me...lack of control in all this other bs I have to make up for it some place else...

its just not how i do things---  -- As  close as i  can get to 100% effort or its nothing--.. for me personally i just could not look at myself/my family in the mirror/face ands say im fighting a good fight and keep smoking  it would be BS-

.

Oh im sure your friend does not tell you lots of stuff- and it really depends on where she is in her progression... there are meds that have to be self injected deeper in to the tissue...but you take them less often...just depends on her- everyone is so different w MS-I

 

 

(Original Poster)