| Jelinab-MSwalk.net Alternative treaments |
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| There are many alternative treatments as well as those who claim to know of alterantive treatments. Some are legitimate or at least appear to be others to me appear to be snake oil salesman preying on those who suffer from MS and are looking for a miracle. First let me cover the treatments which appear to be legitimate or ones which have been used in the past. Methtrexate: A weekly oral medicine which in a small study reduced the effects of MS as measured on MRIas well as decreasing the progression of the disease. The Side effects were serious however: scarring of lungs or fibrosis, hepatoxicity or a destrucive effect on the liver as well as decrease of bone marrow. Imuran: An oral medication which was shown to decrease lesions in patients with both relapsing and prgoressive forms of the disease. It showed decreasing rate in both relapse rate as well as lesion activity with a modest effect on disease progression.. Side effects included a decrease in bone marrow, gastro intestinal symptoms and an increase in liver enzymes. Cladribine: An oral medicationwhich showed a decrease in lesion activity with no known effects on therelapse rate or disease progression. Side effects include Bone Marrow decrease,and Gastro intestinal disorders. Sandimmune: Has shown some effect in reducing the change as measured on disability scale in progressive MS.Side effects include hypertension,seizures,raised liver enzymes, malignancy and mild bone marrow decrease. |
| Bee sting therapy:We have met a woman who stings herself with bees as a part of her treatment. She swears by this. There is a lady who lives in Eastern Maryland who stings people suffering from muscle spasticity. She stings people in the affected area of muscle cramping and spasms. The lady we have known since 1998 and she seems to be doing very well. I am unsure of whether it is the bee sting or other treatments she is on. I do know the carriers at the post office when carrying the bees are most likely praying that the box is sealed well. Marijuana:Researchers have found in mice that had had muscle spasticity induced endocannaboids increased when given "pot." The only thing this really proved was that the test subjects were mice. Humans already produce endocannaboids and an increase in this may be beneficial in the relief of muscle spasms. Side effects may include an increase in appetite and possibly a lethargic lifestyle. Seriously Medical Marijuana and prescription of it is on the rise in the US. Some states such as Maryland have gone so far as to decriminalize it if you can prove a medical need and a prescription. Good luck finding a Dr. willing to break federal law and prescribe it though. Low Dose Naltrexone: Originally dismissed by most doctors there have been few studies of LDN. The National MS Society has sponsored a couple of tests recently one at the University of San Francisco. There are also a few studies currently ongoing over seas. There have been claims of a 98% success rate with it in the treatment of MS. The list of diseases and conditions which LDN can be used in treating is long and varied in origin Some of which are Alzheimers, Crohns disease, and some forms of cancer. With a success rate like this one has to ask themselves why have there been no clinical studies on this drug. Naltrexone was originally prescribed for substance addiction in doseages of 50mg. In treating MS the start up doseage is usually between 1.5 to 3.0 mg reaching a maximum doseage of 4.5 mg thus the change in name to Low Dose Naltrexone.. Personally I am a skeptic and waiting to see positive scientific test results rather than the e-mail testimonials I received based on my previous writings about LDN. .If you want more information about Low Dose Naltrexone you can do a google search of Low Dose Naltexone. There is also a support group for those who are taking or thinking about LDN online. Go to Yahoo groups and search Low Dose Naltrexone.. It should be noted that the best treatment is one of a proactive nature rather than reactive. There is a lot of denial with MS patients not willing to call a Dr. everytime they have a pain or a bad day but when those bad days turn into bad weeks it is time to give in and re-acquaint yourself with your neurologist. See our " a day to remember" page and do not put your family and friends thru that type of an experience |
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