Drugs
If a relapse occurs, it is important to ensure that the symptoms that are expressing themselves are not due to infection or another secondary cause. If the relapse is proven to be symptomatic, the generic treatment is a 3-5 day course of methylprednisolone in high doses. A corticosteroid, which can be administered orally or intravenously with similar efficacies, it decreases the inflammatory response thus increasing the recovery time from the relapse. Methylprednisolone has been used since the 1980’s to treat the symptoms of a relapse in the short term, with high efficiency. Steroids are only used during acute relapses, and it is ill-advised to take more than 3 courses in a year. Long term treatment using steroids can cause adverse sight effects; weight gain, osteoporosis and diabetes to name a few.
MS is difficult to treat due to the range of symptoms that can present, in varying severities. However individual symptoms can be treated. Probably the most prevalent symptom of MS is visual problems, as demyelination of the optic nerve is frequent. An eye test can resolve this issue, or gabapentin if the problem is more severe.
Demyelination of the spinal cord is a certainty of this disease, which in turn affects the peripheral nervous system, causing muscle spasms & stiffness. If day-to-day activity is restricted due to this, physiotherapy is the answer. Gabapentin, baclofen or diazepam are muscle relaxants, and are used for more severe cases when physiotherapy treatment is limited. These treatments will also help to reduce any mobility problems, by diminishing the number of muscle spasms, and increasing muscle strength. Musculoskeletal pain comes hand-in-hand with muscle spasms & stiffness, due to pressure exerted onto the joints. A physiotherapist may be able to advise how to reduce the pain yourself, however analgesics are usually prescribed.
As the disease progresses and nerves get damaged, a sharp, neuropathic pain may arise. It can present itself in other ways, such as intense skin sensitivity. Again, gabapentin is the best drug to treat this, although amitriptyline, an antidepressant, is equally effective.
Some symptoms are difficult to treat with drugs, for example problems in the cognitive area of the brain, giving rise to speech, thought and memory complications. A professional in clinical psychology can suggest methods of managing the difficulties involved with this symptom. Clinical psychologists are also helpful in learning to control any emotional outbursts, and may recommend antidepressants if necessary.