Why treatment is considered a must
Having multiple sclerosis types such as relapsing – remitting, progressive – relapsing and secondary – progressive means that a doctor must be consulted as quickly as possible since taking or undergoing of disease –modifying treatment is a must at this point.
Even though there are no exacerbations, or painful and unmanageable symptoms or a present hate of needles, a physician must be consulted right away. Despite the fact that MS-related drugs have some side effects and are oftentimes inconvenient, they are still very helpful in reducing the risk for relapses and can even decrease the severity of disability for most.
However, some of those who are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis choose not to undergo treatment. In a certain study that focused on the patterns of prescription of all of the MS drugs that are known to modify the disease process and its progression, ninety-two percent visit doctors while sixty-percent opt not to have therapy.
Common assumptions
There are some costly fees associated with private insurance that seem to deter them from having therapy.
There are those with only mild symptoms, more likely in the first stages of the disorder, and choose to postpone treatment. It seems like they would want to see first what happens if they do not accept treatment. In other cases, the doctors are the ones who advise their patients to delay having therapy, especially if the symptoms are only mild in severity.
In some cases, both the patient and the physician want to see first the results of a new medication.
Most of the time, those with MS just do not take treatment simply because they do not fully understand the pros and the cons of having or not having it. Some patients are also told by their corresponding doctors not to have treatment because they do not fit for the criteria for taking the certain treatment modality.
The many differences in the patient-physician communication can limit the uptake of the treatment.
Some doctors believe that the suitability of the medications can halt them from giving drug prescriptions. What the doctors know regarding internal organizational policies and rules about using drugs related to multiple sclerosis therapy may also halt them from openly prescribing such medications.
Dislike of needles
People diagnosed with multiple sclerosis are usually scared of needles. Actually, they are probably afraid of needles even before their multiple sclerosis onsets. It is a known fact that this part is definitely no fun.
None of the drugs for treating multiple sclerosis can be taken per orem, which means orally. This means that they have no other choice but to endure an intramuscular, intravenous or a subcutaneous form of the drug.
The drug’s side effects
In most cases, people just hate taking drugs. This is usually because they are afraid of the side effects that may occur. This fear is explainable and understandable but emphasis should still be given to older MS drugs such as Copaxone, Avonex, Rebif and Betaseron since they are all safe to take.
When in doubt about a certain drug, neurologists can be consulted since they are knowledgeable on which treatment methods fit a certain type of lifestyle. Also, they can provide some tips regarding the management of side effects.
Some medical researchers have grouped together to look for tests that can evaluate some extracts of the cannabis such as the cannabidiol or CBD and the delta9-tetrahydrocanabinnol or the THC. According to their findings, a therapeutic advantage and benefit can be derived from the combination of the two aforementioned extracts, especially towards the relief of spasticity involved with multiple sclerosis.
What is spasticity?
Spasticity is a general term given to involuntary muscular contractions which are very common to multiple sclerosis. Many treatment modalities directed at this symptom of MS have rendered themselves somewhat ineffective and intolerable.
In this study by experts form the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation, namely Marie Rowland and Shaheen Lakhan, certain side effects from cannabis have the ability to limit spasticity. The intoxication from cannabis, otherwise termed as marijuana, is actually necessary for limiting spasticity. But of course, the effects vary depending on how much cannabis was taken to intoxicate. The study they conducted in Los Angeles indicates that cannabinoids have a therapeutic effect for multiple sclerosis.
The trial
People with MS who have significant leg muscle spasticity were called in from different places to take part in this experiment. There were sixteen respondents, six had primary – progressive while ten of the respondents had the secondary – progressive type. The average age was forty-six years old having MS for an average of fifteen years.
There were three groups, each of which has been allocated a certain treatment. One was set for cannabis oil, the second for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is a cannabis constituent. And lastly, the placebo capsules which only contained vegetable oil.
The multiple sclerotic people were instructed to take the drugs and reach a specific level of medication in the first five weeks of the trial, but before passing eight weeks of monitoring.
Those who took the treatment, including the physicians, have no idea which mode of treatment has been taken. Everything will only be found right after the results of the study has been determined. Physicians were tasked to assess the stiffness of the muscles and their mobility every couple of weeks. Aside from physical assessment, postal questionnaires were also utilized. All of the side effects were to be taken down.
Physicians measured the muscle tone by using a categorical scale that holds 0 as normal, 1 as mild elevation, 2 as more marked elevation, 3 as considerable increase, and 4 as rigid limb upon flexion or extension for both the arms and the legs. They had to have a score of two for inclusion.
The results
Most of what came out as results were initially anecdotal at best and somewhat difficult to interpret. But after some time of further analysis, the meaning of the results was finally determined.
The cannabinoids that were taken orally were most helpful. However, such result was not observed in all patients, only in those who smoked the cannabis. Actually, other tests in the previous years have shown their results regarding the effect of cannabinoids in controlling spasticity.
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