Knowledge is power
The more you know about your multiple sclerosis (MS), the better you will be prepared to shape your future. The more you know, the better the discussions you'll have with your doctor and the more you'll understand.
In MS, there are activities we can see (disability and MS relapses) and activities that we can't see (MS activity in the brain). MS can manifest itself in visible, noticable ways (e.g. relapses) but also in more subtle ways, detectable only by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Understanding your disease allows you to make informed choices, especially regarding your treatments. Non-visible processes should also be taken seriously and any adjustments to treatment should be discussed with your treating neurologist.
Finding the right balance for you
Science has made great progress in developing MS treatments. But each treatment has its advantages and disadvantages, from its effectiveness, to its side effects, to how the mediaction must be taken. How do you choose your treatment together with your doctor?
Efficacy
Very efficient or less efficient treatments? What's best for you?
Side effects
Which ones? How to deal with them?
Administration
How and how often do you take your medication?
Early treatment of disease activity
Early treatment of disease activity with high efficacy treatment can make a difference in the future. Researchers have found that starting with a high efficacy – and therefore more efficacious – treatment to prevent and delay MS damage can make a big difference over time.
People who started high efficacy treatment at the beginning of their MS had better results than those who started the same treatment later.
Even if you don't have symptoms, MS can continue to do lasting damage to your body. So early treatment can make a big difference.
Disability
progression
If the disability progresses over time, your brain will have a harder time repairing itself and adapting to neurological changes.
Relapses of MS
Relapses lead to a gradual progression of the disability. Some disabilities do not regress completely.
Disease activity
Lesions detected by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can show where there is disease activity and indicate the likelihood of a relapse and worsening of disability.