Medications for MS (Multiple Sclerosis)/How I Chose My First DMD/My Recent MRI-Update

March is MS awarness month, and I am doing my best to help contribute to the education of friends, family, loved ones, and newly diagnosed patients. In this video I briefly explain the medication options for Multiple Sclerosis. I describe how I went about choosing my first DMD. Finally, I update you on my December MRI results. Sorry guys; it's another long one!

[@ladykheperaankh5464]

Cassie, I'm new to your channel. Was diagnosed with M.S. last October. Am going with Terry Wahl"s Protocol. I have 3 cousins in the Same Family with M.S. I have secondary Sjogrens, R.A. and Fibromyalgia. Now this. I just turned 55yrs in Feb. Used to be they said by 40yrs old you'd have it if you were going to. Now, they're raising the age on it. Ppl getting diagnosed @ 60yrs plus

[@tonyaosborne6881]

im 55 and just two more MRIs away from diagnosis. Right now I have a diagnosis of "clinically isolated syndrome"

[@brandipenman9137]

Thank you :) facing these choices myself and it is great to hear the same process from someone else. :)

[@cassieski8005]

I hope you are doing well Brandi!

[@stephholeary]

You make having MS sound not AS bad! Thank you thank you thank you for having such an upbeat attitude in this video! Also you did a great job at talking about the medication. I think I have a better understanding now. I wish I would have watched this before I picked my medication! I also have a terrible fear of the MRI's so any tips you have send them our way!

[@cassieski8005]

Thank you! How are you doing?

[@metaspencer]

Cool to see you working through so much. I'm always struck by just how much info there is to assimilate ... and then it's all coming from different perspectives and viewpoints. Nice video and surely helpful to many. Hang in!

[@metaspencer]

The MRI is simply a struggle, even for those of us who don't have clausterphobia. (I get so overheated in that tube!) I guess open MRI's are more comfortable, but often less powerful (resulting in lousy images). I also have pretty big looking spinal cord lesions, and try not to let it freak me out. From what I've read, there is not always a 100% correlation between visual indications via MRI and actual disease activity. Anyway ... stay strong! Your attitude sounds great, and I think that's really key

[@cassieski8005]

My spinal cord lesion worries me the most. From what I have been told, and have learned, is that involvement of the spinal cord is worrisome simply due to there being less “real-estate” of it. What I mean by that, is the brain had the ability to compensate for lesions and nerve damage simply because it has more “real-estate” to work with. It has more surface area to “rewire” and compensate for MS damage. The spinal cord is just premium real-estate. There is not a lot of compensating that can occur. Now, I agree and mentioned it in my 2nd video (part 2), that you can have two Patients MRI’s side by side, one is lit up like a Christmas Tree, the other had just a few lesions. Clinically, you may guess the patient with a heavy lesion load is not doing well with ambulating etc., and one may guess the patient with 1-2 lesions is doing well-walking etc. When the truth is, it could be reversed. The patient with just a few lesions may very well be showing many outward symptoms (struggling walking, balance etc.). It is the location and size of the lesions that often matters most.

[@metaspencer]

All well said. I worry about my spinal cord lesions, too ... but also try to just accept them as scars I've picked up along the road. My hope for you, of course, is that things stabilize! Hang in there

[@danielmcinerney9949]

Have you stayed with the same DMT ? I’m on ocravus thanks

[@isiartdotcom]

Hi there lovely one, just found you channel and hope you are still doing well; noticed that you haven't uploaded for a year so hope all is good for you. I was diagnosed in '88 and am still doing fairly well. Many issues of course but no wheel chair and only occasional need for cane and mobility scooter. I ha e worked my way up to infusion as Copaxone and abagio didn't stop any progression for me. Tried many diet protocols over the years giving each a couple of years. I can now say that the ketogenic diet is the one that has made my daily activities and cognitive ability so much better. A marked improvement actually! How do I know? Two years on it, better health and better energy control. Two months off it and I'm back to being heavily fatigued. Have started back on Keto this week so may take a month so if and when I see a change in the positive I'll let you know. Keto is anti inflammatory by the way. X Isi

[@cassieski8005]

isiart.net beauty and lifestyle keto has peaked my interest lately, so thank you for sharing! I am doing well! I know I haven’t uploaded in a long time, and I need to for sure! It really is just because life got busy, not because of my MS. I try to at least hop on here and respond to people to keep engaged.

[@frasercarrie9777]

Hello my daughter was diagnosed with MS in 2020 at the age of 16. She is now in a study and is getting Rituximab infusions 2 times a year and has been flare up free now for 1 1/2 years. This is a study but maybe worth looking I to if this would be an option for you. I love your videos , and watch them with my daughter all the time.

[@cassieski8005]

Awe, I love that you watch them together. I am sorry she was diagnosed so young, but glad she is receiving treatment. I have switched therapies in the last year, and do need to post an update video! I appreciate everyone still hanging around with me🤍

[@amberwilson8451]

Thank you for your videos!!! I am looking at this diagnosis so the info with the medications was helpful. How are you doing now? Have you had more follow up MRI's/ how is your spinal lesion?

[@cassieski8005]

Hi Amber, you’re welcome! Thank you for your supportive comment. This video was close to my heart, because I had a hard time understanding treatment options when going through this process. I am “clinically” doing well. I have not had any relapses since my last BIG relapse that led to diagnosis. I do have permanent baseline changes that I deal with. I had an MRI in June, and another coming up in March. The June MRI showed no new lesions! Yay! However, my largest lesion in my spinal cord is not behaving “normally”. We are watching it for now. How are you?

[@amberwilson8451]

@@cassieski8005 I have a follow up with a neurologist in about 3 weeks... my first MRI showed lesions but they didn't do one on my spine yet. My blood work did show low B12 so that is a small ray of hope for my symptoms but I had neurological issues last year (dizziness that came in waves and lasted for about 2 months). This time my whole body is numb which is very annoying. I am just trying to stay positive (aka not freak out..) I have a very stressful, demanding job that I am passionate about (6-12 band director) and the prospect of leaving that is the most terrifying.... What date is your MRI in March? I will be saying prayers for a good result for you :)

[@jocelynpoesnecker5526]

So Glorious Is God, The Lord of all of us. Seek Help from God.

[@CatherineESeuferling]

How do you spell The name of your medication that you’re on I’m currently on Copaxone and I feel like it’s not working and I need to make a change thank you so much for all your feedback and detailed explanation I very much appreciate it I’m newly diagnosed about three months ago

[@cassieski8005]

Catherine Seuferling, Kronos Developer Hi Catherine, I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Yet, I am SO glad my videos helped in some small way. I am currently taking Aubagio 14mg. Would love to hear more as to why you do not think Copaxone is not working.

[@starlaberge9792]

I am on the generic version of Copaxone, which is Glatopa. I don't feel it's working very well either. I'm still in a relapse of the 2nd month. I have been told by my Neurologist to not drive for 3 months because of an episode I had while driving. It was VERY scary. So,ya, I don't feel it's working very well at all

[@annamcgee7434]

I’ve just been diagnosed with MS last month and just moved to Montana 5 days ago. Where have you gone to find a neurologist here in MT? I have an appointment with Mayo in Phoenix in about 10 days. But I’d like to have a doctor closer to home.

[@cassieski8005]

Montana is short on neuros! If you are in Western Montana, you may consider traveling to the MS Clinic in Spokane.

[@annamcgee7434]

Cassie Ski I just got an appointment there in October. Good to know it’s one you’ve hear of and even suggest.😊

[@kerirhinehart6346]

Do you ever talk with people? There are so many questions that I have...

[@cassieski8005]

I have definitely had private conversations with people from this platform. Usually in the form of connecting via instagram or FB, and a few women who are local to me I have met in person! I have spoken via phone with a few friends of friends who just wanted to her another patient’s perspective.

[@annamcgee7434]

Cassie Ski what is your Facebook name? If possible I’d like to talk to you on messenger or something?