Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Anti-TNF can cause MS

Skywalker, don't feel bad if the NSD doesn't help you. Many people have found that it really helps them, but many have tried it and not been able to see any improvement at all.
We all have to try to find out what works for us. We are all different and our response to different meds/diets and situations are different.

As has been posted before, the side effect are extremely rare, the drug companies are required to list everything that can happen, no matter how rare they are.

Izunia, I completely understand how you feel about this. We all think long and hard before taking the biologic route because of the potential side and adverse effects. Here's the thing, try to look at it from the point of view of 'real world' stats, instead of from the scary percentages or potentials. Many of the more horrid side effects of these meds happen infrequently, much more infrequently than the patient info would imply. Listen to your body and how it is responding (whether positive or negative). That is your main key, because what happens to one patient on biologics will not, necessarily, happen to others.

The way I see it, my quality of life is so much greater on a biologic than off that, for me, it's worth the risk. In the almost six years that I've been on biologics, I've had three chest infections, and one cut on my toe that got infected. Those can be avoided easily, by washing your hands with hot water and soap (or using Purell type products), and never touching your ears, eyes, nose or mouth without washing first. If you cut yourself, wash it immediately with hot soap and water. I also use tea tree oil and I keep an antibiotic cream on hold at my pharmacist in case I need it.

The rest of it is dependent on your physiology, as I see it. So, as I said, for me, if it comes down to quality v. quantity, quality will win every time. I can live my life more fully on biologics than without them. That's all I need to know.

I hope that helps somehow.

Hugs,

My Mom was a very intelligent beautiful person. What MS did to her was really the worst case scenario. I watched her die a horrible death. I could not imagine having AS as well as MS. Watching my Mom deteriorate over a period of 10 years then die was the hardest thing I have ever encountered in my life. I find it so hard now to be objective on a subjective situation. My Mom was one of my best friends. Even a remote chance of ending up like that pierces my minds eye. She never got to see me graduate University, get a great career and have children.

I am struggling at the moment to make the best decision. One that will allow me see my kids to the point where they have there own careers and families. Its my duty to love, nurture and teach my kids everything I know. Finding out the best path to try to achieve this is not a easy task. My family is great especially my wife, I don't want to let anyone down.

I totally understand Skywalker. Watching my mom fight the MS battle is hard. She barely understands what I say now on some days. My Dad has AS, although he is in remission now. I remember when my dad's AS set in and we stopped camping and he always seemed to be in a cranky mood. Now I understand why. I did not understand or deal with it well when I was young. we have talked about that since.

I missed the last couple of years my sons were home, before they left for college, in some ways. We did not go golfing, fishing, and camping like we had for most of their lives as my feet were in an AS flare. I deeply regret not getting more aggressive treatment and enjoying those years with my sons. Memories of how my dad shut down relived themselves in my life. ON the flip the worry about MS was there for me as well. I finally decided I needed to live for the now and enjoy the activities I can do before I get to old to do them. That was my call if it helps in any way.

I know this is not easy and I hope you can find a way to make a decision that you find peace with. You have my respect and all the luck I can send you

Skywalker, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. It must have been so very hard for you and your family.

Drizz made some very good comments in his post, and my feelings on this are in the post directly above yours that I'm responding to.

You have to make the decision that's right for you. Know that we at KA will support you whatever it is.

Hugs,