Preventing MS Complications: A Guide to Staying Ahead

Published: Sep 11, 2024

Managing MS isn't just about treating symptoms—it's about preventing complications. Here's how you can stay proactive.

The Role of Pregnancy Planning

For women with MS planning a family, it's crucial to weigh the risks of continuing treatments against potential relapses. Discontinuing DMTs during pregnancy can lead to increased disease activity, but continuing them might affect the baby. Careful planning and consultation with healthcare providers are essential.

Preventing Rebound Activity

Stopping MS medications can sometimes cause a sudden worsening of symptoms, known as rebound activity. To prevent this, doctors often recommend transitioning to a new treatment right away. This strategy helps maintain disease control and avoid serious relapses.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic illness involving the central nervous system, where the immune system attacks the protective sheath covering nerve fibers, causing communication issues between the brain and the rest of the body.

Monitoring for PML

One rare risk of some MS treatments is PML, a serious brain infection. Regular monitoring for JCV antibodies can help identify patients at risk. Adjusting treatment plans based on these results can prevent PML from developing.

Frequently Asked Questions

By carefully planning and consulting healthcare providers.

It's a sudden worsening of symptoms after stopping a medication.

Through regular testing for JCV antibodies.

Key Takeaways

Proactive prevention can significantly impact MS management.

Get started: Explore prevention strategies with Doctronic to manage your MS effectively.

Related Articles

References

Rae-Grant A, Day GS, Marrie RA, et al. Practice guideline recommendations summary: Disease-modifying therapies for adults with multiple sclerosis: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology 2018; 90:777.

Gadani SP, Reyes-Mantilla M, Jank L, et al. Discordant humoral and T cell immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in people with multiple sclerosis on anti-CD20 therapy. EBioMedicine 2021; 73:103636.

Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.