Thursday, March 13, 2008

So, here's what's going on with me...I have MS and my doctor says it's time for medication.  I think I've done everything possible to avoid medication until now.  I generally avoid sugar, nutrasweet, white four, red meat. and dairy products except plain organic yogurt .  I've been doing those things for a while.  Sugar is a tough scenario sometimes and I have trouble avoiding it at times, but we all need a little treat once in a while.  I've been grinding my own wheat flower and cooking with 100% wheat for about three years now (now you know how crazy I really am).  I also take lots of vitamins and exercise regularly as well.  These were all things that I have done over the past years to improve how I feel and and they are still helping, but not enough.  So, now I have my choice between Copaxone, Avonex, and Rebif and I've been reading through "the binders".  You know what I mean if you've been in my situation.  None of them are particularly appealing.  I feel like I'm choosing among  the best of the worst, not to mention their cost (eek)!  So, if you've been in my shoes, I'd like some advice.  What drug do you take if you have MS and what's your opinion of it.  You can email if you like instead of posting a comment.  I find that most people who don't have MS know someone who does.  I just want to get all of the input I can.  The MRI did come out good though.  Nothing active and very little change from the MRI last year.  So, that's positive!

With the added stress from the last few days, I've been trying to doing some actual scrapbooking because I spend so much time designing that I forget I haven't scrapped in a while.  I have a new sketch challenge that I have started at GDS.  Here is a preview of the posting bonus:

andreagold_dtemplate19_preview  

Untitled-6

Side A is free to get you started in the challenge and you get side B after you submit a layout with side A.  I hope no one is getting tired of double templates because they have been a lot of fun in the sketch challenge so far! 

>>You can download side A and find out more here<<

Again, I would appreciate your comments on the fabulous topic for today!  :)

19 comments:

BTMIN said...

First, thank you for the beautiful template! You are an amazing designer. Second, I wish I had some information about medication for you, but unfortunately, I don't. My best friends father has been living with MS for 27+ years, and has found that ASAP Silver, or Silver Biotics (as it is called at GNC), really helps how he feels. Its an immune system booster and you just drink a tsp in the morning and at night. Thought I'd tell you what I could! Good luck with your decision and thanks again for your wonderful work!!

Anonymous said...

Andrea, my husband has MS. He has primary progressive, though, and that means that there is nothing they can give him that will work. We have heard of all three of these medicines and have also heard that they are of real benefit to those who take them. I just wish that my husband had the type of MS that could benefit from medications.

Unknown said...

What a great template. Thank you.

And good luck on your quest for information

Anonymous said...

All I can suggest is that you contact

http://www.kate_teague.typepad.com/

She designed the Songbird Avenue kit to benefit the MS foundation because she has MS.

Myxi said...

Thank you so much for the wonderful template. I don't know anyone have MS, but I can say this about medications in general.
Most of the time the positive results of the drug far outweigh the side effects of the drug. Remember too, that when they list the side effects, that it is a blanket list covering everything that "could" happen to a person taking the drug. Being human, we automaticallhy think "Oh my, I am going to have ALL of these side effects!"

Anonymous said...

Andrea, I don't know anyone with MS. I wish I could help with your drug opinion info search. I know with the drugs used for children diagnosed with early onset bipolar the information books scared me. It was so hard to decide what was right for Mateo. Good luck!

Shellianne said...

i just wish you didn't have to deal with it. i'm so sorry and praying for you. love you. you're an amazing example.

Anonymous said...

Andrea,
Thank you so much for the template. I look forward to coming to your page everyday but I also know that you need to take care of your self and your family first.
I wish I had some answers for you but I don't know much about MS.

Karen M in FL said...

I have no MS advise. We do have an older woman at our church who I'm guessing has to be in at least her 60's as her son is retired military. She has only had to move to a walker this past year. So I guess that is a message of hope.

And thanks for the heads up on the template challenge. I just finished up the last challenge I had posted on my to do list so the timing is perfect. It seems trying to keep up with challenges helps me keep up with getting something accomplished scrap wise.

Stephanie (schock77) said...

My best friend has MS, but she actually WENT somewhere for spring break (unlike me sitting at home with the kiddos). When she gets back I'll ask her what she takes. She felt the same way you did about the meds (she's also the same age as you)but once she started on the meds, she said she realized how poor her quality of life was before. She didn't even realize how much pain she was really in until she got some relief.
Anyway, I'll be thinking of you and hope you get to feeling better soon! :)

Danielle said...

Thanks so much for the template. I can't wait to use it and also for the challenge. I love the prize being side 2.

I will keep you in my prayers!

Tanya Nichols said...

Andrea,

I have no recommendation on medication, although some go off wheat and see an improvement as well.

Stephanie said...

Andrea --
my sister in law has fairly progressive ms and has gone through some extensive treatment -- if you are interested I can get in you contact with her.

Anonymous said...

Andrea, I am sorry you are facing these difficult choices. I have RA, and faced some similar medication choices. It is certainly not easy. I hope you receive helpful input and are able to come up with a decision that fits for you and your family. I will keep you in my thoughts.

Thank you for continuing to share your wonderful talent with us.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the template Andrea. I'm sorry that I don't have any info to offer you. I wish you all the luck with what you decide to do. God Bless you and your family.

Unknown said...

thanks so much and my prayers are with you!

Hawaiianatheart said...

I'm sorry you are going through this! I have no answers regarding MS but wanted to throw out another thing to consider. I have a rare form of arthritis (similar to RA) and the medication choices were downright scary. My husband and I opted for another route once we knew they were going to start the scarier stuff. Figured it was worth a shot. He's not really a holistic dr but I really don't know how else to describe him. He leans more towards natural supplements and diet restrictions/additions. He also recommended I try yoga (one geared toward my limitations) and acupuncture. It has done wonders for me! I'm hoping to stay off the meds but I'm not counting on it. At least for now though I'm able to and I'll take it! I have no idea if this si something that could work for you, and you may have already looked into such, but I thought I'd mention it.

Best wishes & prayers sent up for you!

Anonymous said...

God bless you, wishing you all the best.

Maria said...

Hi Andrea. I'm so sorry to hear of your battle with MS. It must be particularly difficult with young children. I think I'd try the Silver first - it's great your scan hasn't shown any deterioration so perhaps you have some time to try a more natural alternative? I have had some severe side-effects from medications so I completely understand your quest for information - I would do the same. God Bless!

Maria

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  • My Husband says there's a perfectly good reason for the leatherman being in my dish drainer.
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