Hansa,

I am 74 yo female and I was dx with RRMS in 2015. I was put on gabapentin and Avonex injectable and have been taking both ever since. I just had a series of annual MRIs which show no new lesions (there were just a few to begin with; spinal tap confirmed MS 9 years ago) and that MS is stable.

I also have been dx with bladder and breast cancer in ‘18 & ‘20 respectively. I had a laminectomy of L3, 4, 5 & S1 last May.

I am on a boatload of medications. I have been in a quandry for some time now as to what is causing what between my medications and treatments. Chemo for breast cancer was not kind to me as lost hair and nails and it exacerbated the neuropathy I was experiencing as part of (we think) the MS. Radiation is hard to tell though I have some fibrosis. Now the neuropathy in my feet and legs is very uncomfortable and becoming a major concern for me. I also am experiencing a heaviness in my legs which is making walking any distance an issue.

I am showing signs on the recent MRIs of additional spinal stenosis and disc disturbance above the site of my past surgery which could be contributing to ongoing pain and dysfunction with walking.

I wonder which medications are contributing to pain, weight gain and general feeling of unwellness despite being prescribe to alleviate high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, sleep disturbance, estrogen levels and MS…it’s never ending…

I have a “concierge” PCP who should be the steward of my ship and while he has overseen my care fairly thoroughly and states I’m stable, my medical care is chopped up between specialists and none knows what the other is doing or prescribing and that makes me crazy. I have been seen at Mayo Clinic, went to MD Anderson for 2nd Breast cancer opinion, saw another private neurologist and came away exactly the same as I went in.

I’m finding it harder and harder to accept that this is how I should be feeling and while my PCP is retiring, I will seek out the doc who bought his practice and examine his care plan for me. He has a different approach I’m told, more holistic with different options.

I think this is very much the state of wellness for those of us with multiple issues and comorbidities. Finding answers in today’s healthcare system is so difficult. I would encourage a thorough conversation with your doctor as there is a spectrum of medications to treat MS…such as Ocrevus, prescribed early in your PPMS dx…it’s an infusion. There are beta interferons and meds for secondary progressive MS…You’ll find many have done their own research and are willing to share.

Good health to you…