Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) isn’t always easy. In fact, it can be a jarring journey that requires resilience, adaptation, and hope.
Fortunately, modern medications have made this journey far smoother, even in the worst cases of the disease. But there’s a catch. While many modern meds can help manage this chronic autoimmune condition, slowing its progression and reducing relapses, they also come with issues.
With powerful treatments come potentially serious side effects. And in many cases, these side effects can significantly disrupt one’s life.
From energy crashes to digestive issues, injection site reactions, and more, the cost of using MS meds should not be understated.
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But there’s good news. With the right strategies, you can ‘treat the treatment’ and use your MS therapies reliably and successfully.
Let’s get right into it…
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Understanding the Side Effects
Most MS medications help with symptoms and disease progression in one primary way: they change your immune system. This is commonly called immunomodulation, meaning that these drugs help to lower inflammation and protect the nerve fibers affected by the disease.
Known as disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), medications such as interferons, oral drugs, and infusions can often lead to unintended consequences. The reason for these side effects is complicated, but it stems from immune suppression.
In some cases, the timing of your doses also has a significant effect on your health, physical and mental. On a smaller scale, many injectable drugs can also cause local reactions, such as swelling, redness, and pain around the injection site.
Fortunately, with some proactive lifestyle adjustments, you can manage all of these issues.
Addressing Energy Crashes
Anyone with MS knows that fatigue, sometimes debilitating, is a common occurrence. However, some medications can make this worse, leaving patients not only drained but oftentimes, tired out of nowhere. This sudden fatigue can make daily life difficult, especially when you’re trying to get things done.
Take, for instance, the drug class known as interferons, which are notorious for causing flu-like symptoms and tiredness. Other medications, like the orally administered fingolimod, are also known to drain your energy.
If you’re losing energy or getting tired suddenly, one effective strategy is to adjust the timing of your medication. Try taking it at night so your body can process the drug while you sleep. Additionally, make sure you have a consistent sleep schedule (seven to nine) hours per night.
If you’re struggling to get quality rest, examine your habits. You should be limiting any caffeine or excess sugar during the afternoon and evening. If you just love coffee for energy, consider herbal teas or protein-loaded snacks such as yogurts and nuts. This can provide sustained energy and avoid the spikes and crashes of other foods.
Your neurologist can also provide tips to keep you feeling energized. If dosage adjustments don’t work, supplements like vitamin B12 and CoQ10 can help. Light exercise, such as stretching or a short walk, can boost your energy without making you exhausted.
Calming the Gut
A common oral MS medication, dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera), often contributes to gut problems. These can be everything from nausea to vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and abdominal pain.
Fortunately, the solution may be fairly simple. Taking your medication with food is a powerful fix. Meals with heavy fats, such as avocado or olive oil, and protein, such as chicken, can help ease irritation. You can also try changing your meal times. Go for smaller or more frequent meals, avoiding the common three-meals-a-day routine.
Not sure how to do this? Opt for a light breakfast, a snack a little later, a smaller lunch, an afternoon snack, and a satisfying (but not overly large) dinner. This way, your digestion runs smoothly throughout the day, without too much burden from giant meals.
And don’t forget to hydrate. Sip on water all day, especially beverages rich in electrolytes, such as coconut water. If your gut continues to give you problems, look into probiotics to restore your flora balance. This can include supplements, yogurt, or kefir.
Last but not least, when nausea rears its ugly head, grab the peppermint or ginger tea. These two are a great combo and contain necessary compounds known to relieve nausea.
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Soothing the Skin
If you’re using injectable DMTs like interferon beta or glatiramer acetate, local reactions are common. These generally happen because the skin reacts to the needle or the drug itself, and for some people, they can be more than an annoyance. They can lead to more serious, systemic complications.
The first thing you can do is avoid excessively damaging the injection site. To accomplish this, simply rotate injection sites. Whether it’s your thighs, arms, or abdomen, give each area a break! To complement this, use a cold pack before injecting. This can help numb the spot and reduce discomfort, followed by a warm compress afterward that eases any swelling and soreness.
You should also be mindful of how you inject the medication.
Proper technique is critical, so ensure that the needle angle and depth match your doctor’s instructions. If your med is refrigerated, wait until it’s room temperature before you use it. As for treating the inflammation, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can be quite useful.
That said, always consult your healthcare team before trying anything. If any severe swelling or infection occurs, contact a medical professional right away.
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Managing Hair Loss
One of the last but not least areas of MS side effects is hair loss. Although less common, hair loss and hair thinning are as much psychological as they are physical. Medications like dimethyl fumarate – and sometimes just stress alone – can disrupt your natural growth cycles.
The good news is it’s often temporary.
When it comes to hair loss from your MS meds, consider a holistic approach. Eat a diet that is rich in biotin and filled with foods such as eggs, almonds, salmon, and sweet potatoes. You also want to boost your body’s iron levels, so make sure you get ample spinach and red meat as well. Finally, be aware of zinc deficiency, supplementing, or eating foods like pumpkin seeds and oysters.
Before you begin a supplement regimen, consult your doctor to avoid possible interactions with your MS medications. If the hair loss doesn’t lessen, reach out to a dermatologist. In many cases, a dermatologist can prescribe treatments like topical minoxidil to help.
Overall, managing the side effects of your MS meds is about teamwork. This isn’t a solo mission. You will be working closely with your healthcare providers, so never hesitate to bring up questions and concerns. If you’re unsure of possible side effects, keep a symptom journal to track what you experience, when, and how severely.
And finally, never neglect your mental health. Counseling or support groups can address the emotional weight of even the most troubling side effects.
With some lifestyle tweaks, a proactive approach, and open communication with your doctors, your MS journey will be that much easier. You’ll be feeling better and enjoying the most of your meds before you know it!
