Treatment Goals for MS
Starting treatment early and staying on treatment can make a real difference in managing your MS symptoms and slowing the progression of your disease. In fact, many MS treatments have been shown to reduce the risk of having a relapse and slow the progression of disability.
MS therapy has several goals:
- Reducing the number of relapses
- Slowing down disability progression
- Reducing the number of brain lesions
- Reducing the rate of brain shrinkage
- Improving quality of life by helping make everyday activities more manageable
Maintain High Expectations for Your MS Treatment
It's important to remember that MS therapies do not cure MS, and you may still experience symptoms while on treatment. However, with multiple sclerosis, slowing disease progression may be considered successful treatment.
Even though symptoms may still be present while you are on therapy, staying on treatment as prescribed is the key to slowing the progression of your MS.
The way your body responds to your treatment program may change over time. That's why it's important to assess your symptoms regularly to be sure that your MS treatment is meeting your goals. If you are not achieving your goals, it may be time to speak to your healthcare professional about switching MS treatments.
Achieving MS Treatment Goals
As you aim to reach your MS treatment goals, there are three things you should consider:
- Treating MS early, at the first sign of MS symptoms can help minimize nerve damage and slow MS progression. Studies have shown that treatment works best when it is used early.
- Staying on treatment is important for achieving your goals. Even if you can't see a difference and feel you don't need treatment, your MS therapy may be working to slow the progression of your MS.
- Evaluating your treatment helps you consider the effectiveness of your current MS therapy and whether it may be time for a change.
Everyone with MS is unique, and there is no test that can predict how well a treatment will work for you. However, the results of MRIs and other tests can give an idea about how well a treatment is working. Generally, if your MRI results and examinations are positive, and you are feeling well, your MS is probably being managed well.
