No meds, no problem! Right? After 25 years of taking meds, it feels really strange. The purpose of the meds is to slow progression of the disease and reduce the symptoms. 
Traveling will be easy!
Every six months I get blood tests. My lymphocyte count had been too low so he cut the dosage in half. A year later, the most recent blood work indicated that cutting the dosage didn't help. I said, “What do we do now?”
“I want you to stop taking the drug, today. Let’s do a six month holiday from the meds. Before you come back for your next visit, do an MRI and another blood work-up. We’ll discuss what to do from that point. Also, new drugs are going to be available next year that reportedly have less impact on the immune system.”
Immediately, I’m feeling good! No more drugs to worry about, especially when we travel. The bigger issue is no more side effects. As predicted, my body gradually learned to accommodate Vumerity. All of the other drugs I took had lingering side effects. Avonex, a weekly injectable was the worst. I had light to moderate flu-like symptoms for two days each week. The one we just dropped, Vumerity, was taken orally and had digestive side effects.
Feeling good for the grands!
This respite is an opportunity for a grand experiment. My theory is that the diet, exercise, and alternative therapies I do regularly will continue keeping me feeling good. If I’m feeling good the symptoms must be under control. If that’s the case, maybe there won’t be any progression of the disease.
On the other hand, what if I’m wrong? What does that mean about my diet, exercise and therapies? Are they responsible for how good I feel or just fluff? I advocate working hard to feel good. Will my suggestions hold up?
Acupuncture and therapies work
What data should I look for? I will make a list of indicators to track for physical, emotional, and mental stability. I have lots of good data on my I-watch and phone. I will need to engage friends, family and therapists to help identify slippage in harder to track areas like critical thinking, problem solving and quickness.
MS works invisibly and slowly. I wonder if six months is long enough for a good trial and could any changes be due to normal aging? People that see me regularly may not pick up on subtle changes.
Strength training is a must do
Bottom line, I’m optimistic. I trust the medical care I get at Raleigh Neurology. I also trust and am grateful to my team of therapists who monitor me regularly. This is a grand experiment! If I’m right, it validates what I do. Regardless of the outcome, I remind myself everyday that the time i spend on exercise, diet and therapies is my job. It keeps me feeling good and that’s all that matters.
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