Oral Medications

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In terms of healthcare and medicine, oral medications for MS are still considered to be in their infancy. Coming onto the market just five years ago, oral medications for MS were saviors for many. They provided relief from the injections I talked about last week and they provided hope for research of the future. When I was first diagnosed, oral treatments seemed like they were still just a thought, a figment of medical imagination. But a few years later they hit the market, to the cheers and sighs of relief of many patients.

The first on the scene was Gilenya in 2010. Gilenya is believed to work by preventing certain types of white blood cells from crossing the blood-brain barrier. By doing so, it is believed that this reduces inflammation and damage to nerve cells. Gilenya seemed to be an answer to many MSers prayers, no more shots! But soon after many began taking it, the reports of side effects came out. This is not unusual, as with any drug there are often side effects. But with such a high profile drug, the side effects were high profile as well. One of the main side effects reported was heart issues within the first 24 hours of taking the first dose. And sadly in 2011 an individual experienced the worst side effect possible when they passed away within 24 hours of taking their first dose. This led to regulation changes including having an EEG prior to starting the medication and being monitored for 6 hours in the hospital after receiving a first dosage. Gilenya has also been known to cause vision, breathing or liver problems in some individuals which has prompted some groups to urge the FDA to use more restrictions on the medication. There’s always two sides to every coin though, and some people report wonderful relief from their symptoms and are able to do things they haven’t done in years.
Next to emerge was Aubagio in 2012. Aubagio is believed to work by inhibiting the function of specific immune cells that are believed to be present in MS. Patients were happy to have another oral option besides Gilenya, and it proved research was still marching forward. When taking Aubagio, one of the requirements is to have liver enzymes checked regularly as Aubagio could damage the liver. There are also other side effects as well; flushing, hair loss or hair thinning among others.
I was on Aubagio for about a year after Copaxone. I experienced major hair loss (at least I thought it was major) and I had a relapse while taking it as well. Clearly my body was telling me it was time to switch!
The last oral medication to make its way into the world was Tecfidera in 2013. Tecfidera was formally known as BG-12, it was formulated specifically for people with MS and has been used in Germany at higher doses to treat acute flare ups of psoriasis for years. It is thought to inhibit immune cells and may have specific antioxidant properties that might protect against damage in the brain and spinal cord. The main side effect reported by many individuals when taking Tecfidera is flushing. In 2014 an individual sadly passed away from PML, which prompted more stringent warning labels and JC Virus testing for patients taking Tecfidera.
As I mentioned, the only one of these medications I was on (so far) was Aubagio. I experienced what I would consider extreme hair loss (having to clean up the shower and floor every day) and a major relapse while taking it. As for the other possible side effects, I didn’t notice anything else. I loved the idea of being able to take an oral medication for MS instead of an injection, but my body had different plans for me. If I need to transition off of Tysabri in the future, I will definitely look to one of the other oral options before anything else.
Like all medications, these come with plenty of side effects. What is important to remember is to always weigh the risk versus benefit. What are tolerable side effects to you? To put it plainly, if the medication is working for you, what are you willing to put up with in order to get that benefit? If your medication makes you feel hot and makes your skin look like a tomato for an hour (flushing), but you’ve been relapse free for a year, which is more important? Or you’ve tested positive for the JC virus, what level of risk is ok with you? Those are definitely tough questions to answer, but with a little honesty and getting real with yourself, it can be done.
Husband’s 2 Cents
The one oral medication she tried, Aubagio, didn’t work. Her hair fell out and she had a relapse while taking it, which included ‘not subtle’ lesions in her brain. It may be an awesome thing for some people, but unfortunately not for her. I personally never noticed any difference in her hair, but I know she did. It was frustrating to watch her be frustrated.
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I’M ALISSA!

I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

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This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!

20 5
Open
This is how I slowly helped myself the most: Making small changes to my life, * Intentional awareness to my morning * Noticing when I’m being mean to myself * Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight.. Some “small” ideas for you too: * don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go * drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too) * get up and move every hour * say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean * step outside for a few minutes a few times a day Small changes add up to big steps forward, don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”, they absolutely are. Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies? I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!

This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!! ...

20 5

You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.

26 4
Open
You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals. You just have to show up. You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡 *after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.

You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna. ...

26 4

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here:

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

13 0
Open
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year. It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title. Did you see?? Pre Orders are open! If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get: • Signed copy of Resilience Redefined • The MS Handbook E-book • Resilience Bookmark • LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders) Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/ Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here:

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!! ...

13 0

Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!

31 3
Open
Struggling to start with exercise? Try this tip!! Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were. Because we’re trying to do something different after all. This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process. Become who you want to be in your mind first. Does this help? What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!

Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!! ...

31 3

It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!

33 15
Open
It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS. This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey. It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better. ““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive” So… drumroll please… Pre orders are officially open!! If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get: • Signed copy of Resilience Redefined • The MS Handbook E-book • Resilience Bookmark • LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders) Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/ Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!

It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!! ...

33 15

If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!!

32 2
Open
If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass! This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!! You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park! Share with anyone who also might like this!!

If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!! ...

32 2

This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!

22 0
Open
This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments. But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too! This is rewiring your brain in action. You notice you’re doing something you always did, Then do something different. And boom! A new pathway is born. It needs some love and attention to grow, so keep practicing!

This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing! ...

22 0

This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!

38 2
Open
This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should. Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too? I see you. Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!

This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2! ...

38 2

We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!

16 1
Open
We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!! Come on in… Let me show you around! This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends! Wanna join us? Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!

We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!! ...

16 1

There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️

32 9
Open
There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you. Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment. But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments. Just a reminder. Keep going. ❤️

There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️ ...

32 9

Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶

Regulation is found in the micro moments.

Which of these have you done lately?

60 8
Open
Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶 Regulation is found in the micro moments. Which of these have you done lately?

Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶

Regulation is found in the micro moments.

Which of these have you done lately? ...

60 8

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