Stopping medication (Gilenya) when in remission?
Hi. I searched for any answers or opinions to this question but couldn't seem to find any. So, I apologize in advance if this has been discussed already.
I was diagnosed in 2011 with MS. Since then, I've had 2 relapses but when switched to Gilenya, have had none since. At my last dr. Appt., my Dr. mentioned possibly stopping my medication because it looked like I was in remission for quite a while. I wish I would have asked, but isn't that usually what MS does? Goes into remission, only to possibly flare up again? I just don't understand taking the risk of stopping the meds unless I'm ignorant of the possible side effects of Gilenya. If anyone has any advice or experience, or just an opinion, I'd appreciate it! Thanks!
Jennyelaine87, I have to admit this stymied me a bit, but then I thought, isn't this like stopping your antidepressant when you aren't depressed any more? if it were me, i would want to stay on a medication that was being so effective! if you haven't had any exacerbations since you started on Gilenya (and congratulations, by the way) why on earth would you stop taking a medication that was working so well? I need to assure you that here at HealthUnion, none of us are medically trained, and do not give out definititive medical advice, but this one doesn't seem so much medical as logical. If A is working, if you stop taking A, won't you go back to having the problem you're taking A for? Your doctor may have their reasons, but next time you see them, ask them why they want you to stop taking a prescription that is working, and seems to be doing exactly what you take it for.
All the best, and please check back in wafter you've spoken to your doctor and straightened out this conundrum,
Therry, a Team Member
, I agree with what Therry shared! I would definitely put a call into your physician and ask him/her more about the reasoning behind stopping your medication. It also depends on what form of MS you are dealing with. A remission of symptoms doesn't necessarily mean a remission of demyelination, if that makes sense.
I do hope you get some more feedback from other community members, because your question is a good one and I would be interested to see what others have to say.
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
