Other Treatment

The unpredictability and variety of symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) make it a disease that people have tried to treat in many different ways.

Experimental medical treatments

Experimental treatments for MS involve reducing the activity of the immune system with immunosuppressants or through methods such as total lymphoid irradiation, in which the entire lymph node system is exposed to radiation. While these have been used successfully in the treatment of certain other medical conditions, they have failed to produce significant benefits when tested in controlled clinical trials. They remain experimental treatments for MS, although they may be considered for people who do not respond to any other therapy.

Stem cell transplant—which uses immature cells from the bone marrow—has been tried in small studies, but there is no evidence that the risks of the procedure outweigh the possible benefits.¹¹ It is not currently recommended for treating MS.

Complementary therapies

Other types of treatment for MS are provided by therapists or others who do not operate within mainstream medical practice. Their alternative medical approaches attract many people with MS, particularly those who have not had much success with conventional treatments. Many people with MS use complementary or alternative therapies in addition to more standard therapy.

None of these complementary therapies have been shown through clinical research to be effective in treating MS and are not recommended by most doctors. But sometimes people with MS find that even though complementary therapies do not slow the progression of the disease, the therapies help them feel better. Talk to your doctor if you are interested in trying any of the complementary therapies.

Other Treatment Choices

Many complementary therapies have been proposed as treatments for MS. None of these treatments have been shown to modify the course of the disease. Some of those most commonly used are:

• Acupuncture.
• Biofeedback.
• Diets and vitamin, mineral, herbal, or dietary supplements.
• Massage therapy (often used by physical therapists).
• Yoga.

Although clinical research has not shown any of these complementary therapies to be effective, a person with MS may benefit from safe nontraditional therapies that complement conventional medical treatment. Some complementary therapies may help relieve stress, muscle tension, and improve your overall well-being and quality of life.

Clinical research also has been unable to show that treatments such as bee venom therapy, Prokarin (a caffeine and histamine combination), removal of mercury fillings (dental amalgams), and hyperbaric oxygen therapy have any benefits for people with MS. Some of these therapies may be harmful as well as expensive and are not recommended by most experts.

What To Think About

There is no cure for MS. So far, the only treatments proven to affect the course of the disease are interferon beta (Avonex, Betaseron, and Rebif), glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), mitoxantrone (Novantrone), and natalizumab (Tysabri). Other types of treatment should not replace these medications if you are a candidate for treatment with them.

No complementary therapies have been proven effective in the treatment of MS, but some people have reported that complementary therapies have worked for them. This may be in part due to the placebo effect, which is common in people who are being treated for MS. This also may be due to the fact that some complementary therapies, while not treating the disease itself, may affect a person's overall sense of well-being and help the person feel better and healthier. And, in some cases, symptoms may improve on their own.

If you have MS and are thinking about trying a complementary treatment, get the facts first. Consider these questions with your doctor:

• Is it safe? Talk with your doctor about the safety and potential side effects of the treatment. This is especially important if you are on drug therapy for MS, because some complementary treatments in combination with drug therapy can be quite dangerous. A treatment that could be harmful to you and may or may not improve your symptoms is not worth the risk.
• Does it work? Because MS symptoms can come and go, you may find it difficult to judge whether a particular treatment is really working. Keep in mind that if you get better after using a certain treatment, the treatment is not always the reason for the improvement. MS may often improve on its own (spontaneous remission).
• How much does it cost? An expensive, unproven treatment that may or may not help you may not be worth its cost. Beware of therapy providers or products that require a large financial investment at the beginning of a series of treatments.
• Will it improve my general health? Even if they are not effective in treating MS, some complementary practices (such as acupuncture, massage, or yoga) may be safe and may lead to healthy habits that improve your overall well-being. These might be worth trying.

With a hard-to-treat disease like MS, it can be tempting to jump at the promise of an effective treatment. Be cautious about trying unproven treatments.