Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis. Is This Due To Sleeping Aids And Medication Abuse?

Posted on Mon, 1 Apr 2013

Question: My question is this: I have a very clear diagnosis of MS, however my husband (who is not supportive AT ALL) believes that my past abuse of prescription sleep aids has brought this upon myself. He believes I have been misdiagnosed and that the past medication abuse is what has caused the lesions in my brain and spine, and all of my associated problems. Could this be possible? I am looking for serious answers, not just to prove him incorrect, but also to alleviate my own guilt. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 hours later)

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

It is unfortunate that your husband is not supportive of you, in dealing and coping with MS.

I woukd like to clarify that prescription sleep aids and medication abuse are not responsible for causing MS in you, and they do not cause MS-like lesions in brain and spine.

This information is based on the evidence from literature as well as my own experience of treating MS patients over the past 18 years.

MS is an auto immune disease, more common in young women such as you. Stress may trigger relapses of MS.

Treatment with interferons and other immunomodulating drugs would help in reducing the lesion burden, as well as the disability.

I hope it helps. I would be pleased to answer any more queries, if you have.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (12 hours later)

Thank you very much for your reply. I was first treated with Betaseron, which seemed to be working well, until a very serious lesion, causing stroke-like symptoms (very slurred speech, weak left side, could not type or read). I was out of work for 5 months as a result, and my doctor said I must have had MS longer than we thought. He switched me to Tysabri, and because I felt it wasn't really doing anything for me, I asked for another MRI. My neurologist obliged, and the results (2 weeks ago) showed new enhancing lesions (which explained why I felt something was "off"). He said he only ever had one other patient get more enhancing lesions while on Tysabri, and in his words, "she was wound even more tightly than you are". My doctor knows I'm under a lot of stress, because of work issues and obviously the home issues, and wants me to take more time off of work, but I don't feel ready for that.

I feel I have no real recourse or resources to try and prove to my husband that drug abuse could not have caused my MS symptoms/diagnosis, or even something that mimics it. I've studied neuropsychology, that was what I wanted to do with my life (research) before my college career got derailed by disability. Now I find myself on the other side of the research table, as my doctor is enrolling me in a clinical trial/study at XXXXXXX

Do you have any peer-reviewed articles or other "evidence" that I can show to my husband, in the hopes that instead of constantly blaming -me- for the illness, he might be able to see the light? He has never been to an appointment, never listened to my reports of doctor visits, basically never been supportive, it's only now (within the last few weeks) that I found out why - he never forgave me for the past drug abuse.

My personal email address is YYYY@YYYY , I would VERY much appreciate any further insight you can give me, and I am very grateful for your help so far.
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (46 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX

Thank you for getting back with more details and information.

Both betaseron and tysabri are very good drugs for treating multiple sclerosis. It is unfortunate that you have not shown adequate response to them. I do hope that you would improve with trial medications.

It is good to know about your career plans and I hope one day you would be able to achieve some of what you had dreamt.

I have noted your email ID, and I promise to send you any articles that would help you prove to your husband regarding lack of connection between past drug use and multiple sclerosis.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (10 minutes later)

Thank you so much, Doctor. You have been invaluable to me.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (8 minutes later)

Thank you and best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar