SPMS Part Two: Treating Secondary Progressive MS

SPMS Part Two: Treating Secondary Progressive MS. This video is the 2nd in a two part masters class SPMS. If you're ready to learn how we TREAT SPMS, then start watching this vid right now! (And ensure you've already watched part one, link below).

The Boster Center for Multiple Sclerosis accepts all major insurance carriers and accepts consults from around the globe, both in office and via telemedicine. www.BosterMS.com or call 614-304-3444 to schedule!
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COMMENT with your thoughts and questions below! I look forward to reading and responding!

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VISIT us on web: BosterMS.com

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NOTE: Make sure to talk to your provider before ANY treatment decision. We hope to educate, empower and energize those impacted by Multiple Sclerosis. This channel consists of a collection of formal lectures and informal video clips about MS to help education others. These videos do not provide medical advice and are for informational/educational purposes only. The videos are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in any of our videos. They are just to help educate you about the condition guys!

[barbaradonofrio]

Thanks for this video. Hopefully, Pete will watch it and his concerns about my progression will be relieved, I am almost angry about my🎉 previous neurologist not recognizing the need for a DMT! I would not want to D/C my DMT because of the possibility of worsening progression. I will deal with the side effect of a running ̈ nose to hopefully prevent/limit any rapid progression! HOWEVER, I MIGHT BUY stock in Kimberly Clark!

[cherylvl]

I absolutely love your comment “non ambulatory patients are still patients, they’re still humans and they deserve treatment”. This is the best thing I’ve ever heard with regards to Progressive MS. Thank you, thank you, thank you❤️❤️!

[mimgreene]

Thank you so much for explaining so clearly. I was recently diagnosed with SPMS and am very scared. I had been misdiagnosed for years despite asking my doctor could i have MS (she said I was too old, I was 42). I have no family and am struggling to get my head around it. I had been using a cane for years before diagnosis. I reckon i have it at least 6 years. I am finding it hard to get information on it, and am being told 'don't google it' ! Information is power, but that long pause after you tell a doctor what you have is terrifying. I even had a neurologist from my epilepsy appointment uninvitedly tell me 'you know there's no treatment for what you have'. These beliefs are unhelpful, untrue and dangerous. Despite having SPMS untreated for years, on beginning Rituximab my lesions have slightly shrunk and no new ones have appeared. Than you for being clear, hopeful and caring. The world needs more doctors like you .

[michaelbarnes]

Oh nice! Thanks so much for discussing SPMS, as you did. It's so very scary and lonely out here. Generally, we don't seem to get the attention we once did early in our disease. There can be a sense of failure involved. And in so many ways, we just sort of disappear.
With kindness.

[jmar]

Therapy has helped me immensely.
When I was released from the hospital after my TM Episode, my left leg was for all intents and purposes 'dead'.
I needed a cane to get around. I bought a Star Wars cane, because I figured I was stuck with this, so I might as well have fun with it.
Two months into PT, I damn near don't need the cane anymore. That's before my planned DMT in the new future.
Once again, awesome video Doc! You keep me going, Man!

[laurietumer]

Actually this just came up. My neurologist last month said I could stop Copaxone because of my age (69) and because I now am in the SPMS phase. I got a second opinion and he and the neuro conferred and said it was up to me and they would support whatever I chose. I had an intuition that this might be a bad idea to stop, and your 2 videos have helped me make my discussion to remain on Copaxone. I've been on it or about 15 years with a break in there of about 4 years off -- I told my pc dr. who wanted back on it during not taking it that if I did mri's and there was new activity (no symptoms) I would go back on and there was new activity so I did go back on about 4-5 years ago. I'm glad I'm on it -- I just have to work on quality of life issues now and I appreciate your videos a lot . Thank you for making them. FYI I've had ms since I was 28 when there were no mri's and it initially diagnosed as transverse myselitis or ms. So had RRMS for many decades with flares but was not treated until 15 years ago when a flare happened -- went to several neuros and they said ms -- and that's when I went on Copaxone.

[silvanahansen]

I wish I had been offered medication. I'm in the UK and way back 20 years ago when I was RRMS I was told that there were no drugs to help. Now I am SPMS same answer. Wish I knew then what I know now but I trusted the NHS to look after me. I have not given up. I have complained to my hospital. Demanded and getting my first MRI. Will be seeing the Neurologist I haven't seen in 15 years. But will I be brave enough to demand an explanation/medication? I will get back to you on that one as I'm a bit of a wimp!

[andreawheatley]

You hit almost every single nail on the head. What a great Doctor you are. If only we all could be so lucky. Thank you for making these videos for us. God Bless you.

[lisaonthelakeshore]

Hey Dr. Boster! Love your videos. I'm playing catch-up on your content, so I'm late to the game in answering the question you asked on this one. I do NOT agree with stopping therapy and I have a very personal reason. I'll be 47 next month, have had MS since I was 16 (many years and much cognitive damage between my first optic neuritis in 1988 and final diagnosis in 2004) and was told by my neuro I had progressed to SPMS 'officially' back in 2015. I was immediately taken off of my DMT and given no choice in the matter, being told no therapies were effective for SPMS. I also stopped receiving MRIs and basically dropped off the radar. I felt like persona non grata, that's for sure!
In January 2019 I had my first MRI in FIVE years, at my insistence, since it had been so long and I was having some worsening symptoms. The MRI was done with no contrast, but even still, my neuro called me just two days later (which never happens) to inform me I had at least six new lesions and he felt I should go back on a DMT asap. I was thrown into a state of confusion, having been told by him perviously that no DMTs worked for SPMS?!? However, I was happy to feel like I could suddenly take charge of my own disease course again! He changed my disease type back to relapsing MS, even though I don't think that's where I'm truly at, but honestly I don't really care what it's called, it is what it is. I had my first two half doses of Ocrevus in the latter part of May and am hopeful I can return to a state of disease stability. I work on all other areas you encourage - I've never smoked, I exercise daily, I eat well and now the DMT situation is back on track, so I'm doing everything I can to keep the brain damage at bay.
Thanks for all of the hard work you do on your own time to encourage so many of us who really do feel like we're out here struggling on our own in the wilderness for the most part. What a difference it makes knowing we have someone fighting to empower us with knowledge!

[Mkaismile]

Definitely one of my FAVORITE informational Vlogs yet (Borth Part 1 and 2) are “MUST SEEs”

Thanks!

[tarakerr]

Dr B thank you for all that you do for this Global Village! You are a truly caring individual! Your videos have been my lifeline in coping with my disease. I had a long period waiting for my clinic appointment and your videos have gotten me though. We all appreciate your time with us! You are making a real difference in the lives of all of us.

[kellybaglow]

I had a neurologist appointment 3 days ago, my Neurologist said it’s looking likely that I have SPMS. He’s arranging an MRI to see what’s going on. I’ve been on Ocrevus for the last 21 months, before that I was on Tysabri but I was building (?) antibodies against it. My fatigue and cog fog is just awful and my walking is getting worse. I hope to get some answers soon. But definitely don’t want to stop treatment as I’m only 47. I think I’ve had MS since I was 14 as I had experienced intermittent vision loss when I was running… I didn’t get diagnosed until 2021, when the right side of my body went numb. I have permanent nerve damage in my right forearm and hand. I’m still struggling to figure out what’s normal and what’s not. Your videos have been my lifeline, so thank you Dr Boster.

[lw]

Well, now that I know everything you have taught me, no way would I stop my DMT! Seriously, I would be completely lost dealing with MS without you. I have learned so much, and now know how to be proactive at my clinic visits and take charge of my care. I have felt for a while more of a slow progression than problems with relapses, but have been scared to mention it at visits because of my fear of progression. I am 4 for 4 though and I am counting the days till I get my Ocrevus infusion next month!

[imcindee]

Thank you so much for these clear and informative videos on SPMS. I think I have learned more from these than I have from years visiting my MS neurologist. You have given me new hope, Dr. Boster. Thank you again.

[RonaldBeirouti]

Great videos! Obviously, stopping my DMT if I haven't had an attack for several years is like removing air traffic control at an airport because there hasn't been any plane accidents at that airport in the last few years. A disaster waiting to happen.

[WMACPT]

I’ve been asked this, and replied “no way!” Then I found you’re channel, and you confirmed my retort! Thank you Dr Boster!

[philburr]

I like the way you explain the leaking pool, I show this to my family and it helped answer a lot of questions we all have had ❤️

[gabbyfranks]

Spread your words. Wont name drop but she said she beat MS & now selling on it. Dr. Boster thank you for having OUR backs.

[lenasamanthagraham]

With MS i found out, i have better days, once i understood that i have to find a "new normal" But the prosess of accepting that MS will set some limitations and alter your plans, is hard and takes some time 😊 i Will never give up medicines or trying my best every day. I love my life, despite of this awful desease. Thank you to all neurologists who is working everyday to make our life better, without you we would not have much❤❤

[bonnieraejean]

No, that could be the very reason I am doing so well.