Life is by default full of uncertainties. You can’t predict what is going to happen next. You can forsee for a little bit, but prolongue those thoughts and you wind up in full-blown anxiety mood. So most people take life as it comes and make what they can of what it’s been thrown at them. It’s all just a gamble.
When multiple sclerosis gets into the picture, things spice up a bit.
It ads a bit of adrenaline rush to everyday living. Its unpredictability and insidious relapses can get even the most positive person fearful, angry and feeling stuck. Some people loose control, feel depressed and fully dominated by their condition.
It ads a bit of adrenaline rush to everyday living. Its unpredictability and insidious relapses can get even the most positive person fearful, angry and feeling stuck. Some people loose control, feel depressed and fully dominated by their condition.
MS is the kind of illness that manifests differently to each and every person. It’s uncurable but manageable. Nowadays, there are 10 treatments available on the market. Thinking now that MSers have it all solved for themselves? Think again!
Although there are many disease modifying drugs or DMDs, their accesibility is limited by all sorts of factors, ranging from high costs to being aproved or not in a certain country and reaching to the waiting lists of Romania.
A Quick View Over the Romanian Case
There are 2 milion people who have MS in the whole world, and aproximately 10.000 of them are found in Romania. Of the almost 8000 that need treatment to stop the disease progression, there are about 2700 individuals actually receiving treatment on the National Programme. The others are told to wait for funds to be available in order to pay for their costs.
People are then faced with the biggest fear of them all: “Will I survive? Will I get through this? Will I finally get treatment?”. Add this to the first two unpredictabilities that I metioned before and you have the conditions for a full-blown crisis.
People get angry, depressed, more angry and go pick a fight with anyone who rises above them. They become judgemental and backlash at any other MSer who had the opportunity to get treatment. But they are only suffering and scared. You would be too.
My Treatment Story
I am one of the individuals that got into treatment fairly quick.
Diagnosed in July 2014, I took all the tests required for a proper diagnosis. It was confirmed that I had MS, and an EDSS score of 1.0, indicating that I have minimal damage done to my nervous systems, but the disease is there, active.
Then I was offered the opportunity of entering a clinical study for Rebif, one of the interferons used to treat MS. I never had a discussion about treatment options, which one is more appropriate to my condition, which side effects can I tolerate better and so on.
At my own risk, I was assertive and I turned down the treatment. I explained the decision to my doctor and asked if and when a new treatment oportunity will be available. I was told that for 2014 there are no more funds, but the Comission meets again in March 2015, and I can submitt my file on February to see if I get approved. And then I waited.
Christmas came and went. 2014 made way to 2015 and that February I went to submitt my file and sign the agreement for the if-to-be-approved treatment. My option was Copaxone. I discussed the whys and whens with my neurologist and we agreed that this was the best option for my situation. And then I waited some more.
At the beginning of March I received a call from the hospital asking me to come and prepare for treatment. My file was approved. The Comission analyzed my file and they found me suitable for treatment. The exact reasons for such a quick approval were not made clear. Only that I was eligible for treatment, given all the conditions of my illness.
And I went to the hospital to get my first dose of Copaxone. Happy (my mother will not have anguish and nightmares anymore) but anxious, I entered the room and was quickly introduced to the AutoJect, the treatment itself. I was told when and how I must administer it, how I needed to rotate the injection sites in order to take care of my skin, and lots more. The whole thing lasted about 20-25 minutes and ended with my first shot, then and there.
As I saw the nurse coming near me with the first dose, my anxiety went through the roof. I got a strange kind of fear. A menacing fear, one that threatened my whole existence. The thought of “why do I have to do this? I don’t wanna do it! why me?” came to mind. And then the needle came out. And the first sting began. “Lovely” moment. If you’ve ever been hit by a bee hive, you’ll understant this first sensation.
The alien substance met my immune system then and there. We’ve been “friends” now for… 127 injections. 127 times the needle went through and knocked my T-cells out. But in doing this it wacked me out to. Sometimes I get sleepyer than usual (add THAT to fatigue!), I get angry and agressive for no particular reason and I get welts and hard knots under my skin. I itch and feel drowsy. Sometimes I get energized after the shot. But all the time I am reminded of MS.
The Unpredictability Continues for All
Unpredictability is still there though. DMDs don’t cure MS. They only slow the progression and reduce the relapse rate. But without them the risk is way to big to take. The cost is the main problem. By doing a simple Google search, you find Copaxone as being the cheapest DMD in Romania, costing around 800 euros (3399 lei) versus Rebif, which is more expensive 1037 euros (4599 lei). And that’s just for one month. More people need to be able to have access to treatment.
There is an urgent need for funding and of proper management of DMD costs for patients with MS in Romania. It is unacceptable that people have to go through lists and waiting while their disease progresses. It’s scary. It’s like falling of a cliff with no one there to catch you. Bungee without the cord. Find your own metaphor. But the truth is this: the more time goes by for people who are not receiving treatment, the more indirect costs there will be with the care and rehabiitation that they will eventually need.
Call-to-action. Let’s help!
Given this situation, I challenge you to stand up for these people. I challenge you to volunteer in raising awareness and let the public opinion know what multiple sclerosis is and what needs to be done in order to keep the health of the people who want to live a normal life, to work, to love and to be happy. You all want the same things. Let’s help.
Feel free o ask us questions about multiple sclerosis, about ways you can help us raise awareness and funds and much more. First, aknowledge there is a problem. Then share. Then join us in the fight against the social unjustice being done to these people.
Thank you for reading this article! Use the buttons at the beginning of this article to share it so that we can spread the word. MS can be treated.
Sincerely,
Alexandra & the SMart Choice Team