Hi guys, how do you get started on DMTs?

Symptoms and treatments
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Hi all

This might sound dumb, so please bear with me.

What’s the process of getting started on DMTs? Do you have to book an appointment with an MS Nurse Team? Is it your neurologist? Etc.

  • are they like a vitamin D supplement?

  • do you have to take them everyday?

For context I’ll ctrl c + v my previous post:

“ Backstory
I caught a throat infection in Oct 24, where I was hospitalised for 2 nights to reduce swelling under my vocal cords. I couldn’t eat, drink or even swallow my own saliva (spitting in a cup, sorry TMI).

Whilst recovery after being discharged, I got out of bed one day too quickly and instantly felt a wave of intense dizziness, disorientation, light-headed as if I were going to pass out, off-balance and just a constant feeling of pressure in my head. Long story short it’s April 2025 and I still experience this, some days better than others. My life has been flipped upside down, simple things like, walking, taking a shower, preparing food is exhausting. My body is working extra hard just to do the bare minimum.

Since Nov 2024 it’s been back and forth with GP, MS Nurse team to beg them for an MRI to see me, check me etc. I had an MRI in Feb 2025 that shows a new lesion on the lower part of my brain. And I can’t see a neuro till Sept 2025!!(granted not their fault regarding NHS system)

Had to pay private neurologist and she suspects I’ve had a clinical and physical relapse and to speak to them about starting DMTs.

However, I dread calling my MS Team though. I feel a sense of dread. They seem so unhelpful. You know when you hate going into work is how I hate having to call my MS team. I thought nurses were caring, but I get 0 sympathy and “we can’t do xyz, speak to your GP”. I don’t actually feel like they’re there for me.”

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It’s a perfectly good question. Getting started on a DMD or upgrading from one that isn’t strong enough is always done through the hospital specialist neurologist or his/her team. GPs don’t typically get involved.

The main part of this MS Soc site is a fair place to start to familiarise yourself with what’s available. There are many variations in terms of MS efficacy and side effect risk and delivery method. Much depends on how your MS is behaving and what the neurologist thinks will suit.

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Thanks Alison, much appreciated

1 Like
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About starting DMTs, from my experience, it usually starts with the neurologist. They’re the ones who explain your options and recommend what might work best for you. Sometimes they’ll loop in the MS nurse team to help with the day-to-day stuff after that. And no, they’re not like vitamins - they’re meds to help slow down relapses and the disease.