Hello all,
I’m new to the forum so I’ll begin by introducing myself. I’m 38 and was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS 2 years ago. Earlier this year I was also diagnosed with Breast Cancer and have been undergoing chemotherapy and have had a lumpectomy to remove the cancer. During this time since BC diagnosis I have had to stop my MS DMT until after chemotherapy which isn’t ideal. In addition immunotherapy wasn’t offered to me and I’m also having to take an immune boosting therapy to support the chemotherapy and reduce my likelihood of picking up an infection which could be life threatening.
As you can see there are a lot of aspects of cancer treatment which are less then ideal for managing my MS and I’m finding myself having to weigh up the pros and cons myself and decide which steps I should take for the better.
I wondered if anyone else has been in the same position as me? And if they have I’d welcome any guidance, tips or thoughts they have which might help me navigate the process and treatment.
@natasha.d.kaur I’ve had cancer to go along side my ms. Not breast cancer.. I had prostate cancer. I can’t comment on your DMD treatment because it’s not something I have or indeed have ever been offered. My ms was diagnosed before the vast majority of DMD’s were available. But I will say something. I have had chemotherapy too. The cancer has been cut out, last year. I’ll also say this. The cancer could kill you. The ms possibly not and you’ll probably die with it not because of it.. unless in the meantime they actually find a cure for ms. Personally I’d worry more about the cancer at the moment. And then when they have successfully treated your cancer, you’ll be able to concentrate on the best available DMD treatment for your ms. Wishing you well, not just for a successful outcome for your cancer, but also for your ms too.
I would definitely follow what @Freshairman says I.e deal with the potentially fatal cancer first and prioritise that above all. My wife is just completing chemotherapy- it’s not nice but definitely better than the alternative! She is about to complete her sixth round of chemo infusion every 3 weeks I.e a total of 18 weeks. Delaying MS treatment for 18-20 weeks is not going to result in anything alarming.
Good luck and all the best for a successful chemo treatment
Hi Natasha,
All strength to you. Some of my experience tallies. I was diagnosed with MS and during that diagnosis period during Covid an anomaly showed up which led to a diagnosis of cancer. I prioritised the cancer treatment because of the two, it had to take precedence. This was just at the point when Ocrevus came out and my cancer diagnosis meant it was no longer suitable for me. Any treatment for MS had to be approved by the oncologist. Bizarrely, some of the cancer treatments as a side effect may have a positive effect on elements of MS. My MS was monitored to see how stable it was and the oncologist saw the MRI scans for MS as well as the PET/CT scans for cancer In short, I have had to make sure everyone knows everything and that there can be no clash between any treatment. Very best of luck with it.
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