Types of RRMS treatments decoded
With so many types of RRMS treatments out there, it's hard to know which one is best for you
Around 85% of people with multiple sclerosis are diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). Often, people living with RRMS experience patterns of new, or worsening of old, symptoms, often lasting more than 24 hours1.
There is no cure for RRMS, but there are a number of different types of treatments available2. The main ones are disease modifying therapies (DMTs) and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Disease modifying therapies (DMTs):
There are many different DMTs approved for treating RRMS. They can help to:
- manage the frequency and severity of relapses
- treat symptoms
- reduce the development of new lesions
- slow down the accumulation of disability
- benefit the overall health and wellbeing of someone living with RRMS3.
They come in a variety of forms, including: oral, injectable, or intravenous3. Oral DMTs come in the form of tablets, which are taken by swallowing 4.
Injectable DMTs are given through a needle directly into the blood stream. Some treatments may have to be administered by your MS medical team. However, this is not always the case and can sometimes be given by a friend, family member, carer or yourself4.
Intravenous DMTs are infusions given via a drip into the veins. These will be administered by a member of your MS medical team. The frequency and length of time it takes will vary depending on the DMT given4.
The way that DMTs work is by changing how your immune system behaves. They make it less likely to attack the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. This means future damage and inflammation to the nerves is limited, but it can’t repair damage that has already been done4.
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
HSCT is an intense chemotherapy treatment for people with RRMS. It aims to stop the damage MS causes by wiping out and then regrowing your immune system, using your stem cells5. HSCT uses chemotherapy to remove the harmful cells and helps to rebuild the immune system using stem cells found in your bone marrow.
In order to qualify for HSCT treatment, there are many criteria you must fulfil6. If you want to find out more about the HSCT speak to a member of your MS medical team to find out your options.
Before undergoing any treatment, or changes to your treatment, discuss your symptoms and relapses with your MS team. In order to better prepare for these conversations, track your symptoms and any changes and research the options available.
References:
1. MS Trust. Relapsing remitting MS. Available at: https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/relapsing-remitting-ms-0. Accessed October 2020.
2. Health line. Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS): What You Need to Know. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/relapsing-remitting-ms/relapsing-remitting-multiple-sclerosis-rrms-what-you-need-to-know Accessed October 2020.
3. National MS Society. Disease-modifying therapies for MS. Available at: https://stage.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Brochures/Brochure-The-MS-Disease-Modifying-Medications.pdf Accessed October 2020
4. MS Society. Disease-modifying therapies for MS. Available at: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-10/DiseaseModifyingTherapiesDMTs%20-%20MSS.pdf Accessed October 2020
5. MS Society. HSCT. Available at: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/treatments-and-therapies/disease-modifying-therapies/hsct Accessed October 2020
6. MS Society. HSCT: what to expect. Available at: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/treatments-and-therapies/disease-modifying-therapies/hsct/hsct--what-to-expect Accessed October 2020