Choosing a DMT
I received my official diagnosis today for MS, and was sent home with 3 DMTs to decide from - Kesimpta, Tysabri or Mavenclad.
I was diagnosed following a bout of Optic Neuritis in February. Prior to that I was not consciously experiencing any neurological symptoms. though in retrospect I can definitely identify some symptoms which are likely MS related such as - electric shocks up my toe when walking, persistent phantom itching, occasional tenderness of my torso - as though it is totally bruised, tingling of my nose and sometimes legs.
It was only once I was treated for the ON and became aware of its links to MS that I started to identify other neurological symptoms I had been experiencing. Fortunately my symptoms are quite manageable as of right now.
My MRI showed a few lesions in my brain, and optic nerve of course. I am yet to have a spinal MRI done.
For the past while I have been wanting to join the paramedics and had planned on joining a course in September. The MS diagnosis obviously throws a spanner in the works, but as my current symptoms are mild, I am hopeful that with treatment and hopefully minimising progression I will be able to follow this path. I am however a little concerned about being on an immunosuppressant in a field like this.
I wonder if anyone here has experience dealing with MS in the paramedics, or just generally being in a role with a high exposure to people.
Is there a DMT out of the 3 I have been offered that would be optimal with my goals in mind?
I’d love to know people’s thoughts, or your own experiences on any of these DMTs.