Why I don't take MS meds- Aubagio Rant

So I'm not being medicated right now.  I went to a new doctor recently.  He gave me Baclofen for my muscle issues and referred me to a neuro.  The issue is I can't get the doctor's office to send my referral over to the neuro that he referred me to.  I have called three times since the date of my appointment which was October 9, 2015.  Since then I cannot get a referral and it's so aggravating.  I told the doctor that I needed a neuro and a shrink and because his office won't send the referral over to the neuro, i'm pretty much stuck.  I don't know how insurance out here works, but this is ridiculous. Plus I don't even know if this neuro works with MS patients.  I'm feeling lost in the system.....again.

I know I need a MRI.  My head is hurting as I type this.  So aggravating that I can't get the medical help I need, which is one of the other reasons I've been taking control of my MS. "Feel Me" when I say I am so tired of these medications with a billion side effects, anyway. I received an email with Madeline Stowe, who happens to be an actress I really like.  She is a spokeswoman for MS as well.  Well, I'm not sure how FOR MS she really is after I saw what she was presenting.  Her dad had MS so she's really trying to help, but she's pushing a new medication called AUBAGIO® This medicine has so many side effects.  The presentation goes on to say it's not just risky for women who plan to get pregnant, but also for men who have partners that plan to get pregnant, and damaging to the liver.  They even have a special registry for pregnant women.  WTF is this medicine?!

This is why I am speaking out.  I trusted Madeline, to an extent.  I never thought she'd suggest something harmful, but this medication is just that. Harmful. As if MS patients haven't had enough harm done already. This is why more celebrities and government need to support medical cannabis (marijuana) .  Marijuana does not kill, it heals.  And even this Baclofen I've been prescribed to take has side effects, though not as much as AUBAGIO®.  With Baclofen, Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, tiredness, headache, trouble sleeping, nausea, increased urination, or constipation may occur.  Right now the only alternative is Baclofen or severe body cramps. Or cannabis. 

I'm testing out different strains of cannabis.  So far "Wheelchair" is helping with pain and "Purple Bush" is working out okay.  There are some pain patches I'd like to try but finances for cannabis are very limited.  Broadway Smoke Shop is still donating a percentage of sales that are made on the days when Jesus and I can go there, and so that's really been helping with living expenses including my cannabis treatments. AUBAGIO® causes liver damage, and so do a lot of other MS designated medications. Risk of liver damage is what got me off all of the medications before.  I'm saddened to see an actress I like promote this treatment, but as of right now they have findings that it's helping.  

INDICATION

AUBAGIO^® (teriflunomide) is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

DO NOT TAKE AUBAGIO IF YOU:

• Have severe liver problems. AUBAGIO may cause serious liver problems, which can be life-threatening. Your risk may be higher if you take other medicines that affect your liver. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check your liver within 6 months before you start AUBAGIO and monthly for 6 months after starting AUBAGIO. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of these symptoms of liver problems: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, tiredness, yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes, or dark urine.
• Take a medicine called leflunomide for rheumatoid arthritis.
• Are pregnant. AUBAGIO may harm an unborn baby. You should have a pregnancy test before starting AUBAGIO. After stopping AUBAGIO, continue to use effective birth control until you have made sure your blood levels of AUBAGIO are lowered. If you become pregnant while taking AUBAGIO or within 2 years after stopping, tell your healthcare provider right away and enroll in the AUBAGIO Pregnancy Registry at 1-800-745-4447, option 2.
• Are of childbearing potential and not using effective birth control.

AUBAGIO may stay in your blood for up to 2 years after you stop taking it. Your healthcare provider can prescribe a medicine that can remove AUBAGIO from your blood quickly.

Before taking AUBAGIO, talk with your healthcare provider if you have: liver or kidney problems; a fever or infection, or if you are unable to fight infections; numbness or tingling in your hands or feet that is different from your MS symptoms; diabetes; serious skin problems when taking other medicines; breathing problems; or high blood pressure. Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell count and TB test before you start AUBAGIO. Talk with your healthcare provider if you take or are planning to take other medicines (especially medicines for treating cancer or controlling your immune system), vaccines, vitamins or herbal supplements.

AUBAGIO may cause serious side effects, including: reduced white blood cell count — this may cause you to have more infections; numbness or tingling in your hands or feet that is different from your MS symptoms; serious skin problems; breathing problems (new or worsening); and high blood pressure.

The most common side effects when taking AUBAGIO include: headache; diarrhea; nausea; upset stomach; hair thinning or loss; and abnormal liver test results. These are not all the side effects of AUBAGIO. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you.

Consult your healthcare provider if you have questions about your health or any medications you may be taking, including AUBAGIO.

You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please click here for full Prescribing Information, including boxed WARNING and Medication Guide.

The Pressing Seas

Depression is very common in people withmultiple sclerosis (MS). In fact, symptoms of depression severe enough to require medical intervention affect up to half of all people with MS at some point during their illness.

 Honestly I've been suffering from depression all of my life but it did intensify after I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2004 and here to recently in the last year or so.

Why Do People With Multiple Sclerosis Also Have Depression?

Depression may be the result of a difficult situation or stress. It is easy to understand how having MS, with its potential for progressing to permanent disability, can bring on depression.

Depression may be caused by MS. MS may destroy the insulating myelin that surrounds nerves that transmit signals affecting mood.

Depression is also a side effect of some drugs used to treat MS, such as steroids or interferon.

once I began to recognize sentence in my life everything seems to start collapsing right before my eyes. I think it affects my relationships and they suffer because at some point I just don't have the will to even deal with anyone or anything I get so sad I don't even want to go on....thankfully not about life it's just about the situations I'm in I know that they're depressing me I'm not at the harmony I know that man making my health fail and I don't even know if its worth it anymore. the main thing that the presses me lately is things concerning the children and the stressful Situation with my girlfriend's family and ex friends. 

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

Everyone at one time or another has felt depressed, sad, or blue. Sometimes the feeling of sadness becomes intense, lasting for long periods of time and preventing a person from leading a normal life. This is depression, a mental illness that, if left untreated, can worsen, lasting for years and causing untold suffering, and possibly even resulting in suicide. It is important to recognize the signs of depression, which include:

Sadness

Loss of energy

Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

Loss of enjoyment from things that were once pleasurable

Difficulty concentrating

Uncontrollable crying

Difficulty making decisions

Irritability

Increased need for sleep

Inability to fall or stay asleep at night (insomnia)

Unexplained aches and pains

Stomachache and digestive problems

Decreased sex drive

Sexual problems

Headache

A change in appetite causing weight loss or gain

Thoughts of death or suicide

Attempting suicide

When to Seek Help for Depression With Multiple Sclerosis

If you have depression along with multiple sclerosis, you should seek help if:

Depression is negatively affecting your life -- causing difficulties with relationships, work issues, or family disputes -- and there isn't a clear solution to these problems.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or feelings.

Where Should I Go to Get Help for Depression?

Once you decide to seek medical help, start with your primary doctor. He or she can evaluate you to make sure that medicines or another illness are not causing your symptoms.

Your doctor may prescribe treatment or refer you to a mental health care professional who can perform a thorough assessment so that an effective course of treatment can be recommended.

How Is Depression Treated With Multiple Sclerosis?

If you have multiple sclerosis, the first step in treating depression is recognizing that you are depressed. The second step is seeking help. These two steps may in fact be the hardest part of the entire treatment process. Once you seek help from a qualified health care provider, you will find that there are numerous treatment options to help you get back on track.

Several antidepressant drugs are available, but they must be used only under the supervision of a medical professional. Antidepressant drugs are most effective in treating depression in people with MS when used in conjunction with psychotherapy. Called "therapy" for short, the word psychotherapy actually involves a variety of treatment techniques. During psychotherapy, a person with depression talks to a licensed and trained mental health care professional who helps him or her identify and work through the factors that may be triggering the depression.

Warning Signs of Suicide

If you or someone you know is demonstrating any of the following warning signs, contact a mental health professional right away or go to the emergency room for immediate treatment.

Talking about suicide (killing one's self)

Always talking or thinking about death

Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless

Saying things like "It would be better if I weren't here" or "I want out"

Depression (deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating) that gets worse

A sudden switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy

Having a "death wish," tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death, like driving through red lights

Losing interest in things one used to care about

Visiting or calling people one cares about

Putting affairs in order, tying up lose ends, changing a will.

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