Maybe we were seeing the same neurologist! All joking aside, I made that same decision for myself nearly 7 years ago much against my parents wishes (my mom and brother also have MS).

The doctor who diagnosed me was very insistent that I stay on Copaxone and not switch to anything else. I hated giving myself shots and refused to use the autoinjector. I'm pretty thankful my MS has stayed very very stable and has progressed at all in 9 years (I'm 27). My 2nd neurologist was extremely rude and wanted me to get on copaxone right away. I took one shot and never took another and that was 3 years ago. My new neurologist listened to every complaint and everything I had to say and told me I no longer have to be on any medication, which is great since I haven't been on any in so long anyways!

We all know MS is unpredictable and we never know what the future holds for any of us and medication may make it easier to deal with but may not. Who knows! I say if you feel great off of medication and you find a new doctor who also agrees, that's wonderful. You have to stand up for yourself and advocate for what you feel is right. We may not know as much as our doctors but they still should listen to how we feel and take that into consideration.

After being diagnosed a few years ago, I wasn't responding well to my medication (Avonex) and so my neurologist took me off it and prescribed Tysabri. I was afraid and wasn't having noticeable MS symptoms so I followed a strict diet and took supplements. I went on a family trip abroad and I was still feeling okay not taking medication 7-8 months later, but it was my MRI that convinced me to finally go on Tysabri. My MRI was showing several new and/or enhanced lesions. I got to see what that looked like, and that is what convinced me.

Now, I've been on Tysabri for 4 years, and every year since I have gotten back MRI results showing no change in my lesions (a very good thing). It would be nice to never have to take medication and never have to go to the doctor, but that is not my reality now. It is important to find a neurologist you can trust. In the beginning, I tended to think it was all a big pharma conspiracy. Nevertheless, my body didn't care and would have kept on munching on myelin in my brain and spinal cord all the same. Now, I still eat the healthy food and take supplements (not as frequently), but knowing that my medication is working gives me some peace of mind. I don't ever want to get double vision and extreme dizziness again, or have numbness in my legs. MS is a much different disease than it used to be mainly because of the medications.

The first neurologist who told me that nutrition doesn't have any factor in my symptoms of numbness really turned me off. My numbness went away, and I didn't go back to him ever. I wasn't diagnosed until a year later when I was in a car accident and had double vision. Because that senior neurologist rubbed me the wrong way, my MS went untreated. I also refused to see the rehabilitation counselor because he offended me after only one appointment. The guy was a jerk, so I didn't want to go back. This year, my neurologist referred me to a different counselor who has been wonderful. Now, I am finding out that there is a lot more out there in the way of services that I didn't know about. I am getting help with shaping my life and career in ways that I wouldn't have been able to do easily for myself. It's nice getting perspective from someone who has worked with many people going through similar situations.

Good luck to you whatever you decide!

Good for you, keep up the good work! I am also on a very strict diet. I've done hours upon hours of research and eating properly is really important for people with ms

I'm reading all the posts about herbs, proper diet, etc, etc. I was dx in1991. There were no DMTs. Copaxone is the third DMT my MD put me on and that was 10yrs ago.
I'm still ambulatory and have no doubt my copaxone is responsible..

Herbs and diet DO NOT slow the progression of this disease. The DMTs do.

I have before but just for a couple of months don't really know what type of ms l have two Docotors have different opinions on what type l have it's all confusing but l am thinking l will stay try going off meds 🤔🤔🤔