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I feel silly, what is a DMT, what does it do, what does DMT mean? Fairly new to this,kind of in a dark funk

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Santa Rosa, CA
February 4
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MyMSTeam

You don't need to feel silly at all — it's completely normal to have questions when you're new to MS! DMT stands for "disease-modifying therapy" (or disease-modifying treatment). These are medications specifically designed to slow down MS and help manage the condition.

DMTs work by targeting your immune system to reduce Show Full Answer

You don't need to feel silly at all — it's completely normal to have questions when you're new to MS! DMT stands for "disease-modifying therapy" (or disease-modifying treatment). These are medications specifically designed to slow down MS and help manage the condition.

DMTs work by targeting your immune system to reduce its attacks on your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin coating that protects your nerve fibers. DMTs help prevent this damage from happening.

Here's what DMTs do:
* Reduce the number and severity of relapses
* Slow disease progression
* Help prevent new lesions from forming in your brain and spinal cord
* Protect you from having more problems down the road

It's important to understand that DMTs work differently than medications for other conditions. They're about preventing new damage rather than making you feel immediately better. As one neurologist explained, if you start a DMT and feel the same, that's actually good — it means nothing new has happened.

Being in a dark funk is understandable when you're newly diagnosed. Learning about MS and treatment options takes time, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed. You're taking the right step by asking questions and learning about your options.

February 4
A MyMSTeam Member

DMT Disease Modifying Treatment , The medicine to hopefully prevent more "attacks / flares" . Im on ocrevus (google will answer that one) , Get on a treatment asap , damage is cumulative , every bit you prevent matters

February 4
A MyMSTeam Member

Eran .. The meds are NOTHING like Chemo , not even in the same class , please don't sow mis-information , especially to newbies ,

February 5
A MyMSTeam Member

@A MyMSTeam Member In the beginning I had no clue about medication or much about MS , but it is important to do your research. As others here mentioned first get an MS specialist if there is one in your area. They will recommend getting on a DMT. These medications do not take away the symptoms you already have but will hopefully slow the progression of the disease and help to reduce relapses. There are some that are injections, pills and IV infusions. Please look into this , because most doctors let you choose what you feel comfortable with and what is best for your level of MS. It is easy to get into a funk. This is all very overwhelming and scary at first , but you have to stay positive. You will be ok! 💕 Best of luck

February 5 (edited)
A MyMSTeam Member

It is the medicine that is supposed to slow down MS Denise.

February 4

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