I stopped at 69 but I wasn't diagnosed until I was 64. My doctor said I could stop if I wanted, I did want to stop.
August 27
I’ve stopped DMTs a few years ago @A MyMSTeam Member and so far I have remained stable 🤗💜
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A MyMSTea...
August 27
@A MyMSTeam Member, I stopped on the recommendation of neurologist. 💜
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A MyMSTea...
August 27
Did you stop at your neurologist recommendation or did you make the decision?
August 27
That frustration is completely understandable — it can feel discouraging when you're putting in the effort of a treatment routine without seeing obvious results. Yes, many people over 60 do consider stopping DMTs, and it's actually a topic that comes up often in the MS community.
The good news is there are actual Show Full Answer
That frustration is completely understandable — it can feel discouraging when you're putting in the effort of a treatment routine without seeing obvious results. Yes, many people over 60 do consider stopping DMTs, and it's actually a topic that comes up often in the MS community.
The good news is there are actual guidelines around this. The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers suggests that people over 60 with relapsing MS who have had a prolonged inactive period — meaning no relapses and no new lesions on MRI — may consider discontinuing DMTs. There are several factors worth discussing with your neurologist before making any changes:
- Your age — Research suggests older adults may be less likely to experience relapses after stopping
- MS stability — If your MS has been stable for 4+ years, the risk of relapse after stopping may be lower
- Your MS type — People with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) tend to have better outcomes after stopping than those with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
- Side effects — If side effects outweigh benefits, that's a valid reason to reassess
- MRI results — Reviewing recent scans helps paint a clearer picture of disease activity
One important caution: even at an older age, a single relapse can significantly increase the risk of worsened disability, since the ability to recover from relapses declines with age. So this decision really needs to be made carefully with your neurologist. The bottom line — never stop a DMT without talking to your neurologist first. But this is absolutely a conversation worth having, and you have every right to advocate for a treatment plan that makes sense for your situation. You're not alone in asking these questions!
August 27
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