Multiple Sclerosis Quackery

A couple of years ago I heard from someone I hadn’t seen in a long time. She had heard about my wife’s MS and had something for me. I don’t remember exactly what it was she was selling, but she assured me it cured MS. And that it was good for a lot of other things. I thanked her for her concern.

There is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis. There’s no magic mixture, no concoction, no gadget, no lotion, no bee sting, no poison, no gas, no deer antler velvet, no chemical, no diet and no organ removal that will cure MS. In fact, MS patients have been killed while participating in false cures.

Be wary of MS “cures”. Every few years, the International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Societies’ Therapeutic Claims Committee analyzes more than 100 alleged “cures” and publishes the results in “Therapeutic Claims in Multiple Sclerosis”. No cure is known.

What are available are medications which modify the disease process, treat exacerbations and manage MS symptoms. Provided under the care of a neurologist or a physician who specializes in the treatment of MS and used in combination, these medications can enhance the quality of an MS patient’s life.

What do you do if a friend tells you of a new “cure” or you read about a weird-science treatment and are tempted to try it? First, avoid getting excited. You’ll be disappointed. Second, talk to your doctor about what you’ve heard or read. Third, visit Quackwatch and read Be Wary of Multiple Sclerosis ‘Cures’.

Caregiver Tip: Quackery kills. The desire for a cure can lead one to false hopes. Avoid Multiple Sclerosis Quackery and follow the treatment regimen prescribed by a neurologist or physician who specializes in MS.

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