Roughly 100,000 Canadians are living with multiple sclerosis and many manage the disease with a strict medication regime.

Dorothyann Brown was diagnosed with the disease five years ago; she says it affects almost every aspect of her life.

“For me, it’s fatigue that wipes me out. The pain wipes me out,” says Brown. “I have mild cognitive impairment that makes it really hard for me to even do…I write and I find it very difficult do that.”

Brown tries to manager her illness as best she can through diet and exercise, but she also relies heavily on medications.

“I take things like Copaxone, which is a disease-modifying drug. I take anti-spasmodics to stop the spasms in my legs,” says Brown.

“I did have a licence for medical marijuana to stop the spasms, so there’s a bunch of things you can take to deal with your symptoms, but there really hasn’t been anything that stops the disease in its tracks.”

Now, a new drug recently approved by Health Canada is giving new hope to Maritimers living with multiple sclerosis.

Dena Simon, president of the Atlantic division of the MS Society of Canada, says what sets Lemtrada apart from other treatments is its unique dosing schedule.

Labels: Lemtrada