The challenges of choosing a DMD as a new mother


1 June 2021

Becoming a parent for the first time is often considered one of life’s biggest and most joyful moments. However, this time can also raise new challenges as discussed by Jenna who talks about her MS diagnosis, pregnancy and the challenge of choosing a new disease modifying drug after giving birth to her son.

My name is Jenna.  I am 29, from Glasgow and work as a Tax Advisor. I was diagnosed with MS on 11 December 2017, about two years after I experienced my first symptoms. I had labyrinthitis and then optic neuritis in my right eye in May and July 2015. After talking to a consultant at the time, as I didn’t have any other issues, it was suggested that a viral infection was the likely cause. We discussed MS and I was offered an MRI but happy with the viral infection explanation, I declined. Then, in August 2017, I began to have stroke-like symptoms down the left side of my body so my GP referred me for an MRI scan. The MRI showed lesions and I went for a lumbar puncture.

After the diagnosis I didn’t feel sad, or angry, or nervous. I didn’t feel anything.

After being referred for a lumbar puncture I was quite sure it was MS before the news was delivered. I had prepared myself for the diagnosis. I had done some research on the condition after having optic neuritis and the subsequent stroke-like symptoms. After the diagnosis I didn’t feel sad, or angry, or nervous. I didn’t feel anything.  

The next step was to speak to the MS nurse about treatment options and decide which DMD to start. There were a lot of things to consider: I wanted the least invasive treatment as possible; I was newly engaged and would be considering starting a family. I also had to think about which strength of treatment I should pick. In the end I chose Plegridy and started this in February 2018. My only side effect was injection site reactions.  

My usual MS symptoms were tingling in my hands 24/7, temperature sensitivity, “word finding” and occasionally my arms and legs would feel heavy but I didn’t want my MS to limit anything. I wanted to continue with life as normal as possible. I powered on with life after this, like I always do after bad news. I trained for and ran a half marathon in September 2018, meeting my target of finishing in under two hours 30 minutes and raising money for MS in the process. I got married in April 2019 and in August 2020 I gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

Again, there’s so much to consider: I’m breastfeeding and if I want to continue that limits my option to Tysabri, if I’m contemplating having more children that limits my options to Tysabri or Mavenclad.

I knew that after pregnancy there is more chance of having a relapse. Unfortunately, I had one in November/December 2020. I had numbness down my left side and optic neuritis in my left eye.  My MRI from November showed new lesions. I was advised to try a stronger DMD and out of five options I narrowed those down to Ocrevus or Mavenclad. I feel like I’m back to square one choosing a new DMD as I expected to be on Plegridy for more than three years. Again, there’s so much to consider: I’m breastfeeding and if I want to continue that limits my option to Tysabri, if I’m contemplating having more children that limits my options to Tysabri or Mavenclad. For me Tysabri would be too invasive and after a lot of consideration, I’ve decided to stop breastfeeding and start taking Mavenclad. For the first time in my life I’m angry I have MS. I’m angry that my MS means I have to stop breastfeeding. I’m angry that for the first time in my life MS is preventing me from doing something. I’m sure that in time I’ll get over the anger and go back to navigating through life.  

I hope Mavenclad works for me. I hope in time there will be more treatment options and I hope the decisions related to MS won’t impact every other aspect of life.

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