Treatment of MS attacks during pregnancy

[Pages:1]Treatment of MS attacks during pregnancy

Fortunately, women have fewer MS attacks during pregnancy. Nevertheless, an occasional attack may occur. It is important that you tell your obstetrician that you have MS and that you might need treatment for an MS attack during your first visit. This will allow time to plan for any attacks that might occur during the pregnancy. Oftentimes, it is best to call your neurologist if you have an attack so that decisions about treatment can be made quickly. If an attack occurs, there are four options.

1. No treatment: If the attack is minor, there may be no need for treatment. This is appropriate if the attack is not interfering with the patient's activities, or if the symptoms are not distressing.

2. Corticosteroids: If the attack is interfering with activities, or symptoms are distressing, corticosteroids may be used. The standard high-dose is used. In general, shorter courses (3 days) without oral tapers afterwards are used to minimize the use of the medication during pregnancy.

3. Plasma exchange: Plasma exchange may be used for patients that have severe attacks and who have not responded adequately to corticosteroids. Because of the need to carefully monitor blood pressure and blood clotting, most pregnant women would be hospitalized for this treatment for about two weeks.

4. IVIg: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has occasionally been used to treat pregnant women with MS attacks. IVIg is believed to be safe during pregnancy. There is little data to support this treatment in pregnancy, and it is uncertain how well it works.

Multiple Sclerosis Center

1600 East Jefferson St., Suite A Seattle, WA 98122 T 206.320-2200 F 206.320-2560 ms or

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