Devic’s Disease
Dangerous Devic’s Disease Attacks Nervous System and Spinal Cord – Is there any Cure?
Introduction:
Devic’s Syndrome is a disease that is related to multiple sclerosis and lupus, but is unique in that it presents itself before MS and lupus and it progresses much more rapidly. Devic’s Disease targets and affects the optic nerves, the sheath of the spinal cord, and causes in continence. Currently, there is no cure, only treatment.
Causes:
The cause of Devic’s disease is not completely known. Doctors believe that a combination of factors must be present for Devic’s disease to develop. These risk factors include: genetic predisposition, environment (Scotland, Scandinavia, and northern Europe have the highest incidences), and viruses.
Symptoms:
The physical symptoms of Devic’s disease are: tingling, numbness, loss of balance, weakness in arms and/or legs. Those afflicted with Devic’s disease may also exhibit slurred speech, paralysis, and lack of coordination. Individuals will most likely feel tired, dizzy, and have difficulty concentrating. Further, these symptoms may appear constantly or in isolated incidents.
Tests:
The most common test to determine if someone has Devic’s disease is a magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI). Most people who have Devic’s disease will show signs of it on an MRI, although a very small percentage will not and will have to undergo a physical assessment to diagnose the disease. The physical assessment includes discovering a “clinically isolated syndrome.” For example, if an individual has one symptom such as a weakness in one arm and other possible causes can be ruled out the patient may be prescribed treatment for Devic’s disease.
Prevention:
Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to prevent Devic’s disease. The only well documented way to decrease the risk of contracting Devic’s disease is to relocate from Scotland, Scandinavia, or northern Europe prior to reaching adolescence.
Drugs / Medicine available:
The drugs that are used to treat multiple sclerosis are also used to treat Devic’s disease. Unfortunately, while these drugs slow the progression of the disease they do not have as significant an impact on Devic’s disease as MS because the disease progresses much more quickly. Some of the most common drugs are: Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Novantrone, Rebif, and Tysabri.
Treatments Available:
Drug treatment is the most common method of treating Devic’s disease. Please see above.
Future treatment methods:
Fortunately, there have been strides in recent years for treating Devic’s disease. By using stem cells, immunoablation, bone marrow, and umbilical cord blood transplants have show promising results for sufferers of Devic’s disease. A possible cure is also in the works by using myeloblation and hematopoietic cell replacement.
July 24th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
i have had this for over 20+ YEARS,26 DOCTORS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.IT TOOK THEM 10 YEARS OF ER VISITS FOR HEADACHES THAT LITTERLY PUT ME ON THE FLOOR,PUKING,FROM DOCS TO DENTISTS TO PHYCOLGIST(IT WAS IN MY MIND,I WAS SEEKING DRUGS)THEN IT WAS OH MY YOU HAVE A TOUMOR BEHIND YOUR EYE!! THEN THINKING TO LOOSE EYE,OH WELL IT’S M.S. WITH OPTIC NEROITIS! !!LIGHT MAKES ME SCREAM,THE HEAT HAS ME IN THE HOSPIAL TO GET I.V.ED WITH H2O.I’M HEADED TO SEATTLE AS ASAP.