Relapsing MS Patientsʼ Experiences with Glatiramer Acetate Treatment: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

This study examined the experiences of a group of patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis who received glatiramer acetate for the treatment of their illness. Heideggerian phenomenologic research methods drove the data analysis process with the Atlas Qualitative Data Analysis software program. The sample was a diverse group of 20 men and women 39-64 years of age who had been diagnosed with MS 1-21 years and taking glatiramer acetate 1-7 years. Several participants had been on other treatments; they related their reasons for choosing this treatment and how they manage to persist with taking the daily injections. The themes included choosing glatiramer acetate, self-managing care, injecting, healthy lifestyle, side effects, support, and participant advice to others. Patients with relapsing MS experience a complex process of adjustment when they are diagnosed with the disease and come to the decision to start aggressively treating the illness. They view glatiramer acetate as an integral part of the formula to maintain control over their bodies and manage the disease. Taking the glatiramer acetate injection every day becomes easier as time goes on. They reported that side effects were minimal and manageable.