Selma Blair's Arrest Linked to Missed Multiple Sclerosis Medication, Lawyer Claims
The actress's legal team cited a lack of prescribed medication and a head injury as contributing factors to her in-flight incident.
Selma Blair's recent arrest aboard a Delta flight has drawn attention to the potential consequences of missing prescribed medication for multiple sclerosis (MS). The actress was charged with second-degree assault following an altercation with flight attendants and later with a police officer and nurse upon arrival in New York City.
According to Blair's attorney, Shawn Barnes, the incident stemmed from the actress missing several doses of a potent medication intended to manage her neurological symptoms. Barnes also stated that Blair struck her head during the flight, leading to confusion and disorientation. He suggested that the altitude may have exacerbated her condition, characterizing the event as a "medical emergency" rather than criminal behavior.
Blair, who was diagnosed with MS in 2018, has had her representatives decline to comment on the specific medication she reportedly missed or its direct link to her symptoms.
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
Neurologists explain that MS treatments aim to prevent inflammatory attacks and manage symptoms. Dr. Lee Murray, a neurologist at West Tennessee Healthcare, described three primary treatment approaches for MS. The first line of treatment typically involves medications, administered through IV infusions, pills, or self-injections, designed to suppress the disease over several years.
When a patient experiences an MS relapse, doctors may prescribe high-dose steroids, either orally or intravenously, to reduce inflammation and aid in recovery. However, these steroids do not improve long-term outcomes, according to the MS Society.
MS can also be accompanied by other health issues, such as bladder difficulties, depression, or neuropathic pain. Medications are often prescribed to address these symptoms, separate from disease-modifying therapies.
Risks Associated with Missed Doses
Consistency in taking MS medication is crucial for patients. Missing a dose can increase the risk of an MS relapse, potentially leading to new or acute neurological changes. Symptoms of a relapse can vary widely and may include balance problems, vision loss, dizziness, bowel or bladder dysfunction, or weakness and numbness.
Dr. Yoshua Quinones, an internist, noted that disease-modifying therapies reduce relapses and the accumulation of long-term disability. He cautioned that poor compliance with certain medications, particularly anti-trafficking drugs, can lead to a high risk of disease reactivation, potentially resulting in a rebound effect worse than the initial condition.
While cell-depleting therapies may have a less immediate impact from a single missed dose due to their longer action, Quinones emphasized that consistently missed doses can elevate the risk of relapse. The specific risks associated with skipping medication depend on the drug, the duration of the interruption, and the individual patient's circumstances.