avonex and tysabri

My neuro - whom I considered quite brilliant, though cold - was a researcher for Avonex and Tysabri. He spoke to me quite frankly and at length about his view of the different DMDs. When I was having relapses at 5 - 6 months on Avonex, he was quitel clear that the full effect of Avonex is just becoming apparent at 6 months and after. And when you look at the data, one thing that Rebif can boast of is showing it's effect faster than Avonex (ie. at about 4 months of use).

have been on in order, avonex, rebif, avonex again, betaseron, copaxone and tysabri. Currently not on any, but will be on gileyna in january. Tysabri worked the best for me, but because of the very high risk for me to get PML, I decided not to chance it any more.

Over the last 12 years he has been on Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone drugs. Now he is completing the 2 year mark of using Tysabri. Dr Appointment in 2 weeks assume he will stop infusions. I wonder what is next???? How are others doing after all these treatment and now what do they take???

My neuro, who does a wartload of research on AVonex and Tysabri, told me that Avonex "hits its full effect around 6 months," and when I was having symptoms at that time (actaully for me it was 7 to 8 months) did not feel that Avonex had been given a full chance. I think 6 months is jumping the gun a little, just based on the words of one of the major researchers, but I can't tell you that I really know.

Avonex (which I’ve used for 11 years) and others are notably absent from your list. Avonex, Rebif, and Betaseron have been around longest and have the strongest safety profiles. If your MS is more aggressive, then you may be more inclined to consider Gilenya, Tecfidera, Aubagio, or Tysabri. All of the DMDs are discussed from a neutral perspective at the link below: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Medications Choose a medicine that you can adhere to the dosing schedule.

Hi and welcome to this amazing forum, where you will find so many answers and opinions to your questions. Last year I went to see my 'ex neuro' who wanted to put me on Tysabri, I, after many arguments with him declined this treatment, due to the s/e and have opted for Copaxone again with another Neuro. Like Lulu said, I also think that Tys. is a last resort - so why do you want to come off Betasaron?

I started out on Avonex and gave up on it after 9 months. The side effects were too debilitating for me (flu-like symptoms). I then switched to Copaxone and stayed on that for about three years. I then quit that because I didn’t like the indentations in my skin. Next on the list was Betaseron. I withstood the side effects for two years before I finally decided that the headaches and fatigue were too much to bear.

s the official story. Many Tysabri users report a performance boost just after infusions and a drop off in performance just before the next infusion. I received 20 Tysabri infusions and didn't really feel much of either one. The good news was that I did not feel any obvious progression of my MS. Secondary Progressive MS is the eventual landing spot for 85% of people diagnosed with RRMS. I am among them.

She prefers Tysabri so far and said it is heaps better than Avonex. I saw my neuro recently and asked about Tysabri and what he thought. He doesnt seem to like it, he said it has had some very negative side effects and is too in its early stages. I have been on Rebif for 6 years and think that works great. Its a small needle you can do yourself with an autoject 3 times a week and has proven to slow the progression of my ms and make any relapses i do have very minor ones.

Hello James, I am guessing you mean drugs to slow the progression such as Rebif, Copaxone, Avonex and Betaseron . All but Tysabri are reasonably safe which is more affecective in slowing progression in some MS patients. The deal with MS drugs is the better they work at slowing progression the more dangerous they are because at the same time they suppress the immune system. Yes and the cost of all are very high.

Have you talked to your doctor about the depression? I looked it up and it can be a side effect of Avonex. It's not something I would wait and see about. I've dealt with depression before so I understand how horrible it can be. I currently take an antidepressant and wouldn't want to live without it.

//www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Gilenya-Users-Past-and-Present/show/1469412 http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Copaxone-users---past-and-present/show/643683 http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Tysabri-Users---Past-and-Present/show/1569374 http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Aubagio-Users-Past-and-Present/show/1946899 http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Our-Tysabri-Users---Past-and-Present/show/658918 http://www.medhelp.

The Meds that are 1st choice in Treatment, I beleive, are Copaxone, Avonex, Rebif and Betaseron. There are less risks with those than Tysabri and Gilenya. I had my 1st Tysabri infusion yesterday, and it was not an easy decision for me. I was MUCH more comfortable with Copaxone. I tested negative for the JC virus, but I am still worried. I too have young children, and I do worry about the side effects of Tysabri.

Hi Neena!!! Thanks for joining us :) I'm sorry you are having new worsening problems. Have you alerted your doctor? This may be a relapse for you and a course of steroids may help. Or, was the Tysabri suggested because the doc feels you may need a switch in meds? We do have Tysabri users on our forum, and I'll find a discussion about it and post the link here. It would be great if the Tysabri would indeed help you get some strength back.

I've not been on Avonex, but from all the comments here and the research I have done, I can udnerstand why you might be weary of doing this particular drug. Please give your neurologist a call and discuss it with your medical team. They may have other options for you or even recommend the Avonex pen autoinjector to help. I became weary of the daily Copaxone shots, my body decided it didn't like it, and am now on the monthly tysabri infusion.

I had forgotten that Plegridy even exists, so I looked it up for more info. Turns out it is made by Biogen Idec, who also make and market Avonex and Tysabri. It is a kind of interferon, and is administered via injection every two weeks. The doses are stepped up, with full levels reached after several weeks.

If you are allergic to interferon (Rebif and Avonex), then you will be allergic to the Betaseron. You were allergic to Copax too? What type of allergic reaction did you have, and how long did it take to happen? If I end up allergic to Rebif, my Neuro told me my only options are Copax or Tysabri. Were the reactions different from med to med? Please describe if you can.

Ok so I have clinical progression even with Avonex and Betasron but my MRI has very little change. I am I just a tough case or typical?

They found out the reason people contracted PML was because they were taking Avonex/and the other MS medications with Tysabri. I think the Tysabri has given me a second chance at helping slow my disease progress, but with out it I would be on no MS medications to slow the disease. I did alot of research before I decided to start the medication and the one resource that helped me make my decision was reading the Tysabri diaries on line. www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?

I have MS, and recently switched from Copaxone shots (on for 5 1/2 yrs) to Tysabri infusions (I've had three) due to slow decline. I have a flu shot every fall and was wondering if I should have one this year since I'm on a new med.

I get a real boost od energy shortly after my infusion which lasts almost three weeks. The energy is both physical and mental. My neuro, who is a Tysabri and Avonex researcher says that about 50% of his Tysabri patients report something similar. I have had NO bad side effects. The main factor affecting the sole worrisome problem is whether or not you are positive for the JC virus. As long as you are negative there is only an infinitesimal chance of it.

I was diagnosed almost 4 years ago-my first initial symptoms were left leg weakness/heaviness, being very tired , facial numbness and tingling in my rt arm. I started avonex and the flare lasted about 3 months.

Why won't the Copaxone work? It's not an interferon like Betaseron, Avonex, and Rebif. If it's working, how come he's considering changing it? None of the drugs, that I know of, will make the lesions go away. It may help with slowing down the progression of the disease, but it won't make damage go away (unfortunately). I'd find out about why he wants you to switch your medicine, if it's doing it's job.

I started with Tysabri as my first DMD and I believe your neuro can write an override letter requesting it. I've been on it for a year and a half AND tested JC+ from the beginning.

s financial asistance program to update my status and make sure that the Tysabri AND the administration fee (probably your $350) are covered by Biogen. Please call them back and see if you qualify for this generous offer.

Hi, I have been taking Tysabri for 14 months and so far so good, not new symptoms or relapses. I have tried Rebif and Avonex in the past and could never tolerate the drugs (too many side effects). The side effects I have experienced is a headache and tiredness on the day of the infusion (nothing that tylenol and a nap can't help). These side effects are NOTHING compared to the flu like symptoms I have experienced on the other meds. Hope this helps.

Guess what chemo worked in my case. He is thinking Tysabri to be more aggressive. I have PPMS and I would do Tysabri if I did not have Cancer.

Avonex and tysabri

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