Hi I have a question- I have been on Copaxone for over 10 years and I am suffering with indented sites which can no longer let my shots be injected. My question is which of the ms treatments should I go to next? My MS dr. gave me papers on Avonex but the side effects is what I'm worried about. My Copazone has worked so well I'm afraid to change but just running out of places to give the shot. Thanks for any reply's..
Has anyone every gone off the Avonex--& if so how did it go? Wanting so badly to quit the shots! Been doing them since '98 & it's getting hard to get the needle through the skin on my legs. I went from '78 to '98 with no episodes & was diagnosed then. That was with no meds of any kind for that 20 years!!
I have been on Avonex for the last 15 years and have finally reached my limit. I am taking a 6 week break from the Avonex and will be starting Copaxone at the end of April. I actually have two questions: 1) Has anyone taken a break from their medication for that long (and if so, any consequences) and 2) Has anyone switched from Avonex to Copaxone, and if so, how did you do?
I have been on Avonex for 10 years. I am feeling pretty good. Very few ms problems. My gait is somewhat labored, I have intention tremor in my hands and some numbness on my left side. I am considering stopping my Avonex becausse of the cost. Have not seen my neurologist yet but want another persons opinion also.
Yes, I think you really need to report this to your neuro. Are you being monitored for liver problems since starting Avonex? That's always a good idea with this med, since the enzyme levels can get fouled up.
I also get just the usual effects from Avonex (on it 4 months), but I've learned how to minimize them and so am doing very well thus far.
Please talk to your doctor and let us know what you find out.
Shortly after it came out, I tried Gilenya for 19 days, mainly because of my needlephobia. It seemed to adversely affect my heart, and so I went back to my previous tried-and-true Avonex therapy. But many people report good results; in fact, I still am a member (although only lurking) of the "Gilenya (Fingolimod) Users Support Group" on Facebook, perhaps what Califunny refers to, and I would heartily endorse you joining.
My doctor offered me AVONEX for that and I used AVONEX for almost 1 year. But about 6 months back, I felt some slight disability on my left side. I cannot move my left leg properly after about 15 minutes walk now. I don't now it is again symptom for MS or not. Is there any body here to help me. I really appreciate any answer. BTW, I am right handed.
I have used Avonex for years, and I consider it a “success” because my condition has not deteriorated and I haven’t had a relapse in years. But you will find Copaxone, Rebif, and Betaseron users that will tell you the same thing. On the other hand, others take those medications and still face significant disease progression and/or find the drug side effect intolerable.
Many users of newer oral drugs also find success, although those drugs have not yet stood the test of time.
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.
I'm just curious... Do Avonex injections hurt all that much? I do a subcutaneous Betaseron injection and I don't feel a thing, not even a pinch when I inject. I just wanted to keep an open mind about possibly switching DMDs but the thought of doing an intramuscular injection gives me the heebie jeebies.
t take any meds for years til after I had my first child. I started avonex was on that for about year then had my second child then went back on avonex then lost my insurance had to stop meds for about a year. Now I am on rebif have had at least three attacks in one year but no new lesions. Was wondering if anyone is on gileyna and if so how long and how is it doing for you I start soon and worried.
00pm, will I have an adverse effect from the combination of the two?
I think that there is a GREAT possiblity that some of your current problems could be coming from spinal lesions. I think a full spinal MRI using MS Protocol should be insisted upon. My Neuro also only did the brain this time and declined to do the spinal MRI, despite knowing I have a T6-7 lesion. I was not happy that the spinal MRI was not repeated and told her so.
When I go back in Sept., I am going to again ask for a spinal MRI of the entire spine.
What? Your doctor thinks that since you haven't had an attack in several years, you should stop taking the treatment designed to prevent attacks?? This makes zero sense to me.
I'm not necessarily an advocate of Avonex (which I took for several years), but I *am* an advocate, a big one, of fighting MS with one of the many treatments now on the market. If you were currently having problems with Avonex I'd suggest you try one of the pill treatments.
If you stay on the Avonex I would ask your doctor to check your liver function and other levels with a blood test every 3-6 months for the first year to make sure your body is handling it well. Are you having any side effects now from the Avonex, such as depression, flu-like symptoms, etc?
I am on Avonex now and the website is helpful. Also, did you get an info packet when you started? I found that helpful, too.
Why do your doctors think its MS? Have you seen an MS specialist?
Wondering if Avonex can cause itchiness & rashes throughout body after a few mos. of using. Was on it for 1 1/2 yrs., stopped for 8 mos. & resumed. Started getting some rashes & itchiness throughout body. Thank you
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