avonex treatment for ms

I HAVE BEEN ON AVONEX FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND MY NEURO HAS NEVER SPOKEN OF CALCIUM DEFICIENCY. I HAVE READ THE PAMPHLET THAT COMES IN THE BOX, AND DO NOT REMEMBER READING ANYTHING LIKE. I HAVE ONE AT THE HOUSE AND WILL READ AGAIN AND THEN LET YOU KNOW. I ALSO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DR ON TUESDAY, I WILL MAKE IT A NOTE TO ASK HER. WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON HER RECOMMENDATIONS. TAKE CARE AND YOU ARE A WONDERFUL PERSON BY ASKING SOMETHING FOR A FRIEND.

t in the typical place for MS (mine were located in the bilateral centrum semiovale rather than the more common periventricular spaces in MS). My MS doctor at the MS center in NYC says that one of those lesions looks probable for MS even if it's in the wrong location because of its shape (more oblong). I've attached a photo of the relevant lesion. ---My spinal and cervical MRIs came back clear. ---My spinal fluid came back negative as well.

Is anyone in a clinical trial for MS? There are a few out there, one that is a T-Cell vaccine, two are oral and one that pairs Copaxone with daily oral steroid use. Just interested in peoples experiences.

I have had MS for 10 years and I just stopped my AVONEX so I can try and get pregnant I know it sounds stupid but there is no studies on avonex and pregnancy so I just thought I would ask if any one else has been on some treatment or off to get pregnant? and how long were you off your meds ?

I am a female who three months ago had a hysterectomy due to HPV strains 16 and 18 causing low grade cervical cancer. My choice to have the hysterectomy rather than other treatment options for dysplagia. All margins clear. I'm well but may carry the hpv incessantly dormant as doctors really don't know. I have met someone and we'd like to start a serious relationship/marry. He has MS. Low level, takes Avonex, with no exacerbation or new lesions in three years since starting Avonex.

Should my neurologist have used the McDonald criteria for diagnosing MS on 2003? I know today pharmaceutical companies say the sooner the better but what happens to a body that takes Copaxone for 4.5 years and never had MS? Did I have experimental allergic encephalomyelitius? Wasn't Copaxone developed to give mice MS? There must be a strict specific requirement before a person should be on Copaxone. Please help me.

s could possibly make the lupus worse..As you can see, my point is this - just like MS is different for everyone, so is finding the right treatment. I have a friend who was on copaxone for 15 years and had a severe reaction to it...suddenly. She hasn't been on anything for about a year and says she feels better than she has in decades...???

Thank you so much for your comments. I am calling MSLifelines to ask for an estimate about how much I'd need to pay for Rebif or Avonex. Today I feel less stressed about making the decision, and I think it's definitely better to wait until I come back from my trip to begin treatment. I guess that if all of the medications are about as effective reducing relapses, then the initial decision comes down to a matter of convenience, side-effects and cost.

I just saw a MS neuro at OSU hospital. He asked me whether I was interested in being in the Tysabri study. I am only 37 and have only had one relapse. I know I will be deciding on a treatment and not sure what direction to go. This neuro is big in research and he spent a lot of time talking with me about MS. He mentioned a JC Virus and took my blood to look for it. If I don't, I would be a good candidate for Tysabri. It has 67% reduction in relapses but also risks getting PML.

Because of this there are clinical trials looking into the possibility of using estrogen as an oral treatment for MS. The time period around delivery, however, is a risky time with more relapses (this may be because of a sudden drop in estrogen levels). It is important to discuss this with your neurologist and OB/Gyn.

Thanks for posting this. I am going to find out more about it.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TREATMENT. I FORGOT TO TELL YOU, I HAVE BEEN IN AVONEX TREATMENT FOR 3 YEARS NOW. MY ADVISE IS LIKE HEATHER TOLD YOU BEFORE, TAKE YOUR TYLENOL OR ADVIL 24 HOURS BEFORE YOUR SHOT, YOU MAY NOT HAVE ANY FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS. PLEASE KEEP US POSTED.

I am glad you have a dx but I wish it didn't have to be MS... It sounds like you've got a pretty good doctor who wants to jump right in there... I'm happy for you there... So many of us have went through neuro after neuro trying to get answers and some are still looking... I hope the Avonex works out for you with few to no side effects would be great... Don't forget that we are here for you any time you need a friend, have a question, or maybe need to vent...

i said no more for that nurologist met and made new appointment new nurologist brought him all my copysof mri and reports he had saw them and told me to imediatly stop shooting avonex cause i dont have ms i haf tia mini strokes took my significant other next day cause i was shocked that i dont have ms and then he said to the both of us it could be lessions of severe migrains but not ms and if it was ms i wouldnt be crippled to im atleast 90 no need for avonex thats clearly a dr defending anot

Hi Rondi, Bob and Shell have covered the interferon idea so let me jump to another one in your post. What are you basing the thought that you really don't need to be on a disease modifying drug for your MS? Are you willing to gamble that your next lesion or relapse won't be the one that affects your walking or your memory or your bladder, etc. We know that being proactive and taking treatment even when you think nothing is going on is the best way to avoid future damage.

I am also guessing about the test injection you were given. It sounds like a TB skin test. Avonex helps decrease flares of MS symptoms by modifying the way a person's immune system works. There is a very small chance people taking it will be vulnerable to development of active tuberculosis. Your doctor is probably being extra careful and checking for any past exposure to TB so he can be sure you aren't at risk once you start Avonex treatment.

i think i heard him say rebif when i asked for his opinion. i'm going to put the question out this week at my ms group. yes, i'm comfortable jumping to a new one, sure. apprehensive? sure, but not in that i need to switch meds. apprehensive in the scenarios that play in my head regarding the years of BS from the VA, the fight to get a dx for proper treatment, and then, looks like copaxone isn't working. but, most in my ms group have had to switch and experiment.

ve been on Avonex for the past two months. The side effects have been minimal for me. My problem is now my liver enzymes are elevated. Dr. said I may have to try something else if my elevated liver enzymes continue. I don't like the idea of a daily shot with Copaxone, but I'm also concerned about the side effects of the oral medications. I won't consider Tysabri at this point because my MS diagnosis is fairly new and I want to try other treatments first.

Avonex treatment for ms

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