rebif liver

I've just started Rebif. I'm taking it because I need to try to halt the progression of the disease. I've been Dx'd for 23 years, and don't know whether it's remitting/progressive or secondary/progressive now. I do, however, love a glass or two of wine at night. I realize that ultimately Rebif has a problem with increasing the ensymes in your liver, but a little can't be that bad. Are there immediate bad side effects initially?

Ive not had liver problems on Rebif but did have low WBC counts once - took a break from it and then all returned to normal after re-starting.

I recall my neuro saying it took just a few days. Rebif if was my first DMD and it elevated my liver enzymes. I started and stopped it twice, and both times I stopped my shots, my liver enzymes returned to normal within a few days. I ceased treatment and immediately started Copaxone, no waiting period for the purpose of starting a different DMD.

hi db, I was diagnosed in 2003 and was on rebif since jan 2004. I also had problems with elevated liver function. They reduced me to a half dose and then bumped me back up to a full dose. I again had problems with elevated liver function. My neuro then decided to keep me on a 1/2 dose (my specialist felt that a 1/2 dose of rebif was roughly equivalent to a full dose of copaxone), which I have been on since late 2004.

I was misdiagnosed with MS in 2007. I took the Rebif injections until the first part of 2011. I have heard a lot of talk that Rebif could possibly cause cancer. Now I had an abnormal mammogram. There is no cancer in any of my family. Is it possible that Rebif could cause breast cancer?

Anyway it just dawned on me tonight that my neuro used to check me every 6 months for hgb, liver function wbc but over the years stopped. Could my anemia be caused by rebif? If so does that necessitate stopping it?

My neurologist recommended Copaxone or Rebif. I have choosen Rebif mainly because apparently I have an active lesion in my neck and he said that Rebif has been shown to be quicker in "healing" the lesion. I have read about Rebif and and its side effects and starting to get really nervous. Any comments, pro or cons?

I have been on both Rebif and Copaxone. I was on Rebif for about 5 years, and I have been on Copaxone for two. I didn't have any problems with the Rebif except for the high liver functions. That is why I am on Copaxone. I think there is no difference in the injection pain. They both were very minimal. My worst pain was in my arms for some reason. The daily injections aren't bad, especially since you don't get sick.

I'm doing ok on the rebif, thanks for asking. Been on it for 8 months now. Still having some mild side effects, like headaches, but a couple tylenol extra strenth takes care of it most days. For the first 6 months I got a blood test every month to check my liver, no problems, so now I just get tested every 6 months. I'm heading down to UBC at the end of the month for an MRI, so I'll find out how my lesion are doing.

s attractive being a pill, but still having to monitor and test for liver damage with rebif just the same - if the stats are not reducing relapse rate better than rebif why switch. The hair thinning is a bit of a vanity that I might consider compromising if there were a benefit, but ... Well, I'm just not understanding the point. Maybe there are some who are allergic to the injections that could benefit from the pill instead?

It's not really at what level is serious, Now if your levels to start out with were 4x the high limit, then your doctor would have order additional test immediately. You have an elevated level and it keeps rising and not leveling off or dropping. If this continues your doctor will do a CT scan and/or an ultrasound of your liver. There are a number of conditions that cause elevation of ALT enzymes. As simply as eating fatty foods, to all types of hepatitis.

Hello. I was on Copaxone for 2 years. While on it I experienced several flair ups, so it's time to try something else. We decided on Rebif. Can any Rebif users out there give me any input on your experiences or helpful hints. I'm pretty nervous about the side effects but I am going in with a positive attitude. Thanks for the help.

Rebif can cause flu-like symptoms - are you currently running a fever? How long have you felt sick? Of course, it's very important to talk to your regular doctor about any symptoms. It may not be the Rebif that's causing your vomiting and shortness of breath. A month or so ago, I had serious pain in my right leg. I thought it was an escalation of my spasticity - turned out it was a blood clot! I waited three weeks before seeking treatment.

Other than the liver enzyme issue, I had no problem with Rebif as far as other side effects or the injections themselves. And the liver thing affects so few people, just my dumb luck I guess that I happen to be one of them.

I went off it, and went temporariy off ALL meds and supplements and no alcohol, as all of these things can affect liver anyzyme levels. After one week, liver function back to normal. Restarted Rebif and only Rebif, stayed off the other meds, alcohol, etc, and liver enzymes shot up again after only a weeek or two. So I stopped and immediately started Copaxone. This was nearly 5 years ago. I've had no side effects other than the inital site reactions and one minor IPIR episode.

Zoe, I understand the inital uneasiness of taking an injectable DMD. I say 'initial' because I'm pretty sure this will lessen in time, as it has for so many of us. It seems strange and foreign and weird to be putting something into your body that initially may have you feeling worse than without it. Yes, it isn't 100% effective but it's not 0% effective either. When you think about it, how many meds out there in all of medicine are 100% effective? There are a few.

Hi Jen, We've not met. I'm Shelly and I'm on Rebif. You'll be contacted to receive your Rebif script, and a nurse covering your area will contact you to find a time to come visit (will also make sure you received the meds - which you'll keep in the fridge). He or she will teach you and whoever else you want to learn the injection techniques. The nurse will also talk to you about your MS, the meds and possible side affects, etc.

As some may have seen, Abagio the 2nd oral is now approved. Important to note (my opinion) - When compared to Rebif. Don't mean to be skeptical my friends, I'm just the type of person who wants some comparisons to existing meds with track records.

Is anyone else on Rebif? Any pointers or tips or suggestions from people who have been on Rebif (or Betaseron or Copaxone or Avonex)? I'm a little scared to start therapy, but also excited. I'm trying to be very positive about this. Thanks!

I saw my neurologist and he said that becuase I had recently had an increase in dosage of rebif it could be making me feel unwell. My symptoms were painful spacticity and urinary difficult (which were all new to me) and I'd swear I was having a relpase. I felt sicker than ever before with MS.

s good about Rebif (and the other interferons) is that risks will be monitored. i.e., liver enzymes, thyroid and blood counts. A simple blood draw before you start and then 3 months in usually does the trick. For precaution, your neuro may run them yearly after that if all seems clear. I'm on Rebif, and I'd recommend it for anyone suffering with MS. I rarely relapse and only had to pause meds once for low wbc. I've been good since then and the side affects minimize over time.

Gosh, this isn't good. Is liver stuff a common side effect of Rebif? Have you ever had elevated liver enzymes from some other cause? If you do have to change meds, at least there's still Copaxone for you. Absolutely do whatever is necessary that you get the full monte of MRIs, done right this time. Why is it the GP who is ordering them? I'd rather you have an MS specialist evaluating them. Not just the GP, and not just the radiologist.

Copaxone is the weakest and he did not recommend it for me. Betaseron, Rebif and Avonex are essentially the same drug, Intefereon beta, administered in different doses. My Neuro is a big believer in Neutralizing antibodies. Avonex NAB rate is around 5% Rebif around 10-15% Betaseron 25-30% NABs can bind to the active side of the interferon molecule rendering it useless. So naturally (if you believe in NABs) you would likely pick the one with the lowest NABs.

Hello, I have to try Rebif before my insurance will consider me for an oral DMD (since I've already been on Copaxone). I don't know too much about Rebif. I do know that it's an interferon and can cause flu like symptoms and I think it's intramuscular injections. Do the injections hurt? Do you do the injections or does a nurse come out and give the injections? Are the injections in your legs? How often do you have to get the injections?

After staying off of it for five weeks and seeing a reduction in my liver enzymes, I took just one 22mcg shot again last week and already my liver is not tolerating it. The MS clinic called this morning to say no more shots (darn, I took one last night) and so I am done with Rebif for good. I guess I was overly optimistic when I started my shots last week as I picked up another $1500 worth of syringes at the pharmacy.

Just trying to get my head around starting drugs have known had MS since 06 listed as proable until next relapse although they were sure I had it two weeks ago half head went numb now have to decide which I want to take I am leaning towards rebif any would be great .

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