rebif or avonex

yes, it was the va neuro recently that mentioned rebif or avonex and suggested strongly i go with one of them versus the copaxone. this guy typically minimizes any symptom i have(my impression). can't talk to a nurse there until doc Rx's something. i don't even want to discuss that office.

MY DR WANTS ME TO TAKE AVONEX OR REBIF, TRIED COPAXONE IN 2004 HORRIBLE LUMPS THE SIZE OF GOLF BALLS. STOPPED AFTER 3 MOS. I AM GETTING WORSE IN MY GAIT. MY KNEES ARE WEAK & IN PAIN. I AM JUST INTOERABLE TO ABOUT EVERY DRUG OUT THERE. CAN'T TAKE ANTIDEPRESSANTS- WHICH I NEED TO TAKE ACCORDING TO ALL I READ. WHAT HAVE YOU STRUGGLED THROUGH & HOW LONG TO MAKE A DECISION. IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE & SCAREY. MY QUAILTY OF LIFE IS GETTING WORSE - SO ONLY A FOOL WOULDN'T TRY - RIGHT?!

Hello! I've just been diagnosed with MS and am wondering which drug is better. I've read the material for Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron. I've narrowed it down to two -- Rebif or Copaxone based mainly on side effects. Which drug is the best?

Hi, I was wondering if anyone who has taken both Avonex and Rebif could give some input here. I have been taking Rebif since this past June, but have started to wonder about how Avonex would compare side-effect-wise. As they are both interferons, I would think they would be similar, but I'm not certain. The idea of once a week sounds nice in comparion though, so I would like some actual first-hand knowledge. Thanks!

t find much about this as a side effect on-line) or am I in that lucky 4% of Avonex users who have hair loss. If it is the Avonex, will it stop as my body gets used to the drug? Good God I hope so! Any insight is appreciated, as this is really stressing me out.....which can also cause hair loss!!!

what MS shots copaxone, rebif, betaseron & avonex has the smallest percentage of blood fractions

If your disease is active and progressive, go for the stronger medication - Avonex, Tysabri, or Rebif. If you have a slower disease course, Betaseron or Copaxone is a better option. The neuro should be ordering an MRI in a year to check for progression and see whether the drug is working. That way, you can make an informed decision on what's best for your body. I opted for Copaxone, thinking that in a year we would do another MRI to check for progression.

It is definitely an individual choice and based on so many various factors..other conditions you are dealing with, etc. For me, copaxone was first choice because I have other autoimmune diseases I'm dealing with along with diabetes and copd, and supposedly has the least amount of side effects. I was able to stay on it for about a year before I began having bad skin reactions.

) Also, Avonex is only once a week. Biogen Idec, maker of Avonex, is also offering Plegridy, which sounds exactly like Avonex but maybe shallower shot, and I believe only once every 2 weeks. You might read up on this. My neuro is not big on Gilenya, because of possible cardio effects, though for me that could be age-related, as I'm now about 500 :-) I don't know much about Aubagio, and it isn't often discussed here.

I am surprised that your doctor is trying Rebif after you had a dpressive reaction to Avonex. This doesn't make sense to me. Yes, the Interferon-beta-1a and 1b meds are known for sometimes causing depression or making it worse. Major or untolerable depression is an indication for discontinuing the interferon medications. The problem is that the side effects of the interferons is typically "sode-dependent".

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.

Hi there! Nice to meet you! I understand keeping it under his hat for work. When, or if it's time, he'll divulge. If he's doing well he may just take the add on of a DMD in stride and not notice a thing. While I can't speak to the side affects of Avonex, I am on Rebif and find them very tolerable. Went about my night to back to school night after the 1st shot and the rest is history.

one of our long term members, essdipity, had the same problem with the itching and switched to either Rebif or Avonex. Good luck in your decision. Was Gilenya offered as an option or just the interferons?

M ON REBIF,ITS LIKE AVONEX , BUT IT GOES UNDER THE SKIN AND ITS 3 DAYS A WEEK. WHEN I STARTED REBIF I STARTED OUT AT 8MCGS AND TIRATED UP TO THE NORMAL DOSAGE.I HAD VERY LITTLE SIDE EFFECTS AS IN FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS, I HAVE HOWEVER HAD SITE INJECTION SPOTS. TAKE SOME TIME AND RESEARCH BOTH MEDS AND SEE WHAT SEEMS TO SUIT YOU BEST. I'M SURE MANY WILL BE BY TO OFFER MORE ADVICE AND EXPERIENCES.

Administering it daily is actually easier for me to comply with than the Rebif was; I would sometimes forget if I had taken it that day or the day before. With Copaxone I dont have to think about it, it is part of my nightly bedtime routine and is over with in about 10 seconds.

Flu-like symptoms are a fairly common side effect during the initial weeks of Avonex treatment. It is recommended that you take your Avonex injection before bedtime. Immediately before your injection, and for the 24 hours that follow the injection, patients have found that use of over the counter pain and fever reducing medications can help with this common side effect." You could also get on the Avonex website for further info. good luck. hope that you feel better soon.

s known that some people on the Interferons, Avonex and Rebif have had no additional lesions, that have lasted years. That was my experience when I took Avonex. Since I now take Copaxone and have only been on it for a little over a year, I cannot give you a personal view of how well the drug is working for me. I am beginning to notice less relapses, though. How DMD's work is not fully understood.

ve kicked around the CRABs here, a lot. Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron are the primary four. Your doctor didn't offer Tysabri as your fifth, did he? I like the Decision Maker tool in the uk that walks you through the drugs and helps you figure what is important for you. You can access this at http://www.msdecisions.org.uk welcome to the world of drugs aand bills. I'm glad to hear you are getting treatment for your CIS. Congrats on that one.

Ok - No, Avonex and Copax are not comparable in terms of type or dosing. They have comparable effectiveness. Avonex, Betaseron, and Rebif are interferons and Copax is a peptide, so they work through the body buy by completely different mechanism. I like the the thinking of your Doc with waiting more time to evaluate efficacy w/Avonex. The addition of the solumed may help to simmer down that active inflammation too.

Just a quicdk thought here. If depression occurs on one Interferon it would be expected to occur on all Interferons at the same dose or higher. Avonex is the lowest does and my reading on this problem says that the same side effect would be expected - and possibly worse - on a higher dose. So, I don't understand the switch from Avonex to Rebif AT ALL. In order of increasing Interferon dose it goes Avonex-> Rebif -> Betaseron.

I mostly just have a headache or a little achey and that is only once in awhile. I would call my neuro pronto and/or biogen/idec, the makers of Avonex. I think they have someone on call to answer questions. Even the place where you get your Rx should have someone who can answer your question. Best wishes! I sure hope it clears up soon! That must be miserable!

Rebif or avonex

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