Hi Mandy,
Had they offered the betaseron when it was mild? Not that it matters, just glad you are on it now, but I am curious. We've heard a variety of Drs opinions here, some Drs do some don't. I hope the betaseron prevents those relapses for you. Did you have a long period of mildness, then the sudden change?
Sorry for all the questions, just that this MS varies so much, it's good to hear of different experiences.
I've been on Betaseron since a year after I was diagnosed in 2000. On August 20th, I quit taking Betaseron cold turkey when I finally received my new oral medication Tecfidera. For the last few days I have been dealing with horrible body aches, diarrhea, cold sweats & the inability to eat (not feeling sick, just not being hungry or interested in eating). I do not have a fever, a cough, allergies or anything else I can conclude to be at fault for these annoying symptoms.
org/Treating-MS/Medications
DMD (disease modifying drugs) for MS do not treat symptoms. They seek to lessen the frequency of relapses and seem to slow progression. They play the long game.
However, there are several drugs your doctor can prescribe for symptomatic treatment. Many people here are on medication to aid with their fatigue, spacticity, etc. and many of us have had IV courses of methylprednisolone when in the midst of an acute relapse.
I started on Betaseron within a month of the diagnosis. I have symptoms from the old lesions but never had another clinical exacerbation. I stopped taking the Betaseron after 6 years (two months ago). Two more MRIs after diagnosis showed no new lesions. The second MRI (a year after diagnosis) looked like "classic M.S." (I was told by an M.S. specialist). The third MRI (last year) showed some of the lesions were smaller. Question: by whatever criteria is being used now, is this M.S.?
I have been on Betaseron since 1995. I have not had an attack since I started using the Betaseron. 3 1/2 year ago I slipped on the stairs and landed hard on my tailbone. A pain shot up through my back and gave me a terrible headache. Over the next few days, my leg started going numb. Went to the doctor and he sent me for x-rays and gave me muscle relaxants. Nothing on the x-ray. Sent me to my neurologist. He examined me and said it was MS and had me take three courses of solumedrol.
The specialist at UCSF is switching me to Tysabri and has told me to go ahead and stop my Betaseron. It has now been 2 shots that I missed (well didn't take) and for the past 2 days I have been feeling like someone beat the crud outta me.
My husband is insisting it is cuz I am not taking my shots. I don't see how that can be. We went to UCSF Monday night (4 hr drive), had my Dr appt Tues which took 4 hrs.
Yes, the neuro gave me packets on the Rebif and Betaseron and urged I do a little research on them; of course, the forum was my first place to turn :) I am also curious as to how severe the side effects could be. Will I be able to work? How quickly after giving my decision will I actually begin the meds? So many questions!!!!!!!!
I started it in July of this year after giving Betaseron a try. My life became a living h*ll on Betaseron. It was definitely not the drug for me. My doctor went over all of my options, but at that point trying another shot was not going to happen. Ty I would never even consider since I have children to raise.
Anyway, I knew going into the appt that I wanted to try LDN and was prepared for a fight to get an RX for it.
s work about the same and the choice you have to make depends on your personal preferences. Copaxone is one class of drug while Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron are all interferons.
The British UK site has one of the best walk-throughs on picking a drug that I have seen. It discusses in depth each DMD and its side-effects and injection schedule/technique. Just pretend you live in the UK and spend about 45 minutes working through their presentation and you will feel so much smarter.
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