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Which meds did you chose and why?

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Multiple Sclerosis
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Posted 10/27/2009 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
I ask this because as a new starter to these meds, i thought i would have encountered more people who would have chosen Avonex being that its a weekly injection. I know that was the main seller for me to chose Avonex. I experience the side effects of muscle cramps, but my doc has prescribed Tramadol which seems to be working for this, and aside from being fatigued the next few days, thats all I experience. My neuro gave me the info on all 4 meds and said each work the same and that it were my choice to chose what i was most comfortable with

So why did you chose Copox, Rebif, Betaferon or Avonex?
Posted 10/27/2009 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Donatella,

In my opinion, it is not quite true that they all work the same.  They work differently for each person.  The problem is, no one can predict what will work for each person.  It is a complete crap shoot!!!!  You might as just start with which ever one you think you will do best with and then go from there. 

I chose copaxone due to no side effects other than local.  I still work full time and I didn't want to deal with any interferon side effects.  I did not want to feel like I was having the flu even if it was for 5 to 8 hours.  The draw back of copaxone is definitely a shot everyday.  You also get very lumpy!!!! 

So far so good for me.  The copaxone is easy enough and seems to be working (despite the fact that I am flaring as I am writing this). 

You are my hero to do those LONG needles with avonex!!!!  Yikes!  shocked  

Thanks for starting a great thread. 

Posted 10/27/2009 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
its always interesting to hear other peoples stories.  i didnt want coxapane because of the daily injections but i can see why others steer clear of the intaferons.  the first time i had my first shot, i wasnt warned at the severity of the side effects, and ended up fainting, shaking, vomiting and in hospital cause my mum didnt know what to do.  this was only a month ago and i've since been building myself up to a full shot again (only been doing half shots, but might try a full shot again tonight, cause its been a month).  i get the aches and pains and fatigue but find tramadol works for the aches, and the fatigue i just have to deal with, and have been dealing with for a long time.  i guess i'm lucky as a casual worker, i dont always start work early, a lot not until 4pm in the afternoon so it works ok, and one needle a week ticks my boxes tongue

the long needles arent so bad, i'm a nursing student so i see it as practice on myself.  for some reason it doesnt hurt in one thigh, but hurts in the other.  i havent had a site reaction yet which is good, so i guess i'm doing ok smurf

expensive stuff though!!

Posted 10/28/2009 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
HI there and good morning - I'm with Gretchin and chose Copaxone for the same reasons that she did.  And so far, after two years of being on this DMT, there has been improvment.  But then again not everyone is the same, and not everyone will react the same to the treatment.

It all boils down to person choice, and what your life style can handle. 

Gary

Posted 10/29/2009 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
I just had my avonex last night and have had a migraine all night, still now arghhh i hate you intaferons cry
Posted 10/29/2009 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
OOOH Donatella!

I am a huge baby about headaches!  Feel better soon!

Posted 11/9/2009 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
I've taken copaxone since I was diagnosed (actually I think 8 yrs ago... I think I've been saying 7) and other then a few lumps where I take the shots no side effects. I've been doing good. I've only had 1 relapse during this time but it was a bad one.
Posted 2/28/2010 9:34 AM (GMT 0)
 

   Donnatella,

   

                   In my opinion you choose what is initially comfortable for you,  but ultimately I feel "The Drug Chooses You". I'll explain!...I knew I would never stay with it if it was an intramuscular injectin. "NO WAY". So Avonex was "NEVER" gonna be an option for me. The first I went with was Rebif. After 6 months I was in the hospital with a very bad exacerbation (over a month). That was stopped "IMMEDIATELY". Next was Tysabri. After 12 months my dr. stopped that as I was supposedly explaining possible PML signs & more shockingly to me was that the nurse stated the 9th patient had just died from PML,  & I think my dr. didn't wanna take any chances since I was already on it a year. Next stop: Betaseron. Well, about 6 months in I was again admitted to the hospital for another serious exacerbation. This time my lab results told them I was having a reaction to the Betaseron so they stopped that. I have now been on Copaxon for 4 months (so far so good! =)  "IF" I start experiencing an exacerbation on this, my past experience has been that they stop whatever treatment you are on because it tells them it's not the drug for you. Remember,...they don't know what causes MS & they have No Cure,  so I'm assuming the drs. have no choice but to switch you to something else. This is What My Experience Has Been. I think it is the same for ALL Of The Drugs We are On. It's frustrating I know. I have been dealing with all of this for a long time now. Always ask alot of questions & know that there are many options. As far as managing the many symptoms,....if a medication is working for you,..keep with it. If it's not,..ask the dr. about other options. Good Luck to you in your quest.   

Posted 3/12/2010 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Copaxone since last May. I had a flare last fall, and went through the IV steroids. The mri of my brain has shown the lesion has grown, I have a feeling I will be switched on my next appt. My neuro started me on Copaxone because I have a history of depression, and apparently other drugs can make that worse.
Posted 3/19/2010 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
hi all i am newly diagnosed with ms. need to get the lumber puncture done and need to start on the injections. i have a history of depression so what do you all reckon. what should i go for?
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