New oral meds

[opie74]

My Dr. wants me to start the new oral meds after the baby is born.  I was on Betaseron for one year before we conceived. In that year, I had three relapses that required steroids.  He said that ment that the Betaseron was not effective.  One of the relapses really does not caount against the treatment because it was the 10th week of the treatment.  I guess I am ok with trying the new meds.

What do you all think?  Would you try it?  Do you think that it is a good idea?  He said that he would let me think about it.  I need to figure it out soon so that I can get teh copay assistance started by the time that I have the baby.

Thanks!
Ann

[sllowe]

Hi Opie,

Hope your pregnancy is going well. When are you due?

Hoping some responses below will help you with your thoughts.

     http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Gilenya-fingolimod/show/1374357

My thoughts are that I'm not fully comfortable w/making a change in course for myself personally at this point. Maybe it's the track record COBOB mentions or the side affects. I hate to even say that because not everyone experiences those chance side affects and as you know I encourage those here on the forum to try and see. But, for me I'm still up in the air about it all. I can be a worrier too. So, I feel for you and what your going through.

If you chose to stay the course, is the doc fine with that?

-Shell

[opie74]

Thanks Bob.  I asked about teh immune system supression and he acted like it should not be a problem, but that is the very thing that has me worried.  

[COBOB]

The CRABs have lots of data on there effectiveness and safety long term.   I'm not sure the same can be said of Gilenya.  I'm also not sure how well it will protect you around a child.  Kids are little disease factories and they get infections that adults should never be near (like Haemophilus influenzae. )  I'm not sure WBC sequestration is good thing is that environment.  Quix might have a comment.  I think I'd be cautious. If Betaseron was ineffective, I think I'd try Copaxone before I'd try Gilenya.

That's just my opinion.

Bob