Pros and cons to using Rebif

[theo437]

My question is how goos is rebif for treating MS.Does the side effects out weigh the help it can provide

[sllowe]

Hi Theo,

When were you dx'd? And, how you feeling?

Thanks for joining us. As with all meds, like you say we do have to weigh pros w/cons unfortunately. What'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.  The needle is very thin and injection is sub-q.

Most neuros don't recommend one over the other and have you choose yourself. If this is the case for you too, biggest thing to remember is that in the end they show fairly equal benefits.

Please consider injection schedules. If you are the type of person to not commit to daily injections then one of the others may be good for you.  

I'm very glad you asked this question. I asked lots here too and all the advice was so useful. I'll bump up a DMD user post for you so you can peek at who's on what.

Don't hesitate to ask anything. It's important to make an informed decision so you can start treatment!

-Shell

[essdipity]

Hi, Theo.

If you are diagnosed with RRMS, then taking one of the 4 injectable disease modifying drugs is highly recommended. There are no guarantees, but science has shown that statistically, those on one of these drugs do better in terms of relapses. For me, that's the most important consideration.

Rebif is one of these drugs. That is in the interferon class, and usually carries some side effects, mainly flu-like reactions. These can be managed by pre-medicating with an ibuprofen type of med, something over the counter. And not everyone even needs that.

Please read up on all this, using sites like the National MS Society, where the info will be helpful and accurate. Our forum's Health Pages (see upper right) are also a great source of MS help.

Feel free to ask questions here. We'll do our best for you.

ess

[tonyad]

  Hello and Welcome to the Forum :)

   Is that what your Neuro is wanting you to take?   Perhaps you could do some reading on Rebif as well as the other DMD's  and then you can make a well informed decision that is right for You.  

   Again, Welcome to the Forum.
Take Care,
~Tonya