Oral MS drugs

[karzme]

I was wondering if anyone has heard, that the MS Society is working on oral drugs for MS?  My dr said it would still be a couple years before they will be approved. If so, is anyone taking them?? These are options for some of you. Just ask you dr if they are participating in trial of oral medication for MS. From pamphlet it looks like it's only being tested with people, who have relapsing/remitting MS. Just wanted to pass this along.  Karina

[karzme]

I'm sure we are all looking forward to the options, of oral med. Will be nice to be able to choose between a needle and a pill. Karina

[6-paq]

Thanks for your insight on the Rebif and injections.  Is Rebif a twice/week shot or every other day??

I didn't know that Rebif will be available in pill form in 2009!!  That's great!!!  :)

[6-paq]

LOL!!  Please take a number and have a seat!!  Hopefully your wait won't be too long!!  :)

[Momzilla]

Great info.  I just want my Dx so I can have all that fun!

[T-lynn]

The auto-injector isn't bad.One thing about rebif and copaxone is that it goes right under the skin,not in the muscle and they are prefilled.

Being on Rebif I have only gotten sick once and that was the other day,I usually do my shots at night,so I sleep through any side effects.

I never  was given a choice by neuro .The injections are not that bad,I just have a hard time remembering the rotation of the site.

[karzme]

I am also gonna be starting copaxone soon. Don't care to have all the bad symptoms, with the other drugs. Will have to get use to stabbing myself with a needle daily. Ugh!! I'm sorry if I sounded negative about waiting to see, if we are gonna be around for oral meds. Yesterday was not a good mood day.  Karina

[6-paq]

Yes, you are right about the interferons with an auto-injector.  

I'm choosing Copaxone since it meets my 2 criteria (1) lesser side effects and (2) has an auto-injector.  Actually, my neuro was the one who first recommended it because of it's lesser Sx.  With my family lifestyle, I can't afford to be sick with flu symptoms every couple days to once a week.   My neuro said he has a patient that's been on one of the interferons for 10 years and still has the flu Sx after every injection.

Yeah, it's still a bit of time away for the oral drugs, but I figure I can stick it out for another 2-3 years.   Don't worry ~ we'll all still be here at that time.    And just think, they may have something promising out that will actually repair at least some of the damage done soon too!

Take care!  Pat :)

[karzme]

From my understanding you can use auto-injector for rebif,betaseron I think. Feel free to correct me anyone if I'm wrong. I too am gonna do copaxone. Has less side effects and don't have to test liver or whatever body part other drugs damage. It works inside and outside of nervous system.

My neuro said oral MS drugs probably wont be approved for another 2-3 years. How lucky people diagnosed after that will be. But we are also luckier that those who didn't have option of drugs. For those diagnosed before drugs came out. I just hope we are all around to take advantage of oral MS drugs.    Karina

[T-lynn]

The injectable crabs are not that bad.I auto-inject (rebif) in the belly area and self-inject my legs.

In 2009 Rebif should be available in pill form,YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It slows the progresion or wheelchair bound.With the 2 choices,the injections became real easy.

[karzme]

Curently al MS aproved drugs are injectables. You can have someone help you, if you have that option. I don't and I REALLY hare needles. But it's stab myself or possibly end up in a wheelchair. Not a hard decision for me. Only certain drs are using oral meds. You can ask your neuro if they are one of them.   Karina

[6-paq]

Yeah, I have a very high tolerance for pain (I delivered all 4 of my kids naturally) and can tolerate any kind of testing, but I really cringe at the thought of injecting myself.

What would make it more tolerable for me is the auto-injector.  That's the ONLY way I could inject myself.  When I finally get that Dx, I've already decided on Copaxone.  It has the auto-injecter plus it has the least side effects.  It's more of a fit for my lifestyle.

Hopefully, we'll all only need the injectibles for a short period of time.  I'm fully awaiting the "pill" version of a CRAB and I really do think they're coming soon.

[Momzilla]

Is everything injectible?  Do you inject yourself?  Oy!  

Momzilla*

[6-paq]

Hi Karina,

There are tons of meds that are now in various phase trials.  I am not Dx'd yet, but just looking at the list is VERY encouraging to me and helps in letting me know that if I ever do get the Dx, that is will be "ok".

Here is a link that someone shared on another MS board.  It lists the approved treatments (CRABs) and the other meds in phase1-3 trials.  If you click on the links for the phases on the right side, you can view info on each of the meds in more detail.

http://mspipeline.wordpress.com/

Take care!  Pat :)