update: my experience with rebif and depression

[rothexl]

hi all,

i just thought it may be helpful for some if i shared my experience with rebif regarding depression as a side effect in someone vulnerable to depression. i have seen a previous post about rebif which goes in that direction although in this case (sunny..-your post) it may not be due to the rebif of course.

so here goes:

background: i have had at least 4 episodes of major depression in the last 10 years and shorter depressive phases in between and have been diagnosed with ms this february 2010 (due to a chance mri finding).

first i was started on avonex and 4 days after the first shot started having bouts of severe suicidal depression, so i was told to stop immediately.

then i was started on rebif going up gradually, week 1 on 1/4 of the full (44 microgr) dose, then increasing by 1/4 every week until full dose.

the first two weeks were fine, then at the end of week 3 (3/4 dose) i started feeling sort of a bit down and flat,

after the second shot with the full dose i started feeling severely depressed most of the time and also had intermittent extreme phases (1 to 2 hours) of severe suicidal thoughts i could not control anymore.

at that stage i stopped altogether and continued to be severely depressed for another 4-5 weeks.

then i suddenly started to have mornings with normal mood again and have now had 5 full days of feeling normal again, it's like coming back to life again.

i thought this might be important for everyone with a history of depression- especially the fact that, in my case, the depression caused by the rebif lasted for over a month after i had completely stopped with rebif. it's possible that this reaction isn't common as my doctor didn't seem to believe it could be the rebif anymore whereas i could tell it was a very different kind of depression compared to my previous depressive episodes, especially the very strong persistant suicidal thoughts.

now that i got back to normal just as quickly as it has started without anything else having changed (i.e., any life circumstance, no increased antidepressants, symptoms haven't stopped either) i am convinced this terrible period of depression that may in the end even lead to me losing my job, was solely due to the effect of rebif. and i found it remarkable that it took almost 5 weeks for it to get out of my system.

i am quite certain rebif was the only reason as
i have been living-and functioning for many months before with the pending and then confirmed diagnosis and an acute relapse and ongoing symptoms for the last 4 months. even when the relapse had just started and i had really scary symptoms for the first time ever i was still able to go to work full time and keep going with my life as much as the fatigue would allow me, of course- and now my situation also hasn't changed and i may even be facing losing my job after 6 weeks of unpaid sick leave i have had to take due to the depression- not to even mention the bad financial situation i am in because of this- and still, i feel "normal" now, definitely not depressed anymore.

i have changed to another neuro, a dedicated ms specialist, now who advised me to stay off everything for another 4-6 weeks and then get started on copaxone.

i have posted questions about this several times before- and want to thank everyone who supported me and gave me good advice- and all of you, especially quix who was really surprised i was started on interferons in the first place: you are so right and i had to realize my neuro just really made a big mistake, and i have now made the decision and changed to another neuro who is completely focused on ms treatment and research only. i'm convinced now that this whole ordeal could have been prevented.

so anyone who is experiencing similar problems- or has a history of depression- i'm hoping this update can maybe help you with making the best decisions for yourself.

take care all of you

rike

[rothexl]

Thanks Julie and Tonya for your replies- and the good wishes :) Can sure use them- and will update you how I go with the Copaxone, too.

Glad for anyone who can have some benefit of my story so far,

take care, too

Rike

[tonyad]

  Thanks for sharing this information and how these meds can in fact have a negative effect on those w/ past depression. This is not to be taken lightly!

   Good Luck on the Copaxone which is probably what you should have been prescribed to begin with.  I am glad that you are feeling better :)
Take Care and keep us updated on how you are doing w/ the Copaxone.
~Tonya

[Sarahsmom46]

Sharing your experience is very valuable and we all appreciate your taking the time to do so.  We all have different reactions to the meds, but it is good to know what the possibilities are when we start something new.  

I may be facing starting a new DMD and believe me, I truly appreciate hearing about these experiences.

Julie