Copaxone/Avonex

Posted By  CCF NeuroMD/MRR on March 25, 1998 at 16:43:41:

In Reply to: Copaxone/Avonex posted by Linda on March 19, 1998 at 23:59:28:

: I'm 47 and have just been diagnosed with "benign" MS.  The exacerbation leading to this diagnosis was only the second in 11 years -- the first being a numb half face, this one being nystagmus, pins and needles in the face, a wave of pins and needles that also included lack of control of right hand and slurring of speech for about 30-60 seconds. All that's pretty much gone away but I seem to have permanent tingling around my eye, and I am kind of mixing up words now and then.  Anyway, the neurologist says I am benign enough that taking Copaxone or Avonex etc. would be a waste of money, it might be another 11 years before I'm really bothered again. But then I read that Copaxone is for "early stages" of relapsing remitting MS... and if I wait until the next attack, I fear that I will no longer be in "early stages," or that one of the symptions that has gone away this time will come back and stay (if that slurring speech thing returns I'm out of a job -- I have to do presentations in my job!) So I guess the question is: do other neurologists have an opinion about advisability of a "benign" person going on one of these drugs and possibly staving off future disability? What is your experience with patients on these drugs?

[CCF neuro MD/MRR]

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Dear Linda,
That is a very intelligent concern.  The latest finding is that there is nerve damage even in benign or mild cases or MS.
The predictors of future problems are the brain MRI, if there is any gad enhancement or contrast in the lesions demonstrating that they are active.  The other predictor is your CSF or spinal fluid, if it
is active then it may be worth going on Avonex or Copaxone.  There is more data on the Avonex so that one is the one I recommend meaing they have proven ot show benfit in reducing the MRI lesions in MS with Avonex but the
data regarding Copaxone and MRI is not out yet so the Avonex is first as of now.  
I owuld make sure you have an up to date brain MRI nad CSF exam to help determine your future risks
of disability.  A Neurologist that specializes in MS is the a good resopurce for you so try to find one in your area.  Good Luck!