Copaxone or Rebif?

[Valagnar]

Hello!  I've just been diagnosed with MS and am wondering which drug is better.  I've read the material for Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron.  I've narrowed it down to two -- Rebif or Copaxone based mainly on side effects.  Which drug is the best?

[Valagnar]

Well, it does sound like Copaxone is the better of the two drugs in the side effects department.  I don't mind shots everyday with a little skin irritation verses multiple symptoms affecting my mental and physical well-being.  I have an appointment with my neurologist June 27th.  I believe he thinks the best meds are Rebif and Betaseron.  Anyway, I hope he puts me on Copaxone.

Thanks for the input and best of wishes to you, too,
Matt

[Deb61]

I know what you mean . . . It is sooooooo hard to decide which one of the MS drugs to take.  I read and read others experience about the medications.  I also read the literature that was given to me by my doctor.  I even asked him what he thought I should take.  He literally just told me that it was my decision--which didn't help.  

I did have the advantage of talking with my sister who was on Rebif at the time.  I knew about the side effects of medication.  I also knew someone with MS that took Avonex.  I didn't know anything about about Copaxone, though.  I read everything on this board and even other boards about people's experiences that I could get my hands on.  

What finally changed my mind was actually reading the medical literature given to me by my doctor.  I read in there something about the thyroid and the effects of particular medicine on the thyroid and made my decision.  I've not regretted the decision I made, so I'm glad I did so much research.

Best of wishes,
Deb

[Lulu54]

Which do you like better.... Pepsi or Coke?  That is the type of question you are asking here.  They are all pretty much the same with their efficacy.  A tool I like to walk you through the differences is on a website in the UK -

http://www.msdecisions.org.uk/

If you take the time to work through this site you will be a better idea of the differences of these two choices.

good luck,
Lulu

[Mike_Shuswap]

I'm not sure which is better, I think it depends on the person taking them. I've been using Rebif for just over 10 months now. The side effects slowly got less and less, and now as long as I take a couple Tytenol extra stength before injecting, I usually don't notice any side effects.

I had an MRI a couple months ago that showed no changes from the one done a year previously.

No matter which DMD you choose, the important thing is you're ARE choosing one. It's great you're taking a proactive approach to managing your MS.

Good luck

Mike