DMD Users - What has, or would make you switch Meds?

[sllowe]

As our MS World turns, and we talk about the not-so-distant future of individualized medicine for MSers, i.e., identification of biomarkers (what may make one med work for us, and perhaps not the other).

Short of knowing (because it's going to be awhile) exactly what's prone to work for you, or, the "You Should Take This One" smoking gun jumping straight out of the petri dish in a lab, how did you decide to change?

For those who haven't changed and currently on a traditional (CRAB), what would make you jump ship off of a an injectable? And, if you've already gone oral, or infusion, what made you decide? Was it DMD failure? Was it side affects? Curiosity? Progression?

All of these things we are suppose to consider when making a decision, but since we are all family here, in the end, we all have our own personal reasons. If you feel like sharing, would be interested in hearing the rationale.

For me, I'm still on Rebif - I do believe it's working. But, I do get sick of the schedule. Honestly, I do fancy the thought of switching one day for lifestyle convenience. But, would that choice affect my health? Rebif/interferon very well may be "the" smoking gun that's kept me from progressing.

Have thought of this from time-to-time, and figured it's something I'd personally not consider for years to come, but the more I learn about future meds and MS, the more I realize the future is not so far away.

Care to share? .

[kwarendorf]

I skipped CRABs and went straight to Tysabri infusions. I'll have my 6th on Sunday. My recent MRI's showed no new "progress" of my MS and this confirms the lack of relapses and symptoms since I started Tysabri.

I like the relative convenience of once a month infusions rather than daily/weekly injections. I think it's still too early to know whether Tysabri is working it's magic, or my MS is in a naturally dormant phase. The only thing that would be tempting would be BG12. If it does the same thing, taking a pill would be even easier than monthly infusions.

Kyle

[opie74]

I changed to Gilenya.  I had been on Betaseron for 1 year.  During that year, I had the relapses that required steroid infusions.  My Dr. thought that this was too many.  I got off the Betaseron at the 1 year mark to try to conceive my 3rd child.  After she was born, I started taking Gilenya.  I have two different Dr.'s that I see for my MS.  I like always haveing a second opinion.  they both agreed that I shcould change.  In the year for Dx to pregnancy, I had developed too many new Sx and lesions during those 3 relapses.  

I have notice that on Gilenya I have less replases, but more often have mild Sx.  I do like taking a pill instead of the injectable.  I don't have the flue-like symptoms and such that I did on Betaseron.  I am not sure that I would have made the change except that my life change (3rd child) and the realization that Betya was not really working came at the exact time that Gilenya hit the market.