avonex or rebif ?

[Ufrustrated2]

looks like in a year i've run the course of copaxone. that is, it isn't helping as much as thought it should be. i have more bad days than good.

so, i've been suggested to try avonex or rebif for now.

any thoughts on either? pros/cons ?

[sllowe]

U!  You, you are good, and funny!

Dive right in! I'm on Rebif too - been told it's the stronger of the two. And, the titration makes the side affects less. You can sleep through them if taken at night.  

Hope it serves you right,
ttys,
Shell

[Ufrustrated2]

all the heck with it, i'm going with rebif. at this stage what the heck. if it doesn't work i'll try something else. LOL

thanks gals, el preciato

[Ufrustrated2]

the avonex & rebif are the same medicine i see, just a different dose.

is it that common that people feel the ups/downs on the once a week avonex?

[Ufrustrated2]

i think i heard him say rebif when i asked for his opinion. i'm going to put the question out this week at my ms group.

yes, i'm comfortable jumping to a new one, sure. apprehensive? sure, but not in that i need to switch meds. apprehensive in the scenarios that play in my head regarding the years of BS from the VA, the fight to get a dx for proper treatment, and then, looks like copaxone isn't working.

but, most in my ms group have had to switch and experiment. kinda the nature of ms i guess.

i'm leaning towards rebif, i'll make my decision after the next group.

many thanks!

[Ufrustrated2]

yes, it was the va neuro recently that mentioned rebif or avonex and suggested strongly i go with one of them versus the copaxone. this guy typically minimizes any symptom i have(my impression).

can't talk to a nurse there until doc Rx's something. i don't even want to discuss that office.

[sllowe]

Hey there,

I too am sorry to hear it's not helping. My thoughts are that if it were me, and lesions were increasing I'd ask the doc which one he thinks is strongest at this point. You may have to try a couple in hopes you will respond to one or the other.

I'm on Rebif, and I've not any increase in lesions if that's any consolation. But, as we know, what works for one may not work the same for another.

Are you comfortable jumping in to a new? Or, are you feeling apprehensive?

ttys,
Shell

[Lulu54]

That is too bad - I was hoping after your long wait you would have good luck with the first one and being able to stick with it.

It is in the back of my head that I heard a doctor put Avonex as the less potent of the interferons, but I may be wrong.  If that is true, I think I would step up to Rebif.  

Did your doctor offer any ideas or can you schedule an appt with the MS nurses and discuss it further?

good luck,
Lulu