Rebif dosage question

[doublevision1]

I mentioned earlier today that I started on Rebif this week.  Started on 8.8 mcg for 2 weeks; then 22 mcg for 5 weeks; then up to a full dosage of 44 mcg.  My MS specialist did not discuss the reason for working up to 44 mcg; I just figured this was standard, and the more medicine I can get (assuming I can handle the side effects at the high dosage), the better.

HOWEVER, I just happened to read, on a government health website, the following:

"The recommended dose of Rebif® for relapsing-remitting forms of multiple sclerosis is 6 IU (22 µg) injected under the skin three times per week. People with a higher degree of disability may need doses of 12 IU (44 µg) injected under the skin three times per week."

"People with a higher degree of disability"....?  I did not know this was me!  Sure, I've had double vision for the past 5 months (which is slowly improving); but otherwise am doing pretty well.  I was just dx'ed 5 months ago.  My MRI showed 2 lesions, and my LP was at the upper limit of normal.  Does this sound like a "higher degree of disability"?

Hmmmm, I wonder if my physician knows something he isn't telling me?  I'll be sure to ask him at my next vist in April.

For those of you on Rebif, are you on 22 mcg or 44 mcg?  And as far as you know, does your dosage correlate to your degree of disability?

Thanks!

db1

[Cosmobirdy]

Hi...

I just got the call from the pharmacy about starting the Rebif.  It should arrive at my door Wed. - I think I'd rather get a box from Sephora, lol.  They said it will be 8.8 for 2 wks, 22 for 2 wks, and then by the 2nd month I'll be all ramped up.  They referred to the first month as the "titration package."  Now I just have to hear from the nurse to arrange her first visit.  that's all I know... :)

Rita

[sllowe]

INTERESTING, I DID NOT READ THIS INFO FROM THE FDA ABOUT THE DOSING. THOUGHT AS "T" SAYS THAT IT'S STANDARD TO WORK TOWARD THE 44's.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT THOUGH, AS WEIGHT DOES AFFECT MEDS, AND IF REBIF IS ONE OF THEM, YOU'D THINK IT WOULD BE MORE KNOWN.  LEAVING ME TO THINK IT'S NOT AN ISSUE.

I WAS PRESCRIBED THE 44's (TITRATION PACK 1ST) AND AM THIN ALSO. . ..HMMM SEEMS THIS IS JUST SOMETHING TO FIND OUT MORE INFO ABOUT.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU DB1 WITH YOUR DOSING, THE SIDE AFFECTS DID GO AWAY FOR ME AFTER THE 1ST FEW MONTHS. . ..

BE WELL,
SL

[young at heart]

I STARTED OUT WITH 8 MCGS FOR 2 WEEKS,THEN 22MCGS FOR 2 WEEKS AND HAVE BEEN ON 44MCGS FOR THE PAST 10 MONTHS.

SOME TAKE 22MCGS,BUT IT SEEMS THE STANDARD IS 44MCGS.

THE DISEASE MODIFYING MEDS ARE TO KEEP A PERSON AT A RRMS FOR AS LONG AS THEY CAN.

I HAVE SPMS AND REBIF IS NOT APPROVED FOR IT,BUT REBIF HAS KEPT THE LESION LOAD AND ATROPHY FROM PROGRESSING,SO MY SPECIALIST MUST KNOW SOMETHING.

I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT 22MCGS,JUST THE 44MCGS. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT 44MCGS WAS PRESCRIBED FOR HIGHER DISABILITIES.I THOUGHT IT WAS STANDARD.

A FRIEND OF MINE IS ON REBIF AND SHE'S VERY THIN ,UNDER A 100 POUNDS AND SHE'S ONLY ON 22MCGS.NOT OUR NEURO'S RECOMMENDATION,SHE SAYS NOT ALL MEDICINE IS ONE SIZE FITS ALL..

SHE SAID US THAT ARE THIN ARE GETTING THE SAME DOSE AS A 300 LB MAN DON'T MAKE SENSE.MAYBE AT MY WEIGHT AT 119 THE REBIF IS DOING ITS JOB.

I THINK I JUST RAMBLED,IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL YOUR NEURO.

T