do any body know about rebif

[BEASCOTT]

hi the doc is thinking about switching my med from copaxone to rebif
do any body know about the good and bad about it
the side effects?
i have a couple of relapse while on treatment
thank u and have a bless day
Bea

[BOK2Bjan]

I'm glad you brought this up - but sorry for the reason.  I couldn't tolerate Copaxone and am still trying to get in to see an MS specialist to discuss my next treatment option.  My neuro suggested I see the specialist due to my having so many other diseases.  I was looking at Rebif and all the Beta interferons and I was sad to see that people also have bad site reactions with the Rebif.  I had a bad reaction to my Marcaine this week, and I'm starting to think I'm going to react badly to everything.  I use marcaine to help with pain sometimes.  I have it for my Interstitial Cystitis, but inject it once in a while if I have a nerve pain that gets bad on my left foot.  It helps.  I did my rt. hand, which is really bad from my Scleroderma, but didn't do well.  I put a picture on my profile page - and that's after the swelling and redness was DOWN!  I have to keep my hand in ice water to help the itching - like I used to my feet with erythromelalgia.  Well - I digress.  I wish you well, and I'll be interested in hearing how you do.

Blessings, Jan

[sllowe]

Hi  Bea,

Has the Dr. ordered the switch yet?

Like "young at heart" I self inject too.  It's less abrupt and goes in  very smoothly and minimizes marks.

Hope you are still with us and that these experiences help you a bit.  I know you asked me too how many times a week.  It's only 3, and you space out injections every 48 hrs and you can have (1)  72 hour stretch.  So, for example I do Mon, Wed and Friday (or Saturday).

See you back soon!

[Zacksmomi]

I have been on Rebif for 2 months and am still having relapses.  My Dr is recommending a steriod infusion which I am going to do this week.  From what he told me Copaxone takes about  6 months to start working so if after 9 months you are not getting relief then I think a switch is good.  I have been told Rebif takes 2-5 months to start working.
I can't say much about the side effects.  I have felt fatigue and heat intolerance, but Dr thinks that is from MS symptoms more so than Rebif.  
I do have really bad injection site reactions that are not at all attractive.  I am sure that is just an allergic reaction and the wonderful nurses have been working with me to try and find what works best to get rid of the reactions.
I personally use the auto injector. I like not having to see the needle.  
I think it is worth a try for you to switch.  I hope it goes well.

D

[Lulu54]

Bea,
I sure hope the switch makes a difference for you.  Its amazing how each individual's system reacts to these drugs, even though they are all pretty much equally effective at controlling MS according to the research.  

I'm glad Shell cleared it up because I also thought you were just dx'd a few months ago.  We're both out to lunch, I guess! LOL

good luck with the switch - I hope REBIF is the right answer for you.
Lulu

[young at heart]

BEA;

I HAVE BEEN ON REBIF FOR 2 PLUS YEARS , I WAS DIAGNOSED 11 YEARS AGO AND FINALLY DECIDED ON A DMD.

REBIF ,SOME HAVE HAD MINOR SIDE EFFECTS, I HAD NONE. I SELF INJECT VERSUS AUTO INJECTOR.I FOUND FOR ME IT WAS EASIER.

I HAVE HAD CHANGES OM MRI'S AND TEST; HOWEVER REBIF IS THE STRONGEST AND MANY I HAVE TALKED TO REBIF HAS SLOWED THE NUMBER OF RELAPSES.

I HAVE PROGESSIVE MS AND DOING A STUDY OF REBIF EVERY OTHER DAY, EVEN EVERY OTHER DAY I HAVE NOT HAD SIDE EFFECTS SO FAR.

THE REBIF NURSES AND THE COMPANY ARE GREAT.WHEN I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE AUTO INNJECTOR THEY TALKED ME THROUGH SELF INJECTING.

I UNDERSTAND WHY YOUR DR. WOULD VALIDATE A SWITCH.

T-LYNN

[sllowe]

Oh My BEA!

Thank you so much for the update note.  Folks - it's been 9 months for BEA on Copax.  I certainly understand why the Dr. recommends the switch.....

You get flu-like symptoms, but for me it's really not as bad as a case of the flu.  I got reminded of the "real" flu this year.

A bit achey, feverish (only early on), etc., but it fades and it comes on mildly because the dosing is titrated.  They give you about a 3rd of the med, then gradually increase it.  The needle is very thin and sharp.  Like the Copax nurses, the Rebif nurses are wonderful and walk you through each step.

Thank you for coming back to us, though I'm sorry for the complications.  Please ask anything BEA...

-shell

[sllowe]

Hi Bea!

How long you been on the Copax?  I didn't think it had been all that long.

There are differing side affects, because it's a different med. But they are bearable for the most part. I'm on Rebif, and can share my experience, but think I will pop up a few discussions on the meds since we've had some really good talks about them in the past.
So sorry to hear about the bad relapses......
ttys -
shell