Hi everyone, I'm Carisa. I was just officially diagnosed last week, but have been trying to figure it all out for the last 5 months. It started with weakness and tingling in my hands, and I finally had an MRI and spinal tap in early April. They're telling me that I have about 30 lesions in my brain but none in my spinal cord and no "bands" in my spinal fluid. Because I've had two "CIS" episodes, they've given me a diagnosis of RRMS. Now my neuro is wanting me to get on the disease modifying drugs, but hasn't provided much guidance as far as the differences between the drugs. Basically, he handed me armloads of drug company generated binders and told me to do my own research. (I know - I'm currently looking for a new neuro.) So, after doing all my own research, I'm finding myself waffling between Avonex and Copaxone. But, I can't seem to tell if there is a big difference between the effectiveness of the two drugs... it seems to me that if they're both just as effective (around 30%), I'd rather take the one that doesn't make me sick. Does anyone have any insight for me? Thank you!!!!
p.s. I'm so glad to have found a place to talk to others with MS!