You can be inundated with 65% versus 59% versus other statistics. Beta 1b, the Beta 1a's (rebif and avonex), and COP II (copaxone) all seem to be about the same effectiveness. Beta 1b got approved first (betaseron), and there was general surprise in the MS community at the time as it wasn't really the most promising drug during the trials.

Choose what's most comfortable for you.

A recent study - 62% of people with MS visiting neurologists and 92% visiting general practitioners or internists were not taking these drugs. This was a NAMCS survey. I don't know - they didn't ask me. Maybe they asked my doctor. I'm in the 92% category.

I've had MS for over 21 years. I'm still fully ambulatory. I drew something like 27,000 in the lottery when beta first got approved and was told there would be a 15 month wait. That's when I decided no shots for me.

One promising researcher in the late 80's/early 90's was Dr. Ted Yednock's work on monoclonal antibodies. His initials - T.Y. Think TYsabri.

Tom