You've never had a relapse? I wish my MS would behave like that. Every time I turn around, Whap! the MS is smacking me around. (Bad MS! BAD!)

It's weird how one person's MS hardly ever bugs them, and another person gets something new from their MS every few months.

Vi and I talk about that all the time. One person can drag a leg and the next will go blind, while the 3rd one has an itchy...um...bum bum..hehe. MS is like a fingerprint, no two are the same. No wonder the MDs stand around scratching themselves trying to figure us out.

Vi is also being quite kind. MS has most definatly affected her life, and she has struggled with it, but she considers herself blessed to ride the rails without too many ups or downs in the road. She amazes me with how much she has been able to get done. She thinks nothing of jumpin in her truck and driving from Alabama to New HAmpshire. I simply cant do that anymore.

If I didn't have insurance I wouldn't afford these meds. Between the Copaxone and Nuvigil, they cost more than I make in gross pay per year. I sometimes wonder if my employer is aware of the amount of my RX claims or if that is kept under wraps since it is such a large company. I work my tail off so they won't think of me as a burden.

That number for Tysabri is what Biogen tells us was the reduced "risk" for relapses/progression over placebo from their trials. Just recently, they quoted numbers from a two year study which showed a 37% reduced relapse/progression rate as compared to 7% for placebo, thus giving an approx 30% improvement. That put's it right in the CRAB category. While the cost for the drug is similar to the CRABs, the infusion charges on top of that make it by far the most expensive medication choice for MS patients.


Harry

I have a hard time believing the stats the drug companies quote to us. I also have a hard time believing anything the drug companies tell us. They're in it for the money. That's it. They know how the insurance industry works and how to make the most money from it. I know most of them have "assistance" programs for those of us without insurance and who are on a fixed income but they make up for it ten fold with the prices they charge those who do have coverage. They aren't hurtin'......

RW,

I just don't believe these stats anymore since I've tried four of these meds. I had relapses on Avonex, Rebif gave me very weird side effects abd symptoms, Tysabri made me feel worse. Copaxone is the only one that has totally stopped my relapses and allowed me to actually improve.

And I know others who have other similar stories but for a different med that works better for them. The main thing is to find the one that works for you, period. The stats really don't mean anything, imo.

I'm glad that Tysabri works so well for you though,

Prednisone didn't work for me, methniprednisone (sp) didn't work for me. The other meds weren't out then except for the CRAP meds. ACTH (ACTHAR shots) were tried. They made me feel 100% better and lifted the acute MS attack.

ACTH doesn't slow MS but does lift the attack. To me, they work so much better than these newer drugs with all their side effects. Before ACTH became expensive, I would get a 7 day supply for $45 through NORDS.