Like Dej and the others, I didn't just wake up and say, "Hey, I'm not doing my shots anymore." It has more to do with insurance changes as well as getting a new neurologist that takes my insurance (Medicare advantage plan) and is closer to my home. My prescription ran out and hence, I haven't been doing my shots. Since I no longer have C in my system, I notice some differences in how I feel. Do I still have MS symptoms? Of course. Do I still have crappy days? Absolutely. But I don't have a "weird" feeling anymore that I can only contribute to the C. I ran out at the end of December - of course right in the middle of a major flare.

Anyhow, I am now considering trying LDN and even more so since Sally posted the thread about the promising study that was done on LDN and some of the results. Plus, I like the idea of not doing a shot everyday.

So, my not doing any of the CRABs came about a little different than some others. We each have to make our own decision.

I will say that if every time I did a shot and felt horrible afterward like you and many others, I know I would not be compliant. I think that makes a difference as well. I know myself and know that if something makes me feel horrible, I'm less likely to try it again. I may give it a few days or a week or so depending how bad it makes me feel. So, what ever you decide, make sure you are going to be compliant with it. Discuss that with your family and let them know the compliance issues you may encounter and see what suggestions they have.

Good luck! In the end, you will make the best decision for you.

I'm sorry your family is being so difficult. Being mad at someone who is obviously having a difficult time with their treatment is not really being very supportive. It was easier for me to make the decision and then the change because I really didn't have to "please" anyone but myself. I did tell my sons what I was doing but they said they backed me up whatever course I chose.

For those who seem to know more than you do about your current treatment (Rebif) I'd ask them specific questions about the medication. Chances are they won't be able to answer you. Then, I'd tell them the answer and ask them to please be more informed about something they are pushing hard for you to continue that obviously isn't compatible with your body.

It might take a while for others to come to terms with your decision but you're the only one who has to live in your body.

I have not replied to this thread but have been reading all of the responses and considering your situation. I am not on any of the dmd right now, but I am considering gylenia. I have been on betaseron, copaxone, and tysabri. I was not able to tolerate any of them - allergic reactions, antibodies, etc.

That being said, I think you really need to personally talk with your neuro about the difficulties you are having with rebif and take someone with you (maybe your best friend) who is supportive and understands/sees the problems you are having. Have you tried any of the treatments other than rebif? If not, perhaps you should consider them before making the decision to go drug free. I do think your age is one factor that should be taken into consideration. I think that deciding to go drug free when one is in their late forties/fifties and after trying a number of other treatments may make more sense than making this decision at this stage in your life.

That being said, I agree with Kelly that ultimately this is your decision and your body.

Thank you tkirk, kitty, and barb!

I know my age is a huge concern especially with having so many issues to start off with..

I might consider Copaxone. I just talked with someone that has been on it for 5 years now and when I asked what side effects she experiences she laughed and said zero. Said that the medicine itself doesn't hurt and the dents don't matter to her.

Which if it came down to not being able to walk and with no dents in my body, or walking for a long long time with dents, I'd take the dents. I'm just sick of being sick. ESPECIALLY when I feel good all day, take my shot, then feel sick for the rest of it, because that just doesn't make sense.

So I might talk to my neuro about switching to Copaxone. Turns out she goes to the same neuro, when I asked her how she feels about him she was silent with a smirk on her face. So it does make me feel a lil better that its not just me that gets neglected. She doesn't care for him and his nurses as well.

I will admit, that after having a convo with her, I was sad. Just because she's had the disease 14 years longer than I have, and I have experienced all of what she has, but she hasn't experienced a fourth of what I have, she's able to work 40 hrs, and walk without assistance, and it just made me kind of sad, because it makes me wonder, if my MS is this aggressive with me at this age and I have progressed so much in the two years of being diagnosed, what is life going to be like when I'm 40.

I told her about not taking Rebif anymore and doing the healthy diet with vitamins, she said her friend has chose to take that approach and is doing well so far with it. So there is HOPE! YES!!!

My brain is feeling extremely gross today.
It's very foggy and electrical.
It literally feels like my brain is nauseous.

Is Rebif already exiting my body? or is this Rebif withdrawal?

whatever it is, I'm not liking it ...

I'm not laughing..tehe..but, i was wondering what happens when your brain throws up..

I know....MS, that's what!!!

You remember those anti-drug commercials?

ya know.. the "this is your brain on drugs" commercials?

This is my brain on MS ....

You are a young woman. I have two sons in their 20s. I would go through hell and high water to make sure they treated with DMD's if they were DXed with MS. I have one relative who declined treatments and she is not faring well at all. This is one forum and you need to look closely at the opinions and advice you receive.

I firmly believe that Dr. Mercola is a carnival barker type of doctor playing on patient's fear of conventional medicine, this after many years of research after being diagnosed.

I take Copaxone, the least toxic of all of the DMD's, and I am very careful about my health too. I am 53 years old and still working full time and walking, etc... I attribute a lot of that to my extreme health consciousness over the past three decades but when I was DXed with MS I was very anxious to begin treatment, especially considering the health of my close relative with MS.

I'm thankful that we have treatments now. Please reconsider and at least apply for help from Shared Solutions to get Copaxone on a program for uninsured. You are worth it.

Thank you ewizabeth!

I will definitely reconsider.

I have been thinking about it (Copaxone) the past two days.

I think I am going to make an appt with my neuro and talk to HIM instead of his loopy nurses.

I was considering switching neuros but they all work together here in my town, so I feel that will screw me over to switch.

So maybe if I talk to my doc and tell him how I truly feel about Rebif, we can find some middle ground.

I don't want to continue putting toxins in my body, but I am rather young and that does concern me. I've got decades ahead of me with this disease and I do not want it going completely haywire on me this early in life, for that will make everyday living even more difficult than it already is.

I haven't taken any of this weeks Rebif and I'm going to be honest with you.. I feel pretty good. I'm in a flare right now, so I can't feel my hands, right leg, right side abdomen, and having to walk very slow and make sure I pay very close attention to each step, but my overall health is good, I don't feel the 'toxic crappy' feeling like when I take the Rebif, So I just feel that this is my body telling me thanks for not putting that toxicity in me!

You have to do what you truly believe is the right thing for you. Only you can decide that.

I would definitely speak to my Neuro and get his advice. Ultimately, you're the one who's going to be taking the meds. He can only advise you of the pros and cons.

I hope you're one of the lucky ones who can tolerate Copaxone. I couldn't. That's why I chose the route I'm taking. But I tried all the conventional treatments before I said "no more".

You're in my prayers, AynaDee. I know it's a difficult decision and not one that's made lightly or in a rush. Whatever you decide we'll be behind you.

And I appreciate that SO MUCH Kitty!

I have a feeling that I am going to have issues on Copaxone as well. I just have that stupid sensitive body type

But it wouldn't be fair if I didn't TRY the least toxic DMD before I say no more would it?

I just want to be normal again, and I guess my way of thinking is... I'm going to have this disease forever, and it's going to make me feel abnormal quite frequently, so why add drugs to make me even more abnormal? PLUS I feel that the drugs make my MS really angry, and sometimes I can't tell if the symptom I am experiencing is MS, drugs, or MS acting up BECAUSE of the drugs.

such a confusing process this all is, understanding what I am putting into my body and what it is doing to me, and what direction do I go from here.

I feel like I am on a road, and I just got to the fork, now, what path do I take?

I feel like the path to my left (which is the path to stay on a DMD) is dark. and the path to my right (which is off of DMD) is lit.

But then what if the path that's lit is misleading and once I get halfway down the lit path it turns black.

ha!
THIS IS A GAME OF TRICKERY!

I figured it out!