If the ABC-R's all have the basic same rate of effectiveness, why would anyone choose anything other then Avonex?
Once a week injection.....that offers the same protection?

Reports I read, say that the DMD's that came out in the 1990's have really worked to slow the progression and reduce relaspes. How do they get this information?? First, all is theory that we know about MS. AND the number of people that I continue to read about, leads me to believe that these meds do not work as the research would lead us to believe.

I am allergic to many medications. I had reactions to Tysabri, and Gilenya. Now my neuro wants me to consider Avonex or Copaxone. He said no to the other DMD's because of my allergic reactions.

I just wish there was HONEST research if these drugs help. I really don't want to take them, but getting worse and feeling pressured to try another one??

HELP!!

I wouldn't take Avonex because it's an intra-muscular shot and the others are subcutaneous. I know myself and I could not have done the IM shot.

Some folks do well on the DMD's. Some don't. That's just the nature of the beast. We're all different and each of us responds differently to meds. Those that have benefited from the DMD's are fortunate.

Don't let anyone bully or pressure you into taking something you don't want to. If you want to give a particular med a chance to see if it will help you that's understandable. But if you have bad side effects or see that the med isn't helping then don't feel guilty for discontinuing it's use. Neuro's are just as frustrated as those of us with MS are. We look to them for a solution and there just isn't one. At least not one that benefits everyone.

Have you tried LDN? It's helped my MS symptoms greatly and has none of the side effects of the traditional DMD's. You might want to give it a chance.

Since they are basically all we have and have been shown to prolong progression somewhat in some people in reputable trials I'm a big advocate of at least trying.

The reasons I picked Copaxone include the decreased chance for depression, flu-like symptoms and liver issues but please note that not that everyone on the interferons have any of those side effects. I figured I would start with Copaxone and could always try another if it wasn't tolerable or I was progressing fast. The daily injections weren't a concern for me.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

If your allergies, keep you from using Rebif or Beta, then you won't be able to do Avonex either. They are all interferons.

Copaxon may be worth a try, if you so choose, but don't let anyone guilt you into it.

Good luck with whatever you choose..

Rule of thumb: all doctors want you on a dmd once you diagnosed with ms. They do not understand how the side effects feel.Personally, Iwould like my neuro to take just one dose of each of these and then decide if she will ever prescribe them again. If you are allergic to rebif I would ask the doctor what he is thinking in recommending Avonex which is the same medication but in a different and higher dose. Personally, copaxone caused my ms to go crazy and I grew 16 new lesions in the short time I was on it. And thn I switched to Avonex which made me sick as a dog, then i began to have allergic reactions to it so the doc pulled the plug and refused to let me try rebif.

So it's tysabri now which makes me sick for 2 weeks out of the month but the only thing that has slowed the progression of this disease.

That was my thought when I started back in 1997. As an overweight RN I knew I would have no problems with an IM, either the size of the needle or getting the correct depth. I have been on Avonex since about May 1997.

I vaguely recalled reading a similar question/concern about a month ago on the board, so I did some research, hoping to put you in touch with the other person who posted who appeared to be struggling with the same issue. A few clicks later, I discovered that the posts I recalled reading were yours!

My thoughts about that are for you to go inside yourself for the answer that is right for you!

It is a serious and potentially life altering decision and you want to feel good and right about it.
good luck

I thought the same thing when I was first diagnosed. Why would anyone want to inject more than once a week? I tried Avonex, but was only able to stay on it for about 6 weeks. It made my liver enzymes go up 3x what they were supposed to be. The only thing I can take now is Copaxone bc all of the others (besides Ty) are interferons, which can also send the liver enzymes up.

Sometimes I wish I were not on interferons. I am limited in my treatment for my awful psoriasis because of the interferons.

I am a true Avonex veteran, been on it over fifteen years (since June 96). I had several exacerbations prior to starting Avonex. The latter one landed me in the hospital and on steroids.
Had some Avonex side effects early-on but they soon went away. More importantly I have remained stable with no attacks since on the drug.
Now I self-inject weekly and its little more than a minor inconvenience.
I know some can't tolerate Avonex , but for me its been a godsend.
I fully expect to be on it indefinitely, probably for the rest of my life. But that's OK with me and far better than the alternative!