Hey everyone!

I stopped taking Rebif in May. The first two weeks off of Rebif was horrible, I was definitely having withdrawals. I would get the flu like symptoms and a fever everyday. It was like I was injecting Rebif everyday for two weeks.

I am going on my 6th month of not having a DMD. I don't have 3 guaranteed sick days a week. I have been feeling the best I have since I was diagnosed. I have also noticed my symptoms are not as irritated from the Rebif. So instead of having a pain level of 7-10 everyday I am at a 3-5 everyday. My muscle spasms haven't even been as dominant.

I have also cut red meat out of my diet. It's amazing to see how much that is helping as well.

I am trying to get adapted to the Swank diet, but haven't been as successful. I am hoping to eliminate yeast, dairy, and eggs out of my diet by the end of this year.

I still have my numbness in feet/hands, but its not the painful numb, so I can deal with that. I still am unable to work 30-40 hours a week, but have found a delivery job that I love.

I just had my hearing for SSI today. I was nervous before arriving, but the judge seemed to have some compassion, he was taking notes on every symptom/problem I have with work. I have a good feeling about that. Now I just have to wait it out.

My neurologist still is unaware of me stopping Rebif, but I still know in my heart that this is the right move. My injection sites look much better, but it's like I can still where I used to inject that horrible drug, it still hurts to rub those areas.

I did experience bowel dysfunction at work the other day.
Luckily I was wearing baggy pants, it was still mortifying. I pray that will never happen again, but so far it has happened twice.

I noticed in the shower today that it looks like I am missing a chunk of muscle in my left upper thigh... not sure what that is.. but theres a huge dent in that area. It doesn't hurt, just grosses me out.
Is that my muscle atrophying?
I would certainly hope not.

Sorry it has been so long since I have been on the forum. After I stopped taking Rebif, I felt like I am getting some of my life back. It's like the sun came out from the black rainy skies!

Hi Aynadee, nice to have you back. Obviously you made the right decision in stopping Rebif and congrats on feeling better.

I'm sorry about the fact that you still have MS with all it's nasty sx, especially the bowel misfuntion. Been there done that .

There are other DMDs you could try, but I understand wanting to be free of the side effects of them, especially, it they aren't working. The big dent in your leg could have been caused by the shots. I hope it goes away.

LDN might be something for you to try.

So gad you're feeling better. Diet plays a huge role in how we feel - with or without MS. It might take a while to notice any really big difference but you can rest assured that a good diet will benefit you no matter what. Give it some time. MS isn't going to go away but you don't have to be miserable and/or let it rule your entire life.

i'm very glad that you're doing better. sometimes stopping meds is a good idea. the indentation sounds like it might be from injecting if you were in that area.

don't be afraid to tell your dr. it's your decision and you know what's right for you. i hope you con't to do well.

I've been DMD free for almost 3 years and feel soooooooo much better than I did taking them. I was on Avonex for 3 years, copaxone for a couple months ( the dents in my legs went away) and Rebif for a short period. Never regreted stopping all of them. Some ppl do ok on them and for that I am glad, they just weren't for me. Have had no relapses without them thank God.

Thank you all for the support!

I hopefully will continue to do well off of the DMD, I don't want to revisit those days.