MS and pernicious anemia. It has been a 20 year adventure of weird symptoms nobody figured out. Now what? Doctor gave me avonex and rebif info. I'm hesitant to take either.

Yeti,

Big day. Just take a breath. You are the same person today that you were yesterday. The puzzle is solved.

There are 2 threads on the first page talking about the DMD's. You are not alone in starting your therapy now. Or not.

Best to you,
ANN

I thought I was ready for it. Nope.

Nope never ready for MS...sorry, but at least you know what you're fighting. The DMDs are limited as to how or if they help. It's your choice. If I had just minor symptoms, I would probably play wait and see, but if I were having attacks and strong symptoms, then I would try one.

Good luck Dearone..

My disease course is slow, but my diagnosis is late. I've had several small attacks, but I've only had 2 bad attacks. This latest one that led to the diagnosis and a horrific one in 2004. The 2004 attack left me with a lot of permanent problems, but otherwise I haven't been too bad off.

So it isn't clear to me that I should go on the interferons at all, especially with stuff that looks both safer and possibly more effective around the corner. But that could be a year away for all I know. The doctor thinks I should get on something sooner rather than waiting. I'm not convinced (or unconvinced).

Good, you got you diagnoses. It sure was a long time coming for you, bless your heart.

Some doctors seem to push the DMDs, and some don't. Go for what you think is best. If you're hesitant, wait until you've done more reading about them. These boards are the perfect place for that.

I've been doing nothing but reading about them for 2 months now. I think I finished the internet. lol!

i'm on copaxone because i didn't want any of the interferon SE's.
you get used to the daily shots; and they're not into the muscle.

you'll know when you've read enuf.

this is just me but i favor tx. i know MS is not curable but feel the meds do help to decrease disease progression and disability. i've been stable for 9 yrs. whether that's my disease snapshot or the meds help? who knows.

somehow when you have an answer it's easier to get a grip on things.

go ahead and get started before MS does any more damage. you can always change when better ones are proved out. I've been on Copaxone for 10 years w/no side effects. Good luck.

Did u ask your neuro why he didn't recommend cop axone? It's the DMD with the least #!side effects.
Take a deep deep breath. It's always a shock to hear those words even if you have been searching for an answer for years...made it real for me.