[KAOheim]

After nine months I'm done with the Rebif. I took week off just to see how I'd feel and I FEEL GREAT! I didn't remember what it felt to feel normal. My start was with a craniotomy and then straight to the bif before I had a chance to heal from that. I felt miserable (with the occasional ok day) for a year.

My surgical anniversary was the 19th and I had to see if things could be better. Well they can be and are. I figure I'll look into tysabri after a while. No more of those nasty adderals (sp) I worked all day every day this week and felt good at the end of the day. The flue like symptoms and the shot itself I could handle but the fatigue, which I can now directly attribute to the bif, was beyond livable. Ucckkk.

Of course the obligatory, I know we're all different, everybody should follow the advise of their own conscience and doctor.

[HSPCraig]

Hey Keith,

Above all else we have to be our own health advocate and take full responsibility for our health, med, and circumstances. We do have the power to make our own choices to better our lives as we best know what our body needs for us to feel better.

Congratulations on your new beginning. I hope this continues for you.

[KAOheim]

Thanks Craig. You're right about having to look out for yourself. I've got a lesson in that the last year. Just finding something that's livable is hard and takes time but it has to be done. I know the bif works for a lot of people but I just couldn't deal with the profound tiredness anymore. Another attack down the road might change my mind but for now I got to get back to normal life.

Work's been great with me but I can't push it forever. Does it seem like I'm rationalizing some? Feels like it.

[lady_express_44]

Good for you for trying, and sorry it didn't work out.

Have you considered Copaxone? Apparently the side-effects aren't as bad for some people.

Cherie

[NurseNancy]

you're right to try something different.
sometimes meds don't work and the side effects aren't worth the benefits.

please keep us posted.
glad you're feeling good.

[PolarExpress]

Hi Keith..
I totally understand what you've been going thru, as I went thru the same on Rebif for nearly a year. When I couldn't take anymore, and realized the medication was making me feel worse than the illness it was supposedly helping, my neuro had me stop taking it. I, too, felt almost instantly better. He put me on Copaxone, and I never had a bad reaction to it. The Rebif was definately working, because the follow-up MRI I had before quiting showed improvement in the old and nothing new, but I felt like a zombie..a sick zombie..I hope you find something that works well for you!