Ok so the insurance company flat out refuses to pay for the Rebif my doc prescribed. We filed an appeal and that too was denied because I have not tried Copax or Avonex. So my choices are to continue to fight them and still no meds or to choose between the two that we had already ruled out.

Doc is suggesting I try one of the meds the insurance will cover. Any suggestions anyone?

How about LDN? It costs about $15-20 per month and no shots!

For me, Avonex wasn't a choice because it was an IM shot. Yep - I'm a needle wimp. Once a week isn't a bad deal, but couldn't get over the size of the needle. Avonex is basically the same med as rebif at a much lower dose, so it might be a way to see if you could tolerate it.

I'm on Copax. It's sub-Q like rebif, but it's an every day shot. Took me awhile, but now it's on the routine list like brushing teeth. It's also not an interferon like the other DMD's. Some docs prefer to leave it in reserve as the secondary med to try before Tysabri.

Whichever you decide to do, I wish you luck. I'm so sorry to hear the ins. co. is being this way.

It was explained to me that Copaxone doesn't cause the fatigue and flu-like sxs that the interferons do...and that it actually crosses the blood-brain barrier, which the interferons don't.
I do inject every day, but I use the autoject, so it's easy as pie, once you get used to it. It does become part of your daily routine.

Everyone is different so I think its kind of a "lets start here and see what gives" type thing.

I've done great on Copaxone for 4 years. Is it the med or just remission? Who knows but I'm not changing a thing for now. Personally in my mind I do feel that being on a dmd is a very proactive move and maybe just feeling positive has an effect, don't know.

Good luck with whichever you pick and remember you can always switch.

I've taken both, and I think I'd chose Avonex for the convenience, because eventually you get used to the harpoon. I was only slightly sick one day a week...

I started with Avonex but over time, could not tolerate it; so I switched to Copaxone.

Considering Avonex is so similar to Rebif, I'd start with it. You can then determine if a) it reduces the ['projected'] number and severity of your exacerbations and b) whether or not you can tolerate it. If you can't (meaning your liver enzyme tests aren't coming back within the normal range), it's a pretty good indicator you might have similar problems with Rebif.

Copaxone is another good option, I'd remain open to it as an alternative to the interferons. As someone said (I think it was Jules?) you don't have to stick with one, several of us have at one time or another - for various reasons have chosen a succesion of the ABC&Rs....

becca44