dr. just prescribed REBIF - advice please - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

jtr612 · 07-31-2006, 12:43 PM

After solu-medrol treatment and a medrol pack and an MRI, I finally hed my appointment with my dr. today. The bad news is I have an active lesion in my neck and a few new but inactive lesions on my brain. My brain is quiet and my lesion in my neck is causing an exacerbation that has not gone 100% away even after my treatment.
My dr. did not beat around the bush, she wants me to start Rebif right away

, after about a year she said I could try to have another baby if I wanted to. at this point, I am not sure if that is in the best interest of my 2 1/2 year old and another little one. I worry about being able to be fully functional and there for them as time goes on

. ANyway, that is another thread sometime.

Bottom line, can anyone tell me the good and/or bad about REBIF? I don't know anything about it. I would like to know if it has caused more problems or has been a positive experience for anyone. When you have started medication, any medication, what has it done for your symptoms, flare-ups, progression with MS?

Thanks for any help that can be given to help me be better informed.

Tara

LaLady · 07-31-2006, 01:47 PM

Tara, I am not on Rebif but I just wanted to tell you I will be thinking of you and wishing you all the best. I went on another of the MS meds about 4 months ago and had WONDERFUL results.
I went from a non-functioning, double visioned, exhausted, drunken/wobbly zombie to almost my normal self! Still a little wobbly but can live a pretty normal life.

Good luck!

hkholwerda · 07-31-2006, 02:04 PM

I was supposed to be on Rebif, but my MS Specialist got frustrated with the pharmacy because it was taking too long so I am on Betaseron. Either way, I have heard wonderful things about both. On another positive note, I have a dear friend who has had MS for 30 years, she has 6 children, and she is doing fairly well at the age of 66

Remember to stay positive, I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason!
Take care,
Holly

purfik · 07-31-2006, 02:05 PM

Ask your doctor for the Rebif information package. It is a carry bag with manuals and cd's that tell you all the in's and out's and the good and bad affects. I was dx'd in January of this year and my doctor wanted me to start on Rebif. I was given the package to study and it helped alot in my decision. I started my Rebif shots March 2nd and have done great so far. My side effects have been mild, a few aches in the joints now and then. The shots have had a positive affect on my MS. As you will learn this disease shows itself differently in each individual, as will the shot's side effects. Some of the side effects can be flu-like symptoms, injection site reactions, depression, liver and/or thyroid problems. Like I've said, I have been very lucky because my side effects have been mild to nothing. I've taken pills that have given worse side effects than my shots. I wish you the best of luck on this journey. MS tries very hard to take over your life but if you hold on the the reins tightly, you'll control the ride.

jtr612 · 07-31-2006, 03:18 PM

What is the other medication that you are on, if you don't mind me asking? Thanks for the kind words!! I am really trying to be positive but it is very very scary. The unpredicatability is very frightening in itself. I am really hoping for good results from this medication and I hope it is a good choice on my dr.'s part. As a teacher I have been off all summer and being that I am starting medication ASAP and I will be returning to teaching full time next week, I am a little nervous, OK a lot nervous. I hope to hear from more people about their experiences with or without REBIF so I can get a good idea of what medication MAY do for me. I was diagnosed in October and have waited to start meds becasue we were trying to have another child but now I am wondering if I have waited too long to start meds because I have developed this new lesion that is causing me so much trouble. I just hope that the lesions that I already have stay inactive because I fear what may happen if they do become active. Like I said the unpredicatability is frightening in itself.
Thanks again for the kind words and I am hoping and praying for the best.

Tara