just diagnosed today - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

sandy77 · 01-14-2008, 04:37 PM

Hello,

I have already learned a lot from my readings here today. I was just diagnosed with "signs" of early MS. So, of course, they want me to choose drug therapy asap. My doctor gave me 2 choices: Avonex or Copaxone. I have no idea which one to choose. I am completely lost. Any suggestions??

Also, my husband and I were going to try and get pregnant. Can any of these drugs be used while pregnant? I assume now...I am now faced with fighting this disease early, or getting pregnant...

MSJayhawk · 01-14-2008, 04:41 PM

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but welcome to the group. I am med free (25 years) so I can not advise on your choice. As to pregnancies, be sure to discuss this topic with your OBY/GYN and your neurologist. They, being docs, can properly advise you. Many women experience few if any symptoms during pregancy due to certain hormones released during pregnancy.

MSNik · 01-14-2008, 05:08 PM

Hi Sandy, welcome to the board. Were sorry you were diangosed...

he drugs are designed to slow down the progression of the disease, prevent new lesions from forming and slow down activity on the MRI. Do they work? For many of us, yes...for others, the choice is theres NOT to take the drugs and they seem to do just fine without them...the disease is progressive...how far or how fast it will progress is different for everyone. for me, taking the drugs and slowing down any progression is key....Ive had it over a year now that Ive known about, and nothing has changed, but I do take the drugs.

What kind of doctor are you seeing, Sandy? Are you seeing an MS specialist or a neuro who diagnosed you? You really should have an MS Specialist to answer all your questions, as neuros generally see patients with everything from headaches to Parkinsons Disease and are not educated enough to be up on anything MS related..

Your choices of drugs are actually yours to take. There is also Rebif and Betaseron and Tysabri available. besides the two he mentioned to you..before you make up your mind about copaxone or avonex, I would be sure to research all 5 drugs....there is also the choice Not to go on disease modifying drugs..
With any of them, pregnancy is out of the question. However, it would NOT be out of the question to have a child now, before you start on the drugs and start them later..
this is all something which your doctor should have discussed with you at length.
Hopefully this board will help answer your questions..unfortuantely, we cant provide medical assistance or advice but we can answer direct questions and you can read quite a bit more on the different drugs by searching on them by name under healthboards search engine.

april1848 · 01-14-2008, 05:22 PM

Welcome to the board!

Since you just got diagnosed today, my humble advice would be to chill out and not worry too much about which medicine to choose just yet. I don't think any of the MS drugs are safe during pregnancy, but it is said women with MS feel fabulous during pregnancy. I read somewhere that it has to do with a hormone. I hope someone's researching that!

This is my fourth month after the diagnosis and I still find the whole thing incredible. Every day I feel different, an emotional roller coaster. But I know that will pass with time. So if I were you, I would just relax and digest for a bit.

I've been on Avonex for two months and I have no idea if it's working, or if it will work in the future, but so far so good. The injections don't hurt me at all but the side effects are still pretty bad. The first two were nightmares. I can't speak about the other drugs, but I'm sure you'll here a lot about all of them here. Many people choose no meds at all. MS is so different in everybody that you just have to do what's right for you and your MS.

duttin · 01-14-2008, 06:26 PM

Sandy,

Welcome To Our Cyber Family,

Here You'll Get Much Support,advice And Friendships

With A New Diagnose,please Take Time To Absorb The Diagnosis Of Ms,this Will Take Sometime.

You Have Lots Of Questions That Really Need To Be Addressed By Your Neuro.

Ms Is Liveable And Manageable,it Effects All Of Us Differently And Progresses Differently.

I Am On Rebif,i Can Not Help You With The Other Meds.

Keep Asking Your Questions We Will Be Here For You ,to Help You Through This Journey

T