diagnosed 8 months ago not getting better

[fredericksh]

Hi my name is Heather im 37 and found out last yr had ms. Around christmas got sick. Dr. did more mris and found no leisons on brain but on neck and spine and brain was deteorating. He is changeing meds from avonex to rebif. Is it much of diffrence in meds. Is rebif some what better than avonex? Im worried there might not be anythnig to help me.

[Snoopy61]

Hi, Heather.

The Disease Modifying Drugs (DMDs) (Avonex, Rebif, Copaxone, Betaseron, Tysabri) are supposed to help slow down the progression of the disease and hopefully diminish the amount of exacerbations (relapses) you may have. These drugs don't work for everyone.

The DMDs are not meant to help with symptoms however some people do report symptom improvement.

I am curious as to why you feel your not getting better. You haven't been diagnosed very long and the first year or two can be the most difficult, not only adjusting to having this disease but also for symptoms to possibly calm down.

Having symptoms that come and go, completely leave and symptoms that stay on a daily basis is normal with this disease.

There are meds refered to as "symptom management meds" that can help minimize some symptoms.

[MSNik]

HI there. One more answer: yes, Avonex and Rebif are the exact same interferon...however, Rebif is stronger simply due to the amount you are getting, and how often you get it. While Avonex is given intramuscularly 1 time a week, Rebif is given subcutaneously 3 times a week..
The whole reason Rebif was introduced was because so many patients complained of feeling like they were craving the drug...as in, after 4-5 days they honestly felt that it wasnt working and they needed a shot..
Because Rebif is given 3 times a week (i do mine T-Th and Sun taking off Fridays and Saturdays) you never feel that "i need a shot feeling". I happen to think Rebif is great! And, no, you will not have any changes at all in the way you react to it, at least not in a negative side effect kind of way..the drug is the exact same formula...youre already used to Avonex, you wont have a problem changing.
Hope this helps.
Nikki

[MSJayhawk]

Originally Posted by fredericksh

Hi my name is Heather im 37 and found out last yr had ms. Around christmas got sick. Dr. did more mris and found no leisons on brain but on neck and spine and brain was deteorating. He is changeing meds from avonex to rebif. Is it much of diffrence in meds. Is rebif some what better than avonex? Im worried there might not be anythnig to help me.

When I was diagnosed with MS in 1982, I had 2 years of virtually non-stop flare-ups before I enjoyed remission. Your flare-up might be seasonal. I usually have a bad time from Thanksgiving through January and again just as the season transitions. You might be on a cycle and tomorrow you could be back to normal (well, as normal as you can!).

Changing meds is often the course of treatment when one med does not appear to work. Each of us is uniquely created and as such, each of us can have very differing responses to meds.