Changing Meds - What's working for everyone?

[cjtmn]

After 10 months on Plegridy, I had my most severe reaction yet last night. It's disappointing as the med seems to be working and I've been reading about many who adjust well to interferons. I'm not so fortunate.

So, what is everyone taking, what other meds had you tried, and how happy are you with your choice of med? Thanks in advance.

Cheryl

[jujuminx]

Copaxone, 3 times weekly now.  Been on for 6 years. No relapses.

[aspen2]

How many relapses per year prior to copaxone, if you don't mind me asking, jujuminx?

[Aramas206]

I was curious about how you feel after starting your MS meds the first time. Does anyone feel way better, or like a normal person again?
?

[supermum_ms]

Aramas206, a common misconception is that the disease modifying drugs (DMD's) revert an MSer back to being 'normal' again, unfortunately DMD's don't undo or fix preexisting issues......Multiple Sclerosis literally means many scars (brain and spinal cord lesions) and unlike micro vascular lesions, demyelinating lesions (MS) cause neurological damage which translates to abnormal clinical signs and symptoms.

Depending on what the MSers specific symptomatic issues are, there are different treatment options available that help an MSer function better, but there isn't any treatment that will fix neurological damage.

If your thinking being diagnosed will gain access to MS DMD's and then you'll get you back to normal, your realistically going to need to lower your expectations because whilst all the various MS treatments do help in different ways, none of the MS medications will give back 'normal' health....

Hope that helps..........JJ

[aspen2]

I've only been on Copaxone.

Your neuro might not recommend it because being one of the earlier DMTs, when studied in a population, there was a 30% reduction in relapses.

Newer drugs show a higher reduction in relapses.

However, it doesn't suppress the immune system like the newer drugs, and my neurologist told me that if it works for someone it tends to work very well.  My Shared Solutions nurse has folks in our area who have been on it for 20 years and are still doing well.

So far so good here.  I had relapses 2-3 times a year from 2013, and have been relapse free since April when I started injections.  Other than site reactions occasional (mild), I wouldn't know I was taking a medication.

[cjtmn]

Thank you :)

[Corriel]

Hi Cheryl, I did Rebif for about a year prior to going on Tecfidera in May 2014. Rebif was OK but I did have flu like symptoms.

Tec was a bugger at the begging but I have felt OK on it.

I know a lot of folks do well on Copaxone so it might be worth checking with your neuro as to why they aren't suggesting it. Maybe because it's daily?

Good luck!
Corrie

[cjtmn]

Thank you, Corrie.

[HVAC]

I tolerated Copaxone well.

Alex

[cjtmn]

Thanks, Alex. I've been thinking Copaxone might be a good next choice. My doc didn't recommend it, which is curious...