Waiting to start DMD ?

[Neita]

Hello,

  I was diagnosed in Jan and was also given all the info on the CRAB drugs.  And told to choose one. I had finally made my mind up to try Avonex. I liked the idea of only having to inject once a week.  Then on Tuesday i seen a new Neuro and he said he would like to see me on something  stronger. Possibly Rebif ?  Now i don't see him again til May.  Kind of worried i should be on something already.  The sooner i start the better right ??

[Lulu54]

I recently heard in an MS talk from a neurologist that Avonex is the lightweight sister of the interferon drugs.  I'll go see if I can find that reference.  We have this question come up often.  Good luck with your decision.  Whatever you decide to do, it won't be a wrong choice and you can always change drugs if it appears your first choice is not doing the trick.  best, L

[shermay]

Hi and welcome,

I have never been under the impression that any of the CRAB drugs are more more effective than the other - it's just personal preference on what you are most comfortable with taking, and how many times a week.

Either way, you need to start (as you said) , the sooner the better.

Anymore questions just fire away - this really is a great forum.

Debs

[sllowe]

Welcome!
Well, early is best where the disease is concerned, but a few weeks or so will not make a difference.
It's my experience that you'll more likely stick to a therapy that fits well into your lifestyle. While choosing avonex, did you consider the once a week injection? That did appeal to me. Ultimately I left the decision to my doctor who suggested rebif and I'm doing well with it. But even @ three times a week I find myself putting it off here and there. But, it's very doable.

Like mentioned by doublevision, compliance is really where the success lies not matter what one you pick. You have to try a med what you think you will stick with and just go for it.
How are you feeling since dx?
-Shell

[doublevision1]

Like Bob I have not heard that one of the CRAB drugs is any more effective than another.  I was told to make the decision myself based on side effect profile and which one I think I would be most likely to be compliant with.  I tried Rebif briefly but it elevated my liver enzymes so I switched to Copaxone.  Bob is right, the needle is really not that bad, and this was something I was dreading.  I inject manually now too but used to use the autoinjector which is easy to use and you dont even see the needle.  Rebif has a similar device.  The needle is so small, I rarely even feel it breaking the skin, it is whats inside that takes a bit of getting used to.  The Copaxone gave me a stinging - burning sensation for a while till my body adjusted to it, as well as site reactions, but I rarely get these anymore.  Administering it daily is actually easier for me to comply with than the Rebif was; I would sometimes forget if I had taken it that day or the day before.  With Copaxone I dont have to think about it, it is part of my nightly bedtime routine and is over with in about 10 seconds.

[COBOB]

The faster you start DMDs the better off you are.  It is your choice.  I'm not sure  that there is a "relative effectiveness" of the different interferon drugs.  I take Copaxone and manually inject every day.  It really isn't that bad.  

I picked my DMD based on the risks of the various side effects.  The needle was about the last thing I was going to worry about.

Bob