Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

Can you take LDN while on Avonex, as well? I have a lot of trouble injecting, so I'm worried about switching to Copaxone.

Won't hurt you but cancels each other out (as I understand it). Switch to Copaxone, same effectiveness as Avonex (seems like that is the drug company dirty little secret)

Well, I take Rebif cause it works for me. I started with the "China Rat Club" almost two years ago. Since I've been taking it my MRIs have drastically improved, to the extent that my new neuro had doubts about my MS dx until we talked about my symptoms. Barring all of the above reason,Interferon beta-1a (Rebif and I think Avonex)are FDA approved therapies "used in the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis to slow the development of physical disability and to decrease the frequency of exacerbations". Only interferon beta-1a (Rebif, Avonex) and natalizumab (Tysabri) have been shown to delay disability progression in MS. Not sound like I "drank the Kool-Aid" at the Serano/Pfizer plant, but I haven't had horrible side-effects with Rebif. Slight flu sx's IF I don't take Advil at shot time and after a year and a half I developed my first real side effects, anxiety which is being successfully treated with Paxil. Xanax on really stressful days. I'm very happy with Rebif and wouldn't change unless something really drastic developed. I also have to have my liver function monitored periodically...all things considered benefits outweigh the risks.

Next time I do the REBIF cheer! ;o)

I take Betaseron because I have never had a relapse. Past the 1st couple weeks I was on it, I have never had the side effects people talk about. Needles don't bother me. Figure I'm not going to change because it works for me.

I am glad there are choices out there. Right now I'm very happy and healthy.

I'm not sure why there is so much talk about LDN and Avonex working at cross-purposes. This has been argued for a few years now (ref: look anywhere on the net). I will soon be starting a 3mg dose of LDN and I take Avonex. This post from another MS site is interesting reading:

"I've been doing Avonex & LDN for 7 months now. No problems to report.

The reason that they say Avonex & LDN contraindicate each one is the thought that Avonex is an immunosuppressant and LDN boosts the immune system. I did some research and was not convinced that Avonex is an immunosuppressant. Interferon is an immunomodulator like Copaxone. The NMSS classifies it as an immunomodulator. There are many others including Biogen who I called to get an answer. Do a google search on Interferon and Immunomodulator and you'll see a lot of evidence on what I am speaking.

What I find funny is that many consider the proof we have about LDN to be merely anectdotal. Yet, you can't even find any evidence that LDN and Avonex do not work together. Without any anectdotal evidence, they are advocating that they should not be taken together. So, we are to believe LDN works based on anectdotal evidence and believe that Avonex and LDN do not work together without anectdotal evidence.

I decided to do both because at the least I could be the anecdotal evidence. I have not had an excacerbations since starting and many of my symptoms have been relieved. I had an MRI two weeks ago and will be glad to post the results whether good or bad when I get them from my doctor."

Because Copaxone has the lowest clinical efficacy of any MS therapy on the market.

Boo is correct.

Since I have no way to talk with every patient who takes any of the interferons, I can only go by the ones I know who have taken them. Wanted to make that clear before everyone jumps all over me.

That being said, of the people I've talked to who have taken it for more than 6 months, all of them who take Rebiff, or Betaseron say the flu like sx go away, and the need to pre-medicate goes away as well. Some say if they miss more than one shot they get very slight sx, but that's the only time.

A couple of my friends that are on Avones say the sx do decrease, but are a bit sluggish 1st day post shot. In the same breath, they say it's not bad enough to make them quit.

Rebiff & Betaseron keep a more constant theraputic level in your body. Avonex, because it's only once a week, can't do that. IMO that's why the folks who take it have that issue. Then again, I'm not a doc, just something that makes sense to me.

IMO opinion, the success one has with the drugs depends on how much they want to take it. I really feel many don't give the meds a fair chance because they don't want to take them anyway.

I prefer to take an interferon because of the method they fight MS. That is a personal choice I understand.

Another thing that seems to influence how people tolerate the interferons, and how MS affects them is whether they make the choice to be a helpless victom of MS, or if they have a mindset that is more positive, and feel that even if there's no cure yet, they still have the power to fight back against the disease.

Nobody likes needles, but they're not that bad. Children who are diabetic deal with them more than we do for heavens sake. I guess once you realize nobody ever said your life is going to be perfect, and you can either rise above what falls into it - or wallow in what got dumped on you - having to take a shot doesn't become that big of an issue if you enjoy walking.

I don't think it's the drug co dirty little secret either. Copaxon and interferons work differently. It's just a person choice of how you want to fight back.

I made my choice to take an interferon for these reasons. I choose to stay on my methond of treatment because I was dx in 1993, and have never had a relapse, MRI's prove to my doc and I it's the right choice for me.

Good luck to everyone with their choice. I am so thankful we're all able to make the choice of what - and if - we choose to treat our MS.