Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

Check this thread out......everyone is using the one that they feel is best...so you will get many conflicted responses in which one is the best as you will see in this thread...

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Mul...

And just my personal opinion, remember it is all personal opinions....
is this thread

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Mul...

Are you thinking of having a child in the next few years because that makes a difference in your selection.

It's all really trial and error. You start on one and see if it works for you. If it does GREAT! If not, you switch to another one. I started on Avonex. It stopped working for me, so, I switched to Rebif. I had to many side effects. So, I switched to Copaxone. It seems to be working better for me than the Interferons. However, I know many people who think the Interferon drugs are the best. So, it all comes down to what works for you. You really won't know until you try one. Which one? Think of your personal schedule, lifestyle, etc. How are you comfortable injecting? Once a week with a bare needle? More often with a choice of bare needles or an Autoinjector device? These are things you need to decide for yourself. Good luck and remember if one doesn't work, you can always go to another.

The interferons worked well for me for three years and then they stopped working. I read this is fairly common.

I've used Betaseron for years and years. It's been good so far based on my MRI results, and the fact I still feel fine, no relapse. Have you checked each drugs web sites out?

nnyl1 was correct, you're just getting opinions from other patients here, not doctors. Nobody here is an expert.

Good luck to you!

i've used Avonex for 13 years and it works well for me. the important thing to do is stay regular with what you choose, don't miss a dose. i know a lot of people don't like the needle that comes with Avonex. it is 1 1/4" long. but, lucky me i have never felt it. the big plus to me was you take the shot only once a week. and you can buy a 1" needle at your pharmacy. some pharmacies want a prescription from your doc, but you can get that. just ask. my pharmacy and walmart sells them over the counter because of the "clean needle act" by the government. it depends on the pharmacy, but the gov. made it legal, i think cause of drug users sharing needles and spreading disease. now, the smaller the needle, the more i feel. i take 2 "tylenol arthritis formula" just before the shot and when my body wakes me up aching, i take two more. the bad side effects left after a couple months, but, i still feel effects from my shot for a short time. i take it late evening and sleep thru it all.

"good luck" with what you and your neuro decide on, most of them leave the choice up to you. also, Avonex is proven to slow down relapses and progression of disability by 30% by the FDA.

i forgot - the most important thing is to get on a therapy "as soon as possible" !!!