Copaxone!
I do not think the transition is sudden.
Sorry that you are feeling rotten.

hi Eloise, Copaxone works for me as well. My DR. says with my depression from MS interferons would not be good for me. Good luck, Sandi

My neuro said there wasn't a way to tell when you were moving to SPMS, which I thought was odd.

I'm on Rebif, had a few bouts of depression but not terrible, just a funk from learning to live with this stupid disease. It didn't last longer than a couple of months.

Have you tried other things besides Avonex? Maybe you should at least think about something else before giving up on the interferons altogether.

Well, think about either talking to a therapist or get on anti-depressants too, if you are feeling this way too long, okay?

Good luck.

I tried Avonex and I hated it! The side effects are bad and it was destroying my liver. I stopped taking it. A few years later I had an exacerbation and my doc told me about Copaxone, I really like it, I feel alot better than I did and even though it's a shot everyday it doesn't hurt and I don't have any side effects at all. I'm sorry your feeling so bad. Your in my pryers. God BLess

Interesting sites you can read up on that RR-SP transition:

http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/secondaryprogressivemultiplesclerosis.html

http://scamparoo.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/secondary-progressive-multiple-sclerosis-spms-is/

Diagnosing SP.....

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/about_ms/types_of_ms/what_is_spms.html

11 signs of progression. This is a real good site for info. The signs of progression are listed under 'Its Types' & then under RR.
In case the link doesn't get you to exact place.

********************************************
This is the most common beginning phase of MS. However, 50% of cases will have progression within 10 - 15 years, and an additional 40% within 25 years of onset; as the disease evolves, into the Secondary/Progressive phase. The clinical signs of progression are:

*EDSS score in 4-5.5 range
*Increasing relapse rate
*PolyRegional relapses (more Functional Systems involved)
*Incomplete recovery between relapses (progression)
*Decreasing response to Steroids
*Decreasing numbers of enhancing lesions
*Decreasing NAA levels on MR Spectroscopy
*Increasing T1 HypoIntensities ("Black Holes")
*Increasing MRI burden of disease
*Increasing Axonal pathology
*Increasing Spinal Cord lesions

*****************************************

The scary part is how fast is going to be. My doc want's me to switch to Tysabri, which probably isn't needed if I stay where I am.
But how FAST do the signs of progression happen? I seem to have chaged every year in Spring I notice, after I get outside when the ice & snow is gone. How much more will it be next spring? Is this Tysabri worth it, to prevent next spring.

Oops, I forgot to put a link to last site;

http://www.thjuland.net/0site.html

The progression list is under under 'It's Types' then 'Relapsing/Remitting MS'

The speed of tranasition I believe is variable. I read of one person who had a relapse with vertigo, was bedridden during the episode, & she never was able to walk un assisted after that. She was diagnosed SP after that attack.

Another person here describes a slow decline into SP. That would be Positive MS Support founder Morgain71.

Also keep in mind that it is a label it doesn't change what is happening, but it most definitely changes WHAT medication is covered in the future. Diagnosing SP may tie a doc's hand as far as treatment options go. And who knows exactly HOW their hands will be tied in the future, insurance rules change so much! So it's not a good thing to change the label too soon, if at all.

Progression is identified by 'decline without evidence of relapse' or new lesions.

RRMS is in 2 stages:Inflamatory(RR) & Nerodegenerative(SP).

MRI is unable to measure neurodegenerative damage but is only able to measure inflamatory damage(lesions).

So I think decline is the key withot evidence of relapse or new lesions.

I've been lurking on the nmss.org board, under the Secondary Progressive group. Lot's of post's there that confirm what I read.

That diagnosing procedure recommends evaluation for decline at 3 mo. intervals

My last MRI showed 1 active lesion, and a small progression in lesion load. I was so relieved. The MRI before that showed no active disease process or change. Along with visible decline.