Betaseron, avonnex & the rest are maintenance meds so its not that critical it be started right away, like steroids and meds like that are. i'm not saying its unimportant to start maintenance meds but its not as important that you start this week, this month ect.

i asked to delay starting betaseron for 6 months because i was concerned the side affects would affect my semester at school. so i asked to delay for 5 months then my order got screwed up for an additional 3 months so it was 8 month from the time the doc recommended until i started.

so don't be too concerned about a few months delay. its not an acute med, its a maintenance med. think comparison of a cholesterol lowering drug versus nitroglycerine for heart attacks.

your doc will write an order for rebif, its about the same strenghth as betaseron. its subcutaneous too MWF. every 1 of the 3x a week rebif shot has more medicine (interferon 1a) than the single weekly avonnex shot.

but still be a pain in the but and call his office every day because its easy to write a perscription for Rebif.

IMO

Just relax. This is something you will have to be doing the rest of your life.

When I received my orders for Avonex, it took a few days only. I think your doctor's office is disorganized. Especially since you called and left a message, and nobody has returned your call. That would worry me. When I call my neuro, I get a call back that day, before close of business.

Yes, the medicine will come from a speciality pharmacy. The manufacturfer should be contacting you as soon as they get the doctor's orders.

But like I said, you can afford to be patient a bit here, since this is something that will be with you the rest of your life. However, I'm not sure about your neuro's rules for communication. It seems like it is broke to me. Your doctor might also have to be making a case for you to start on Beta, and your insurance company might be giving him a hard time. You just never know (but 2 weeks is a long time not to get this straightened out).

I agree with nny1 and Ichoppel. this is something you'll be doing for the rest of ur life so be persistant about getting on a therepy but no need to stress. also.I don't think any1 would blame u 4 being frustrated with ur doc. I know u don't wanna be a pain but ya know what they say " the squeahy wheel gets the grease". Good to always remember, noone else will b ur advocate. good luck!!
Oh and ask about copaxone if betaseron raises ur liver enzymes. I loved it and no sise effects.

If my neuro did not call me back the VERY day I called, he/she wouldn't be my neuro...At least not without an apology and good reason. Remember we are the consumer. They work for us. I would be ticked and wouldn't be quiet about it.

Whoa I think of it like thief..if u were diagnosed with cancer..knowing u will slowly become immobile and sick and die?! I would wanna start ASAP to delay progression of cancer and Ms. Point being don't wait longer than u have to..at first Med ordering is slow but no longer than a month or 2.. even so u should be on steroids and any. Other meds for symptoms. And ur doctors office sux! First of my neuro calls me back the same day I call! I never walked out without samples if I don't have money..he never charges me full price of a visit when I don't have insurance..not all doctors are perfect but there are great neuros so don't settle for these wack ass neuro office..I delayed my treatment a year cuz my stubborn ass was in denial..now I'm goin on 4month temp disability..n it sux...so relax start meds asap and change these wack neuro

Re the call back the very same day: there are a lot of offices around here that say that they will call you back in "48 hours". That sucks doesn't it?

Re getting the prescription, sometimes it helps to talk to the Betaseron rep. They have people who help you facilitate the process. They call the doctor's office and make sure that it all happens and the insurance or help is there. So you could call the Betaseron phone number (I don't have it, anyone?)

But the Avonex people will help me get my prescription renewed and prior authorization, etc. and all the other hoops you have to jump through.

Some of the insurance companies require several authorizations before they will release the prescription, so you HAVE to be persistent.

You are not being a pain in the butt. You are being an advocate for yourself. Keep on doing what you are doing. And if you don't get the answers you want from your doctor, change.

And NO you are not be unreasonable. I have had to call AVONEX a number of times and have to be persistent with them as well.

My best to you.

E.

My neuro acted like a stroll in the park, he gave me a pack of the meds and the good and bad about them and than said you have 2 weeks to your next appt. so go over the list and pick what will fit your life style and when you come back let me know, like it was no biggie, so first thing I did was read than call my insurance to see what was cover'd than went back with thier choices and than picked one. I on the other hand just had my first bad flare and yesterday was not soon enough as my thinking was I don't want this flare thing again

It's not urgent that you start immediately, but starting as soon as possible is important.

What is more important is that you have a good neuro who cares about you and that you can trust. I call my neuro when they open at 9 when I have a question. If they don't call me back within 2 hours i'm back on the phone calling again, asking for answers. I know they have other patients - but those patients are my neuro's problem, not mine - she shouldn't have more patients than she can handle. My neuro's receptionist knows who I am by the sound of my voice, and vice versa. 3 weeks without a call back? I'd either call and let them know you are serious, or find a new neuro. That is simply unacceptable!

Well, they finally got back to me today and I'll be starting Rebif as soon as they can work it out with Anthem. I get my Rx's at Hannaford but Anthem won't pay for it if I go thru them so I guess it has to be ordered thru a specialty pharmacy. *sigh* Why can't anything be easy? I feel bad for people in severe pain or dying from cancer or some other disease and the insurance co. is holding up medicine for treatment or pain management. It's just not fair. But anyway, progress is now being made in my case.

Rebif will be delivered right to your door. It comes packaged in ice in case you are not home.

BUMP!

Hi shellos8,
How are your shots treating you? Have you got to the 44 yet? Mine are going pretty good, had a short period after starting the 44 did'nt feel real good not sure what to blame it on though.
Last week on shot night my son was over and my injector was laying out with the syringe in it and he picked it up and pushed on the plunger and got some Rebif on end of needle, well I'll just say you will learn to say new words of course I asked if he pushed it down and he said maybe a little, wish I could of let him feel it.