Hi,

I am actually on Copaxone now & was on Rebif prior to Copaxone. I can only speak from my experience with both. I was dx in April of 2011, & was started on Rebif right away.

Rebif: I took Rebif from April 2011 to Dec 2011. That was when I had my first hospitalization. I had a seizure & the Dr.'s thought it was from the Rebif. After a week of the hospital I was released and taken off Rebif. I hated it!! I was sick feeling 3-4 days out of 7.

Copaxone: I have been on it since early 2012 till mid Aug 2012. I just started back this past week. I came off due to insurance purposes. When I was off, I really had no reactions like I thought I would. However these past few weeks prior to starting back on it I felt has I was getting worse not being on it.

When I was taking Rebif, I asked it I could drink since its not every night & was told yes. So I did. My liver was never affected by it but my WBC was...Rebif.

Also, while being on Rebif, I did not have any good changes in my MRI, no really bad either. I still had 3 lesions but one was bigger. It happened to be the one that sits right on top of the part of my brain that controls all my motor, speech everything that has to do with my right side. Its a pain in the @$$.

I can't tell you yet if it really has helped. Hopefully next week I can. I hope to get a repeat MRI of the brain.

How long have you been on Rebif & has it helped any that your MRI shows? If it has and you feel like your lesions are stable enough to come off & move to something different I would. But do whats right for you. Its hard to find a medication that you are already adjusted to when it comes to changing them around & taking chances with the lesions if it has helped vs other.

This is in my opinion of course. Best of luck!
christysms

I have been on Rebif since 2006. I was diiagnosted with MS, after a twitching right eye. I had my first MRI in 2009, which did show a few lesions... Having daid that, I have not had any physical issues since my eye twitch, that subsidded after 2 weeks on Tegratol...

I am wrestling with a possibe decision to stop using Rebif due to the cost of $1300 month....

Any thoughts from anyone?

Sturg,

I am happy to hear that Rebif has worked for you & you have had no issues with it. When I started Rebif, I had insurance. I worked then as well as my husband. We both did pretty well together. But, I was able to apply for patient assistance & was approved. Are you aware that they have that for Rebif? Something you might want to look in to.

As much as I dislike that medication for myself. If the drug is working for you (which it seems to be) maybe you shouldn't stop. However, I understand the price thing as well. Copaxone is $2500.00 a month.
But if its working & you are not having any side affects & the only reason you are wanting to stop it is due to $. I say look into the patient assistance. Rebif should be able to provide that information.
Best of luck!
Christysms

I have been on Rebif for 8 yrs, off 2 yrs, and now on again. It has helped me. When I was off I had balance issues and went bk on.
I have to get blood cked every 6 mos. My neuro doc says the only ones who test bad on liver w/ interferon are drinkers. So he doesnt recommend drinking w/ interferon. Call MS Lifelines and ask them (877-447-3243) re drinking.
People I have known on Copaxone didnt do as well but they had more aggressive cases of MS.
Long story short -- be careful w/ drinking on interferon.
My doc is MS specialist and thinks Rebif is strongest and he takes NO money from any drug comp.
Rebif has program now that no one has to pay more than $50/mo. But Avonex and Beta Seron have free co-pays.
Good luck in your decision. Be honest w/ your doc and see what he/she says.

@sturg - call MS Lifelines for financial assistance for your Rebif. I called them when my husband was out of work and they couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. Fortunately we didn't have to take them up on their help as my husband found another job, but it's nice to know they're there if I need them. Good luck!

Actually Copaxone costs $4100/mo, I get a copy of the bill too every month but fortunately my ins will cover it all. They do have assistant program as well for those with no ins. If I remember right they don' t want anyone to pay more than $35/month out of pocket.

I drink wine occasionally as well, but much less than before using copax though but never had a problem with it.

The meds seem to respond different with everyone!
I intially was on Copaxone. But the daily shot thing was not something I wanted to do each day.
I switched to Rebif and was on it for 2 1/2 years-no relapses..
Then 3 1/2 years ago I switched to Tysabri. Its been so beneficial. A one hour infusion once a month and thats it! My sppech is better, balance better and I have so much energy.
Tysabri is not for everyone. It has risks if you are positive for the JC virus. I tested positive for the JC virus but since Tysabri has worked wonders for me it's worth the risk.
Go to www.biogen.com to learn more about it!

I was only on Copaxone for 6 months and it hurt terribly. The knots under my skin and I now have ugly craters and need a plastic surgeon.. I was still having relapses and tons of daily symptoms.. Last month my doctor switched me to Beteseron. I'm working my way to the full dose but I've not had any side effects other than flu like aches/pains that are avoided if I take Tylenol before the injection. I think we're all different and we have to try until we find what works for us, as frustrating and scary as it is to switch drugs..