Shots for life is shocking & it sucks & it is expensive! When I was dx in 1998 I had a decent job w/great health benefits. (Thank You Jesus for that.) My insurance paid very well for the shots & all health needs-but I was unable to continue working in 2003-so the health care was gone. There are ways to get the medication you need-my DR was able to get me into a patient assist program for Rebiff-I was without any meds for about 2 years-MRIs reflected spread & increase of lessions before, during, & after these times. If there is anyway possible to get the interferrons I would highly recommend.

Doesn't it make you want to move to a country with socialized medicine sometimes?

There is Rebif which is only 3 times or Avonex which is 1 time or Gilyena which is the pill or the monthly transfusion, but I chose Rebif because the needles or small and my thinking on the transfusion or Gilyena is that is the Rebif don't work I have something stronger to move up to. There are also meds in the pipeline waiting on FDA approval which of course or going to be more expensive. If it was'nt for lifelines I would'nt be on a med because of my copay which Medicare set at $989/month. Our health care is horrible sometimes but the pharma's really are a cost driver because when they give us help someone makes up the difference. They are working on a once a year treatment also

Makes me sooooo happy I live in Canada!

That was the thing I had to explain to my 13 yr old. This is for life and I have to inject this needle for life so I can stay around and still have my motion. SUCKS! UGH! :(

Easy for me to say since I cannot take the CRAB drugs, but MSrs are not alone in the shot department. There are more diabetics taking shots than MS patients. Not that this is any consellation.

Asked myself why I made this post, but I think it is good to remember there are other people out there fighting diseases just like we do.

Diabetics inject too except Copaxone hurts like the dickens and costs over 40 grand a year. Double OUCH!

I have already come to terms with the fact that I will be on Avonex for the rest of my life. I continue to remain stable after all the years on the drug. Being on Avonex for life is OK with me and far better than the alternative!
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