Guest guest Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Hi Isela: I was diagnosed on November 22, 2002 and have been on Betaseron since Decembrer 16, 2002. It has worked great for me. Had some flu symptoms in the beginning, and some headaches, but now I am fine. Take shots every other day. Working good for me. Hope this helps. winnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 I take Betaseron ( betaseron.com ) it is a once every other day shot. With a subcutanious needle (small needle). It isn't that big of a deal really...but you can learn more about it at that website. Hope that helps!!! Hugs,http://andcoverageforall.info Owner/Founder And Coverage For All 2 Yahoo Grouphttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACFA2/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Hello I am on Copaxone, it is a daily shot but the needle is short and is not that much to worry with. I already take 2 insulin shots a day so 1 more shot has became no big deal. I tried Avonex for a few months and did not care for the side effects but it is a once a week shot. With the Copaxone I have never had any side effects from the first day I started taking it. I have been on it for several years now. Bill http://home.insightbb.com/~msdiabetes/ Disclaimer : MSersLife web page is linked into different Multiple Sclerosis sources for information about MS and do not claim responsibly for the information on the different MS web pages. MSersLife can give information as to what it is like to live with MS on a daily basis. med question First off, thank you soo much for all of the prompt replies. It's definitely helped. To answer some of your questions: I don't even know my doctor. Because of my plan, my GP was required to take a crack at diagnosis before I could even see a neuro, so I've only just had my first appt. with him. Next up is the spinal tap, again with the freaking out, but I'm told being slender will help it go faster and easier, I hope. Unfortuneately, my plan doesn't allow too much doctor switching. Now for the so-so money news: it WILL cover up to 80% of the drugs, but none of the cost of needles. Sigh. (My sweetie is career military and has offered to bump up the wedding to give me coverage.) So now to the questions: how are the various interferon therapies? Is the quality of life as before? Has anyone tried copaxone, and is it better/worse than the interferons? I guess my main concern is quality of life. Please fill me in on everyones' experiences with the medications, so I can make a better informed decision.Thanks!Isela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Hi there -- I take Copaxone -- and have for a year now. I have had no side effects with it at all, so I have nothing bad to say about it. I am seeing my Neuro for a one year checkup on Tuesday, and I am going to ask for another MRI so we can see that it is doing its job. One nice thing, is that the copaxone comes in prefilled syringes, so you don't have to buy needles -- that is just how it comes. However, if you fiance is career military, I would highly advise that marriage happening sooner rather than later. My husband is a retired Air Force officer and we order our meds through the military mail order pharmacy. 3 months of Copaxone cost me $9 out of pocket -- that's all! As to quality of life, I don't know how much the copaxone has helped me. I really have never gotten back to where I was before. And I have new symptoms now.... It seem sto me like it has been more of a steady progression -- slow, not acute, but still I have a lot more problems walking, functioning, etc. than I did. At any rate these are things I will be discussing my my doctor on Tuesday. Portia http://www.frayedwire.com/forum/ A forum if you're just curious about MS or where you can just let it all hang out! "I'm not a complete idiot; some parts are missing" "Consciousness: That annoying time between naps." "Ever stop to think and forget to start again?" -- med question First off, thank you soo much for all of the prompt replies. It's definitely helped. To answer some of your questions: I don't even know my doctor. Because of my plan, my GP was required to take a crack at diagnosis before I could even see a neuro, so I've only just had my first appt. with him. Next up is the spinal tap, again with the freaking out, but I'm told being slender will help it go faster and easier, I hope. Unfortuneately, my plan doesn't allow too much doctor switching. Now for the so-so money news: it WILL cover up to 80% of the drugs, but none of the cost of needles. Sigh. (My sweetie is career military and has offered to bump up the wedding to give me coverage.) So now to the questions: how are the various interferon therapies? Is the quality of life as before? Has anyone tried copaxone, and is it better/worse than the interferons? I guess my main concern is quality of life. Please fill me in on everyones' experiences with the medications, so I can make a better informed decision. Thanks! Isela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Hi Isela, I'm also new to the list and was diagnosed a year ago. Choosing medication is a big decision and you don't have to make it in a day or even a week. You take control. If you don't feel you can trust your neuro, I recommend taking the time and effort to get one you " click " with. A good doctor is a good thing and a bad doctor can do a lot of damage, even with throw away lines that hurt our psyche or our spirit. A good doctor can give you hope and options and honors that it's your life. It's so time to be over the doctor as god thing. I'll share with you my process for choosing my med. I'm on copaxone. I chose it because the most common side effect with the interferons is that you can feel sick for a whole day afterwards. With Copaxone, you take a shot a day--discomfort for 10-15 minutes, seven days a week. I also read that suicide ideation is more likely on the interferon. I wanted to avoid that challenge. Do you need to be on meds? Personal decision. I've spoken with people who are doing alternative things, take no medication, and have wonderful results. I know one woman who swears by homeopathy. Some people swear by bee stings and others by diet. There is no one right thing for everyone. I personally am pursuing diet and vitamins in addition to the medication. There are many choices and I'm finding that it takes hours of research and experimenting to find what will be right for you. And if you start one thing, it's not set in stone, you can change. Take your time, this can be an overwhelming process. You can find lots of info on the internet but you have to be careful, there can be a lot of " snake oil " too. I read about the " swank diet " through an on-line book by Pageler. I do think diet makes a difference. As do our thoughts and beliefs. It's a process. Hang in there, take your time, and trust your instincts!! Here's a little tidbit for you. I don't know what your email address comes from, but the word " chachama " in Hebrew is the feminine form of smart or wise. (the " ch " has a gutteral sound that is not found in English, like in the word chutzpah if you ever watch Jewish comedians). As for spinal taps, they are not so fun but you'll get through it. A friend of mine describes it as the same as donating blood. I didn't think it was that easy but it could give you information that's helpful. We'll all be " virtually " holding your hand because we've been through it too. hugs and blessings, Laya ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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