I'm finally seeing a neurologist next week, after waiting for six months and being ill for 11 years! I'm excited and hopeful. I want to be really well prepared, and so I'm looking into the different treatment options.
I know everyone with ms is different, in severety, symptoms, and prognosis. But I just wondered what was out there, and what my options are. I think I would prefer pills over injections, unless injections work better.
I'd appreciate any input. Please also let me know what kind of… read more
I posted the following in response to another similar question but applies to you as well.
It's really a personal decision as to what (if any) MS Disease Modifying Drug (DMD) you should take. Your decision should not be made based who on this forum uses what treatment. It's important to understand all possible sides effect associated with each of the DMD's as well as how that side effect may be associated with any other medical condition that you're being treated for and or family medical history. No one on this forum can or should tell you what medication to take . You need to do your own research and read all the fine print for each medication you're doctor is recommending. This link http://mymsaa.org/ms-information/search/ will help you to understand all that should be taken into consideration when choosing an MS treatment.
You need to be your own best advocate and be knowledgeable about all the MS treatment available. Following is a list of the current treatments :
Injectable medications
*Avonex (interferon beta-1a)
*Betaseron (interferon beta-1b)
*Copaxone (glatiramer acetate)
*Extavia (interferon beta-1b)
*Glatopa (glatiramer acetate -- generic equivalent of @Copaxone 20mg dose)
*Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a)
*Rebif (interferon beta-1a)
*Zinbryta (daclizumab)
Oral medications
*Aubagio (teriflunomide)
*Gilenya (fingolimod)
*Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate)
Infused medications
*Lemtrada (alemtuzumab)
*Novantrone (mitoxantrone)
*Tysabri (@natalizumab)
I've had MS for 30 years. I have been tsking Tecfidera for 3 and a half years and it seems to be working, no relapses and I feel good. I walk 2 miles a day.
I was originally diagnosed with relapsing ms a year ago. I’ve been on gylena which I was told is a good medicine for relapsing. My new dr says he feels it’s progressive ms. So I will be starting ocrevus in the near future. 1 infusion every 6 months. I have had no bad issues with gylena. Guess it can’t help if you have progressive ms.
I have RRMS and take GILENYA oral one .5 mg pill per day going on two years now. I am tolerating it well. My main symptoms are dizziness and balance problems, along with anxiety and depression and fatigue.
Are any of my symptoms related to the MS or are they possibly side effects of the med, who knows, my neuro can't even answer that question. But one important factor about gilenya which is made by Novartis pharma is they have what is called the "GILENYA GO PROGRAM" which is basically once you are on the program, whatever your insurance doesn't cover for the cost of the med, Novartis will pick up the rest of the cost, which is huge. So I pay nothing out of pocket for what is otherwise a $60,000 dollar per year drug.
Hope this helps a little, and good luck with your appointment and your decision. God bless.