This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

[Cheris]

Anybody have any other autoimmune disease diagnosis while taking Rebif?

Here's my situation:
In 2003, I was diagnosed with MS, optic neuritis being the only physical symptom. Now in 2011, in addition to MS, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, another autoimmune disease. I believe Rebif is the link.
I first took Rebif from 2003 to 2008.While taking Rebif, I was severely depressed but combated that with prozac sufficiently. However, in 2008 I started to be frequently sick (colds, flu, viral infections), and decided that my immune system must be too suppressed. Self-diagnosed, I took myself off of Rebif. I still continued to get annual MRIs for baseline data.
In November of 2010, more lesions appeared and I restarted Rebif. My symptoms were similar to my experience in the past, until the end of December. After approximately 4 weeks on the drug, I started to experience a much different symptom. I began having painful, red, feverish swelling of my joints. I had a hard time walking, and could not sleep because of the pain. I saw my neurologist at the beginning of January 2011, and went to a half dose (22), 3xweek. I was given the first test for rheumatoid arthritis. I continued that dosage for 1 week until I could no longer stand the pain. I went off of Rebif. On the 10th of January, I was given the CCP test for rheumatoid arthritis. Both test results were extremely positive. I am now on RA meds. I was told my dad's father had undiagnosed RA. I believe there is some connection with Rebif exacerbating my RA latent genetic tendency, bringing it to the forefront. There was no other change during this time. It seems extremely coincidental