Why did you choose Rebif?

A board to discuss the Multiple Sclerosis modifying drug Rebif
Post Reply
shaight
Family Elder
Posts: 137
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:00 pm
Location: NH USA
Contact:

Why did you choose Rebif?

Post by shaight »

i posted a similar question elsewhere with no results. therefore, i am going to post this same question in the specific drug rooms.

was it your Dr's recommendations or was it due to your own personal preference. if it was your own preference, why this one?

thank you
User avatar
carolsue
Family Elder
Posts: 175
Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2004 2:00 pm
Location: Sunnydale, USA

Post by carolsue »

My choice, not my doctor's. I'm much too self-empowered to let a doctor tell me what to do.

But he did give me a bunch of info on all the ABCRs (this was 7 years ago now). I also did my own research on efficacy and found Rebif was marginally more effective than Avonex. That was a relief because the idea of the big needle and intramuscular shot of Avonex had me pretty wigged out. I chose Rebif over Betaseron simply because it's fewer shots per month. I find I do like even the small degree of flexibility the 3x a week schedule that Rebif gives me (as opposed to every other day with Betaseron). Copaxone? Well, I figured I'd keep that as a fallback if I proved intolerant or resistant to interferons. Although at this point, I'd look hard into Gilenya if I needed to make a change.
shaight
Family Elder
Posts: 137
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:00 pm
Location: NH USA
Contact:

Post by shaight »

thank you for your reply. this is such a taxing decision!
User avatar
carolsue
Family Elder
Posts: 175
Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2004 2:00 pm
Location: Sunnydale, USA

Post by carolsue »

and I should add that I also used the MS diagnosis as the bump I needed to really excel at Wellness 101. I'd been active and exercised fairly regularly, but I amped it up, added yoga, some supplements, etc.

I've since read some of your other posts and I'd say if you're worried about side effects, your worry may be premature. a lot of people don't get them. if you find you do, you can always change your treatment...
User avatar
Bubba
Family Elder
Posts: 488
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2009 3:00 pm
Location: Lithia (Pinecrest, Florida
Contact:

Post by Bubba »

First of all, my doctor did not recommend anything, just gave me the list of the crab drugs and said pick one. Geee Thanks.
After some research, Idecided on Rebif, A. because it was not inter muscular, and B. because it was only three times a week versus everyday. C. From what I gathered, it slightly, very slightly seemed to be the preffered drug of the five offered. Apparently, alot of doctors seemed to think it was the more effective treatment. Now, after the recent law suit, I have to wonder.
w/m 44
The problem comes with the decision of weighing the unknown with the unknown.
User avatar
jgkarob
Family Elder
Posts: 118
Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:00 pm
Location: O Saviñao, Lugo, Galicia.
Contact:

Post by jgkarob »

Why?
If it works then why worry about a lawsuit?
It's not a class action about a drug that doesnn't work - I live in Europe and I don't understand why the CSVI forum people think this is such a big deal.
The reason why I write this, is because after some research, (Wikipedia) I realised that because Serono isn't a US company, Rebif wasn't licensed as fast as other treatments.
Believe if or not, your FDA is protective about its home-developed drug industry.
Rebif lagged behind and provided incentives to US doctors to prescribe it.

The morals of this are obviously suspect, but I think this sort of incentive-based marketing goes on all around the world.
This doesn't mean that Rebif doesn't work- or Avonex, or Copaxone or Betaseron or Tysabri or Campath or Novantrone. None of them work for everyone with RRMS.

In the UK, you have to 'qualify' for treatment. If you have RRMS then you can choose from the CRAB drugs, if you have relapsing progressive MS, then you'll be offered Tysabri, or if you are lucky, Campath.
My neurologist had to ask for funding. No kickbacks, no incentives.

In my opinion, this website is NOT unbiased. You have a majority of posters with strong views, many of whom do not have MS.
If, by the statistics, most people diagnosed in the US seem to have Lyme Disease, then maybe thisisms should be renamed to either thisisCCSVI or thisislymedisease.
If you don't get on with your drug, you can change. Imagine life before 2002 in the UK, when you had no access to these drugs? The iniquity was outrageous.

Bubba wrote:First of all, my doctor did not recommend anything, just gave me the list of the crab drugs and said pick one. Geee Thanks.
After some research, Idecided on Rebif, A. because it was not inter muscular, and B. because it was only three times a week versus everyday. C. From what I gathered, it slightly, very slightly seemed to be the preffered drug of the five offered. Apparently, alot of doctors seemed to think it was the more effective treatment. Now, after the recent law suit, I have to wonder.
Maledicte
Family Member
Posts: 51
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 5:38 pm
Location: NW
Contact:

Re: Why did you choose Rebif?

Post by Maledicte »

shaight wrote:i posted a similar question elsewhere with no results. therefore, i am going to post this same question in the specific drug rooms.

was it your Dr's recommendations or was it due to your own personal preference. if it was your own preference, why this one?

thank you
Because I get it free for a year and thankfully no side effects
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Maledictesjewels
User avatar
Mike56
Family Elder
Posts: 105
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 2:00 pm
Location: BC, Canada
Contact:

Re: Why did you choose Rebif?

Post by Mike56 »

It was recommended by my neurologist, but it's the one I would have chosen because of the 3 shots per week.
Post Reply

Return to “Rebif”