This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hi,
My name is Amber, I was given my official diagnosis of RRMS yesterday.

They want to start me on Rebif, and I'd like to give it a chance. If it can do the things they say it does, it might be worth at least giving it a go, right?

I looked on these forums hoping to see some positive forums about the drug and every single one is "why I quit Rebif" and all sorts of negative experiences. This is scaring me.

Is there anyone here who thinks Rebif isn't so bad? Who has had decent success with it? I'd really really love to know! Please tell me your experiences, and what the side effects were like for you with long term use if applicable... I'd love to hear.

_________________
~You get scared, you get lost, you get confused, but in the end, Alice makes it out of Wonderland.~

........................................................................

That's great to hear... how are the side effects of the drug with long term use? How were they for you at first?

_________________
~You get scared, you get lost, you get confused, but in the end, Alice makes it out of Wonderland.~

..............................................................................

I've been on the stuff for about five years.
Have not had any major relapses in that time.
I don't know whether or not that is due to the REBIF but I don't feel like taking any chances.
As for side effects - not much,BUT my neuro did cut me back to the 22mcg dose after my first year because I did have a great deal of fatigue (can be the disease or the drug - he felt it was more the drug).
I do find that manual injection with a slow injection rate cuts down on injection site reactions.
Good luck.

_________________
Carpe Diem

I've been on the 44mcg for over a year now and I've had good luck with it so far. My latest MRI showed no new activity and I haven't had a relapse during that time period. When I was on Copaxone, it seemed like relapses were occurring almost monthly. I've been very fortunate that I'm finally stable.

As far as the injections go, I gave up using the Rebiject as it felt more like a Medieval torture device. The spring action on it left nice bruises and released the medication too quickly. My husband has been doing them manually, which seems to help a lot. I've also removed my thighs from the injection rotation, as I have a lot of surface veins and was getting reflux and bleeding almost every time.

I also do a Sun./Tues./Thurs. injection schedule as well doing them in the evening before bed. I usually take 400-600mg Ibuprofen about half an hour before the injection. I did have the dreaded flu-like symptoms when my dose was titrated up, but I seem to have adjusted to it. Have the occasional fatigue the next day, but I generally feel pretty good if I'm well rested. Good luck!

hey amber,

weigh all of your options by reading as much as possible here and everywhere. IMO, do not let the Dr tell you what to use for meds. i saw 4 different dr's for their opinions and analysis. i ended up choosing avonex due to multiple reasons...mostly that it was once a week.

so far it's been ok. there is definitely an adjustment period that you must go thru. one dr suggested at least a 3 month trial before moving on. i think that is the key, "moving on" is always an option! if it doesn't work for you, try something different. obviously, it you have relapses while on 'the' drug then you'd probably be best to try something different also.

best of luck with your decision.

Thanks for the input, experiences and advice everyone. Shaight, I was actually fortunate enough to have a very good MS doctor who diagnosed me. He showed me all of the available treatments, told me everything about each one, the pros and cons, and gave me literature to read on them. He did say that he felt Rebif would be best for me and my situation, but to be honest I was thinking that before he said it. I plan on giving it until my next MS appointment (6 months from my diagnosis), and if it is not working for me, then I'll discuss options then. If it is, then great lol. I have not started it yet, my starter kit should be coming in the mail soon, and I'm waiting for a call about how it will be financially covered. I'll keep you guys posted. I really appreciate the stories and support... best thing I've done so far is sign up on this website!

_________________
~You get scared, you get lost, you get confused, but in the end, Alice makes it out of Wonderland.~

NiftyBunny,

MS Lifelines, the Rebif support network, has a wonderful program that offers financial support for qualifying patients. I've been able to get my Rebif free of charge, which is a huge help. If you haven't done so, it's worth investigating.

Dear Amber,

I am on Rebif44 for 4,5 years now. I had my 1st attack in October 2006, was diagnosed in December 2006 and started Rebif in February or March 2007. I had 1 relapse in April 2007, which means after a few weeks of treatment, I had some family problems etc. and was very stressed during that time.

Since that relapse in 2007 I had no attack, I have currently no MS symptoms, my MRI looks fine. Of course it is possible that this is not due to Rebif, but I don't care, I am happy that Rebif seems to work for me.

I inject Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday before I go to sleep and I take 400mg Ibuprofen with the injection. For the first months when I started Rebif, I had to take up to 1200 mg Ibuprofen, otherwise I had these flu syptoms and fever. I have noted that the side effects are more severe when I inject in my belly, this is why I use legs and bottom only. I prefer manual injection, too, I don't like the Rebiject very much, but I have to use it to inject in my backside My skin is still okay, sometimes the injection sides get red and when I expose them to the sun, they swell a bit.

So I am happy with Rebif, but for my sister, who has MS as well, Rebif did not work. She switched to Copaxone and is now free of relapses, but has some problems wiht her skin.

To sum up, try it for some months, take ibuprofen to fight the side effects and switch, if it does not work. Good luck

Sandrine

Going on two and a half years, no relapses, no side effects. From what I have seen, your body can either handle it or not. No happy medium. Recent MRI showed no new lessions...

_________________
w/m 44
The problem comes with the decision of weighing the unknown with the unknown.

Diagnosed November 2010 following Optic Neuritis and MRI showing lesions. Since then on 44mcg 3 x per week. No relapses to date. Rebif gives me mild flu symptoms for a few hours plus achy limbs the next day. All quite tolerable.

I get some neuropathic itch - maybe MS or sides from Rebif

Thank you everyone for your replies so far! I am very glad to hear that not ALL experiences with Rebif are bad ones.

Mrbarlow - the neuropathic itch is probably from the MS itself cause I get that really bad (as well as the burning tingling neuropathic pain) in my hands and legs and I'm not on the drug yet. The hands are the worst.

Bubba - I was REALLY happy to read your reply, you give those of us starting on it hope!

Sandrine - Thank you for sharing your experiences, I was happy to hear you are happy with it. (Though I don't think I could do the shots in by backside! lol ).

Froggie - thanks for the tip! I live in Canada though and thanks to our wonderful healthcare my meds will be cost free... a BIG relief!

Thanks everyone who has replied so far, it is really great to hear from you all!

_________________
~You get scared, you get lost, you get confused, but in the end, Alice makes it out of Wonderland.~

Hi Angie,
Thanks for sharing your experience. What are you taking to combat the side effects? Many people have found that ibuprofen helps with the side effects from interferon.

NHE