Wondering whether to stay on Rebif
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 3:34 am
Hi Everyone,
So That's me been taking Rebif for 3 months now (RR for 12 years now, 35 yo). Have taking nothing prior to that except for a relapse last May which required Corticosteroid treatment in hospital.
And now that I've been on 44 mcg, 3x a week (M/W/F) for about 6 weeks, I'm finding it more and more difficult.
The morning after my injection, I am hit very hard and I find it more difficult to walk. It does seem to get better in the afternoon though. I have gradually become a bit bemused psychologically also and the effects of taking it are very apparent. Am I better than prior to taking the drug? Haven't decided yet but it's swinging slowly towards a 'no' at the moment.
The thing is, I notice a vast improvement on the Sunday because I've been more relaxed on the Saturday as I haven't been to work all day. I do actually see improvements in my symptoms..
It seems that any improvements that look as though I can improve upon (through alternative/complementary therapies, yoga, swimming etc.) are ruined because of the frequency of the dose (and the frequency of dealing with the side effect).
I have asked my neurologist about reducing my dose to 22mcg or about reducing the frequency I take the 44mcg but these ideas were cast aside immediately without any offer of possible alternative solutions to my prescription. I'm still suspicious that a change may be of benefit to me though and particularly on reducing the frequency of taking the full dose.
I was hoping that I could get some opinions from anyone who has thought it may be beneficial to change their dose or frequency of taking it (or has actually done this).
Many thanks, Fred.
So That's me been taking Rebif for 3 months now (RR for 12 years now, 35 yo). Have taking nothing prior to that except for a relapse last May which required Corticosteroid treatment in hospital.
And now that I've been on 44 mcg, 3x a week (M/W/F) for about 6 weeks, I'm finding it more and more difficult.
The morning after my injection, I am hit very hard and I find it more difficult to walk. It does seem to get better in the afternoon though. I have gradually become a bit bemused psychologically also and the effects of taking it are very apparent. Am I better than prior to taking the drug? Haven't decided yet but it's swinging slowly towards a 'no' at the moment.
The thing is, I notice a vast improvement on the Sunday because I've been more relaxed on the Saturday as I haven't been to work all day. I do actually see improvements in my symptoms..
It seems that any improvements that look as though I can improve upon (through alternative/complementary therapies, yoga, swimming etc.) are ruined because of the frequency of the dose (and the frequency of dealing with the side effect).
I have asked my neurologist about reducing my dose to 22mcg or about reducing the frequency I take the 44mcg but these ideas were cast aside immediately without any offer of possible alternative solutions to my prescription. I'm still suspicious that a change may be of benefit to me though and particularly on reducing the frequency of taking the full dose.
I was hoping that I could get some opinions from anyone who has thought it may be beneficial to change their dose or frequency of taking it (or has actually done this).
Many thanks, Fred.