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I mad my biannual MRI and Neuro check up this afternoon. I have been taking .22 Rebif shots for 6 months. Dr was thrilled that there were no new leisons/ no change at all in the T3 MRI. What a relief!! No progression since starting the Rebif.

I will up m dose of rebif to .32 for a month the go to the full .44 and go back in 3 months for another check up.

I don't like the rebif but until something better hits the market, maybe Campath in 2010 or some of the oral meds or I show new leisons I will continue to take it.

CF

Good for you! I've been on the .44 for about 2 years with little to no progression but I can't wait for oral meds to come out. Even if they are no more effective than Rebif, I'd still rather take a pill. I hate the needles.

Scooby,

I did not do well on the .44 so we kept it down to .22. I will see how going up in dose again works. I hope i can tolerate it this time. My Dr. is very positive about the new orals meds and campath also. He says they should be available in 2010. i am ready to lose the needles too!

CF

I agree with you both. I'm almost at the 5 year mark on rebif (44) and would really love to move to a pill or some other occasional treatment.

I agree Dignan. Anything would be better than being a slave to the needle. My neuro is not very excited about the oral meds coming out and doesn't see why I would want to change if I'm doing well on the Rebif. I can't even begin to explain to him how much of a burden off my life it would be not to inject. The pain, blotches, occasional side effects and sheer inconvenience, not to mention additional cost of injecting over an oral med just makes me even more depressed about having MS. I know I don't have to take meds but I do want to be as pro-active as I can and having an oral med might just give me back some of the freedom I feel I've lost.

Catfreak, I wish you well with the .44 but even if it doesn't go great I know that better treatments are on the way so don't get too discouraged.

Judie

When I had my first major attack, it kept coming back and getting worse. I was in the hosp for a month total with about a week at home and then relapsing again. I couldn't stay out of the hosp till I started on Rebif. It stabilized everything. I had over 21 lesions come out in one month from first to last MRI and I am more than happy to deal with my day to day symptoms since I can talk and swallow and walk again. So I get red polka dots. I make smiley faces and patterns with them. I get chills and a bit achy, but there are worse things. I am just grateful that we have Rebif.

Triara,

I too am very thankful for the CRABS like Rebif. But, there are better options on the way. I will also put up with the red spots and side effects. I work from home now and it's a good thing because after my shots I am so tired i can hardly keep my eyes open.

Hope your Rebif continues to keep you going and your symptoms in check!

CF