Why Novantrone?

digepix · Newbie Joined: Feb 09, 2008 Posts: 2

I went to see my neurologist yesterday, I go as infrequently as possible. I told him I went off my Avonex in December after nine years. I proceeded to tellhim I was considering LDN and he almost freaked. Now in the last nine years I've progressed nicely from walking without assistance to wheelchair bound. Never once did my Doctor tell me about Novantrone but now that I'm off Avonex and possibly considering LDN, he tells me I should start Novantrone. Now I know about the heart toxicity and the fact that Serono makes no guarantees that a year or more after stopping Novantrone you wont have heart problems. So what's the upside? It may or may not stabalize your MS? So after you stop Novantrone you remain stable for one month, one year. It seems like alot to ask someone to agree to with little or no lasting value. So please help me to understand the benefits so I can formulate my own risk/reward profile.

Thanks-

chrishasms · Family Elder Joined: Sep 15, 2006 Posts: 337

You need to look into the revimmune post. You need to get a hold of those people.

If you have a active MRI this is perfect for you!

dignan · Family Elder Joined: Aug 12, 2004 Posts: 1149

Here are some Pubmed study abstracts on novantrone. I hope they help.

Mitoxantrone in progressive multiple sclerosis: a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised, multicentre trial.

Mitoxantrone for multiple sclerosis - Cochrane Database

Suppression of mitoxantrone cardiotoxicity in multiple sclerosis patients by dexrazoxane

Sequential maintenance treatment with glatiramer acetate after mitoxantrone is safe and can limit exposure to immunosuppression in very active, relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Mitoxantrone as induction treatment in aggressive relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: treatment response factors in a 5 year follow-up observational study of 100 consecutive patients

digepix · Newbie Joined: Feb 09, 2008 Posts: 2

Chris-

I appreciate the post and Revimmune sounds like the ticket for the people I've read about. Here's the thing, I'm SPMS with no currenly active lesions and I'm about a 7 on the EDSS scale. I'm sure I'm not what Hopkins is looking for.

Thanks and all the best with the therapy

NHE · Volunteer Moderator Joined: Nov 21, 2004 Posts: 697

loader · Newbie Joined: Dec 06, 2006 Posts: 5

hi,

I was DX'd in Oct 05, on Betaferon Nov 05, going downhill fast, and on Novantrone Aug 06. Just finished the two years and all I can say is do it. Everyone is so scared of the word chemotherapy, and the stories associated with it. Fact is Neuro's are going to recommend patients to go on it unless they believe it is necessary and will help.

I didn't see the miracle recovery, that everyone hopes for, and don't get, but no one can argue with the significant improvements shown in my MRI's as a result of being on Novantrone. You, and anyone with MS, has got nothing to lose by trying it, but you've got a hell of a lot to lose if you don't.

I hope all goes well. My time on Novantrone was notable for it's lack of trouble and drama, just the way I prefer things to be.