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MS Lifelines has many patient assistance programs for anyone having payment difficulties due to copays or lack of insurance. Just call them!! For new people starting on Rebif, you are gauranteed a copay of no more than $50 a month and if you have no insurance- its free for a year. No applications or...

Hello all- In the studies, it takes 2 months for Rebif to show a dramatic effect on MRI lesions. Thats really the only thing that can be measured objectively. In terms of clinical measures, like relapses, that is going to vary by each individual. Remember though, the DMD's dont help "regain&quo...

Glad they are having a conference call for analysts and investors tomorrow- what about the patients??? LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK, July 31 (Reuters) - Biogen Idec Inc (BIIB.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Elan Corp Plc (ELN.I: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) have notified regulators of ...

Actually I wouldn't be so cynical. I think that this is a fairly significant data point showing copaxone really does slow the disease down even over the long haul. The reduction in relapses to 0.1 (1 per 10 years) has a VERY impressive level of significance (p < 0.0001). Copaxone really struggled w...

Awesome!! Rebif has very strong MRI data. The High Dose High Frequency interferons (R and B) have MRI data similair to Tysabri.

Punchy, the last 3 batches I've received have had faulty syringes too. I couldn't completely push the plunger down. I called the helpline and all they said was-if you can't push it anymore than don't. Great advice huh? Are you in the US? If so, call MS Lifelines...they will absolutely replace fault...

Hi Grump, It turned out that my new MRI showed no new leisons... not sure where all these new symptoms came from (Rebif, perchance?). I am supposed to start Copaxone this week. I am looking forward to it based on the low side-effects reports. I am so tired of side effects! Did you ever have any iss...

The new formulation of Rebif is not available in the US yet. It was recently approved by the European Commission and will available soon in other countries....the FDA is taking their own sweet time.

Interesting tip on the tea bags- never heard of that. There was a poster of a study presented at a major MS Conference this year looking at managing injection site reactions. This seems to be a common problem with all sub-q injections, not really with Avonex though- remember you are injecting down i...

Never heard of this...is this still happening? Just wondering if you were getting an infection at the time and maybe it was coincidental? We are always quick to blame our MS or Medication for anything going on....sometimes its unrelated. Keep me posted.

Just a quick point- just because one person didnt derive benefit, doesnt mean that the next person will not. MS is so different for everyone and many people see significant benefit in reduction of relapeses and disability progression. Im still amazed though, at the number of people still going on Av...

Pay attention to those "lumpy bump"....that can be the start of lipoatrophy which is becoming more and more common with Copaxone injections. Some publications are saying up to 50% of people will get varying degrees (mild, moderate, severe). Unfortunatley, it is irreversible and can be dis-...

I spoke to someone at a program on Saturday who said that applying heat helped alot. So, instead of icing the site prior to the injection, apply a warm wash cloth. Then after your injection, do the same while you are massaging. Another tip that will help take away the redness is to use witch hazel i...

Its interesting to me that when GA is studied in a trial with a proper design- randomized, prospective, placebo controlled, multi-center...it doesnt reach statistical significance on end points. However, when it is studied in an open label, single center manner (a Copaxone die hard, ie. Zwibel, Khan...

Its great to change the needle size but keep in mind that the studies were done with IM injections, so be sure if you are changing the needle that you are still getting the med IM and that you are not injecting subQ. Avonex is already a sub-optimal dose....if you inject 30mcg subQ, then you are gett...