What multiple sclerosis drug is good to start with?

My mom has RRMS and wants to start drug therapy soon. What is good for her to start off with? She's thinking of Avonex or Copaxone, but there's so many side effects (even though theres so many side effects for everything).....how have these drugs work for you? Is it worth it?

Thanks!

People have different reactions to the standard MS drug therapies. There is absolutely no way of knowing what drug would be good for your mother. Has she thoroughly discussed it with her neurologist? I was on Copaxone for about two years. But then I just could no longer stand taking the injections. I'd open the fridge, look at the syringes and then realized I was just sick and tired of shooting up. Did it help me? There is no way of knowing. While I had no relapses while I took it, I have had none in the three years that I have not taken it. I now take a drug called Low Dose Naltrexone. It costs me $50.00 for a three month supply in contrast to the $1600 for the Copaxone. LDN gave me life back. Copaxone did nothing to alleviate my fatigue. I would never take the Avonex or any of the interferons. They are basically mild forms of chemo. Copaxone has an efficacy rate of 50%. In other words it supposedly helps 50% of the people who have it. Or so the drug company claims. Most of the people I know who take the interferons such as Avonex complain that they feel like they have a constant case of the flu. They also claim it has substantially reduced their quality of life. There is a site called Revolution Health where people from all over the world rate various drugs. Google it and you will find hundreds and hundreds of reveiws on MS drugs. The last I looked, Copaxone had the best rating. I hope your Mom is able to find a drug that helps her. You are obviously a very kind and thoughtful daughter!

I'm a nurse with MS. I spent a great deal of time talking with my doctor and reviewing the literature to decide which drug was best. Avonex is usuallu and every other day shot, but on your non-shot day you can have flu-like symptoms. Copaxone is a shot everyday but no flu-like symptoms. Because I have two children (2 and 3) along with still working part-time, I chose Copaxone so as not to have those symptoms. Copaxone is an expensive drug, but my insurance covers it, so I pay $20 a month. There are days I don't want to "shoot up", and in all honesty I skip a day about once a month, a small reprieve. But I know I will get through it, even if I don't get used to it.

I was at an MS symposium in March, as far as any oral meds for MS there are a few, but they are still a few years down the line. There are 3 in Phase II Trials (controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug for a particular disease to determine the common short-term side effects and risks). There are 3 in Phase III Trials (expanded trial to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and provide and adequate basis for physician labeling).

I've had some flairs while on Copaxone. But I have also been tracking them against my monthly cycle. Many women notice they have more symptoms mid-cycle or right before they begin their period. Don't you love hormones?

Low dose naltrexone (LDN) just finished a Phase III clinical trial for use in MS in Nov. But articles were coming out already in Sept. saying more clinical trials are still needed for use in MS.

There are several clinical trials at various stages studying antibiotic therapy and MS.

The best advice I have is to have great communication with the neurologist!

Did you know that patients with Multiple sclerosis should add antibiotics, especially Minocin, to their current medications, benefiting from both standard treatment and antibiotics?

For more info, please join the antibio group at:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ant...