What multiple sclerosis drug is good to start with?

Question by Artzy.Fartzy: 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!

Best answer:

Answer by pcheesewhiz
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!

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