To multiple sclerosis patients using Avonex or Betaseron, what have your experiences been with these drugs?
454782
I take Avonex.  The side effects were pretty bad for the first few times.  I started taking it last September, and I am getting ALOT better now with the side effects.  I take it about 2 hours before bed, on a day when i can sleep in really late.  I'm kinda tired and sore when I get up but after a few hours I am ok.  \n\nI hope you arent delaying treatment because you are worried about the side effects.  \n\nI havent had an exacerbation since I have started Avonex.  I know that isnt very long but my odds are a lot better if I stay on it.
590208
Yep, I was on it for about 8 years, until they just changed me to toporal.  I took it for migraines, low blood pressure and a heart condition.  I took it only at night so I slept through the side effects, but had some noticeable weakness, fatigue and tiredness during the day I attributed to Inderal.  But, I didn't have a migraine during the entire time I was on it!
867982
This is a great medication, I was around when it was just introduced in the clinical setting and after, there are a lot of people who have regained lung volumes! Thought never to be able to happen with copd patients.\nThe answer is right about not using atrovent, what it does is because sprieva is a longer acting atrovent they compete for the same receptor and if you have too much atrovent in there the spireva is just wasted and useless.\n\nspiriva is great!
234644
I've been taking lexapro for a year now and it fares well with me. Everyone is different and every medicine may not do someone the same as someone else. At first when I started it made me feel calmer and more relaxed. I was in traffic that day and normally I have road rage, but I didn't I sat there just as if I was at home. The lexapro works great for me. Much better than the wellbutrin or the paxil. Just pay attention to the side affects cause it does make you drowsy sometimes. I've gotten use to it.
188855
I try to lay down with a cold compress on the forehead, keeping my eyes closed and noises to a minimum.  Imitrex always works for me....but taken as a last resort.  I have heard that Relpax is good too.  Feel better!
509194
I've been on it for about 4 months and I love it.  No pain and best of all no PMS symptoms.  Side effects I've had included forgetfullness and diarrea.  Also, a few migraines, but I had those before as well.  I also love not having a period.\n\nI tried Lupron too, but it made me crazy.  Headaches every day and wicked mood swings.
1170727
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is the yellow spice most familiar in Indian cooking and American prepared mustard. I recommend it for all inflammatory disorders and for autoimmune conditions, including MS. As you may know, MS begins with localized inflammatory damage to the myelin sheaths surrounding nerve fibers, due to an attack by the immune system. I recommend both turmeric and ginger, also a natural anti-inflammatory, for treatment of the inflammation that people with MS experience. Interesting results of laboratory research published in the June 15, 2002 issue of the Journal of Immunology suggest that turmeric may have more far-reaching effects for MS patients.\n\nInclusion body myositis (IBM) is a rare inflammatory muscular disorder that usually becomes apparent during adulthood. The disorder presents as slow progressive weakness and withering away (atrophy) of the muscles (myositis), especially of the arms and legs. Inclusion body myositis frequently is diagnosed when a patient is unresponsive to therapy prescribed for polymyositis.\n\nIBM is characterized by the gradual onset (over months or years) of muscle fatigue and weakness; a clear tendency to strike men more frequently than women; and affecting both the muscles closest to the body’s trunk (proximal) and those farthest from the trunk (distal). Onset is usually after age 50, although it may occur earlier.\n.
267258
St. John's wort worked for my wife, didn't work for me, but it's a place to start.\n\nI was almost certainly clinically depressed for a while in college and toughed it out instead of getting help, which I've decided was a mistake.  I had a relapse a few years ago and got counseling, but I resisted anti-depressants for over a year.  It was totally irrational, and I regret stalling.  Judging by how I reacted to going on and off the meds, it was obvious I had a chemical imbalance, and being ashamed of them or resistant to them was as foolish as a diabetic refusing insulin.  I did not become dependent and I tapered off after a couple of years.\n\nIf you're opposed because of potential side effects, keep in mind that the arsenal of anti-depressants has increased in recent years, so it's more likely than ever that you can find something without serious side effects.\n\nAlso keep in mind that depression that doesn't go away in a reasonable time is terrible for other aspects of your health, so toughing it out with exercise and comedies can jeopardize other systems in your body.
1118124
I was diagnosed with MS May 4, 2005.  It started in Nov. 2002 with optic neuritis (i didn't know that's what it was at the time).  Then in August 2004 I developed a headache that lasted for about 5 months, followed with dizziness/vertigo.  I had a check-up, an MRI, heart echo, 1,001 blood tests, and finally a spinal tap (LP).  It's funny, I thought by now I would have accepted it, but it is still the first thing on my mind when I wake up, and the last thing on my mind when I go to sleep.  It's a big blow to get a diagnosis like this one.  I was 30 when I was dx'd, like most people.  There's too much to type here.  My e-mail is: multiplesclerosissux@yahoo.com if you wanna talk!  My name is Brian.
563883
I have MS.  Diagnosed May 4, 2005.  Just got back from the VA Hospital's MS Clinic in Jackson, Mississippi.  I use Copaxone, Baclofen, Amantadine, and Depakote (well, except for the Copaxone, I just started the pills yesterday).  If you want to talk, e-mail me at   brian@locklin.org.
1147134
I take clozapine,I find it really calms my nerves,I've become addicted to it though,so be careful!!
114199
I know how you feel.  I started on Copaxone, and had no issues, then I started to progress a little, then I switched to Betaseron.  Now I am taking Betaseron and Imuran.\n\nMy advice to you is if you aren't having an increase in symptoms, and your MRI's are fine stick with Copaxone.  Each person is different, and reacts to different medication differently.  But if you are intent on finding that one therapy that you are most comfortable with visit the following website, it is not for profit and definately for those of us with MS.
984994
I have not used this drug.   But found in a site shown as source there are differing opinions.  I have given only two but there are more in that site.  You can check from the source for more details.\n1.  I learned that they market the same exact thing under multiple brands for half the price. \n2.  I started on the PhentermineResults diet pill 2 months ago and have lost 17lbs so far!  I even got a 6 month supply for the same 2 month cost I paid with Leptopirn.\nVR
674378
I just got off a few months of phentermine. It works great but it does have side effects. I had hot flashes, insomnia, thirst, dry eyes. When I weaned myself off I got headaches.\nGet it from a local doctor/local pharmacy. Don't buy it online-it costs 3x as much and your health isn't monitored.
94946
I am.  I was finally diagnosed last month after being tested for 14 months.  I am now on Retilin, increasing my dosage each week until I am no longer falling asleep.  Have you seen someone for depression since these two go hand in hand?
105410
I also have been on it for 3 years and tried to stop. I had horrible vertigo, vomiting, direareha. Don't even try to stop it yourself! I couldn't stop and am still taking it.Good luck
49805
I have MS, for 8 years now.\nIt's a real pain in the a.., as you already know!\nHave problems with my legs (damn, they dont listen to me like they used to..hehe) and I believe you know all about those mood swings, that can occur every now and then :)))\nOther than that, I'm one pretty optimistic gal :)