Changing From Rebif to Avonex Posted: 02-03-06 09:42am
Can anyone share their experience of
changing from rebif to avonex? After 5
years on rebif, I have developed nabs
(neutralizing antibodies). My
neurologist wants to switch me to avonex.
I'm concerned about the efficacy since it
is still an interferon ... And will I
likely start all over with side effects?
Any experiences out there?
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Lucille7
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 2
Neutralizing Ab's Posted: 03-13-06 20:46pm
What symptoms did you have leading your
physician to order the screen? Were you
having symptoms or are/were more active
lesions showing up?
I have recently started using therapy.
There is only one lab that actually
performs this test. Did your physician do
a baseline or just decide that since you
were not (i assume) improving that
ordering a $900 test which would show the
presence of these antibodies proves a
correlation.
I don't know either, but switching to
another interferon is a crapshot. If your
neurologist is really concerned about this
issue he/she should switch you to another
class of drugs that do not run the risk of
neutralizing antibodies....Jeez---i had to
make like eight calls to find out about
this test, convince both the insurance
company and my physician they should
perform a baseline test....And then, what
is the rational behind all this?
No disrespect intended, but docs---give us
an informed opinion on this stuff and some
good studies on this issue
please---otherwise ms patients will spend
$$$ needlessly.
