What treatment to take. Avonex verses a pill?

[vollersbranch]

What treatment to take? Avonex or other Biogen pills?

[greaterexp]

That's a really big question and one you'll probably have to sort out by comparing them with your neurologist's help. I'm thrilled that we have so many choices, but it does make swallowing so much information more difficult. Let us know what you decide.

[RoyceNewton]

PILL needles scare me and the pills have a higher efficacy rate

[themswire]

I was one of the Phase III clinical trial subjects for Avonex back in 1996. It's a medication that's about 25 years old. Why would you want to be treated with it when there are more than 20 DMTs now available, most of which are more effective than Avonex? And it didn't take me long to get needle fatigue and start delaying or skipping my weekly shots. That's not a good thing.

Following Avonex I was treated with Tysabri (an infusion), Aubagio (a pill) and Lemtrada (an infusion). All were preferable to Avonex.

I've written about all of this in my blog: themswire.com. I've also published a book about my experiences over the 40 years I've lived with MS: "We're Not Drunk, We Have MS." It's available on several e-book stores and also as a paperback on Amazon.

Good luck with your decision and happy new year.

Ed

[JTZES]

I didn't have any exaserbations while on Tecfidera but was taken off of it due to stomach side effects. But if you can skip the needles I'd give it a try. Good luck.