Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

The NMSS website is a great place to start if you want to compare medications because they are administered differently and have varying side effects. Going on MS meds will probably require pregnancy planning as the interferon drugs are not to be used when planning to or becoming pregnant or when breastfeeding. I was told it was safe to continue using Copaxone if I became pregnant, but I personally don't trust that. I hope your doc is forthcoming with information about this subject because mine was terrible in this situation. Good luck with your med search!

Happy Birthday tomorrow! I understand your fear. I have heard that you want to be careful with all treatments if you are planning to have children. The only "natural" route I have even heard of being effective are Omega's. The best person to ask would be your neurologist. Ask all the questions, then if you still aren't sure, ask another health professional. I saw an elderly woman at a MS Conference recently. She has never taken meds to treat her MS. She had only taken the supplement route. She appeared to be in decent health. She was in a wheelchair and used a walker in between. Not sure if meds would have kept her from using assistance. I take Copaxone and I know it has warnings about pregnancy and nursing. I also believe it is one of the more mild treatments. Good luck!

I myself took the drug avonex for 2 months when I started going the natural route.I know there are alot of people that put their faith in their neurologists but if they vare anything like the 3 I have seen in my area all they could say (and I think this was the extent of theri vocabulary) was "take a drug..any drug...need more drugs?..come to me and I will give you more drugs" and when I tried to talk to them about natural treatments they all naturally kicked me out of their office and told me not to bother them unless I decided to take a drug. In short..I would not trust any drug especially if you are planning on having children...if you get a magnifying glass and some good oculars you might be able to read the book of side effects of all the drugs they want to give you...I guess what I am saying is step very cautiosly concerning taking ANY drug. I was treated by a woman who has had MS for over ten years and never took a drug..unless she told you ..you would never know she had MS..she was told she would be in a wheel chair within a year and she walks just fine..oh..and she is a registered practicing nurse..go figure..embrace your faith and give your body the nutrients it needs (good time to start that part now if you are planning on having children) :-) and your body can give you many more years of healthy living...good luck on making your decision..Peace be with you and yours
Fred

Each medicine has benefits and draw backs for different people. Enough waffling. I was taking Avonex when my husband first wanted to have a family. I stopped taking the med for a few wks before trying to get pregnant. I had a relapse. I started the shots again and waited a year. Same result. The doc moved me to Copaxone and we started again. After 6 wks off meds had another major attack. My neuro suggested kids may not be in our future, I didn't like that. I found a geneticist at a nearby hospital and asked him. He studied for a few weeks and gave me great news. I could take Copaxone and my muscle relaxers throughout my pregnancy. What happened in reality is I took my meds until I found out I was pregnant ( conception about 9th or 10th preg test on the 1st). I started taking my meds again about 6 wks after birth. No problems with my extremely happy and healthy 4 yr. old. Please do not take this for more than it is, which is not medical advice, talk to your neuro (I suggest one that specializes in MS) and talk to a geneticist. I am thankful I spoke to both of my docs and they helped me make a decision that was best for me. Also, if you do decide to have a baby, go the extra mile and call the NMSS for the good doc list in your area for OB/GYNS, get recommendations and then interview them. You want an OB/GYN that has had experience with women that have MS. Good Luck!

happy early birthday. I have been dx almost two years. I started on copaxone and I had bad side effects. Then the doc put me on betaseron. Before I started on the med. I had to make a decision of taking meds. or having a baby. I have been married since august 2006. I can not tell u which meds. to take because everyones immune system is different. What works for one may not work for the other. I have had a really good experience so far with betaseron. With betaseron there is a 24 hours beta nurse line that u can call. U also are provided with a nurse. I do not know if this will help. My docter has told me to take the med. for a year and then come off of it for two months. Before trying to have a baby.

Thank you all very much for your replies, it has given us a wider view of everything! We are planning on getting a second opinion before we decide on what to do. This is all very overwhelming... Thanks again for sharing your advice and suggestions w/ me!! and for wishing me a happy birthday!! :D

I have tried Betaseron but like Rebif better and here is why. They are both high dose and the most effective according to the data. Rebif is in a pre-filled syringe, Betaseron has all these steps to do to mix it. There is one less shot a week with rebif (52 a year) so you get your weekends off. I am of childbearing age, there is not data anywhere that says interferones affect fertility, you have to remember that we have interferon in our body already, it is a natural occuring thing. Even the people who have gotten pregnant on interferon on accident, there was no incidence of birth defects.Copaxone is not indicated for use during pregnacy, it is a catagory B, so you have to go off all of them anyway, might as well go with one that has shown to be effective on disability, copaxone has not.

When I got pregnant, I stopped taking rebif. I saw my neurologist, and he said there is a safe med to take during pregnancy if I started having problems. I havent had any problems..I wish I remembered the name of the med for you! Maybe that would be something to ask your doc?