My boyfriends doctor has gave him these medications to look at and has to choose one.(first line treatment with beta interferon/Copaxone, Teroflunimide, Tecfidera, second line treatment options with Fingolimod/Natalizumab) Does anyone have any advice on these meds
Hi Louise,
There is a website he needs to look at, computer won’t let me link it to you but if you google “MS Decisions” you’ll find a website that goes through them all, theres a little test on there that should help him have a clearer view on it all and hopefully help make his mind up.
Good luck and let us know how it’s going
BeckyX
Hi Louise,
If they are sugesting he could potentially jump straight to second line treatments, without trying first line, I’m afraid the implication is that they think his MS may be rather aggressive.
In general, the second line treatments tend to have a worse risk/side-effect profile (which is why they’re not offered automatically in all cases), but also to be more effective than first line ones. Unfortunately, it’s often the way: more powerful stuff comes with - potentially - more side effects.
Obviously, everyone’s attitude to risk is different, so there’s no right or wrong choice. But if they are putting the second line ones on the table, it’s certainly worth discussing why, and whether they think first line ones would be enough.
Hope this helps,
Tina
x
Excellent advice from Tina ( as always ) You need to ask that question , I was not offered first line treatments as my MS is aggressive , straight to tysabri for me, which I am happy about. You could be just wasting time on first line treatment ,and risking further relapses. As already said , obviously the choice is yours and I wish you well with your decision. Take care Gray
Thanks for all the advice. My partner had decided he was going to try tysabi however has now discovered about the possibility of pml (not sure if thats right. Hes now totally freaked out and is refusing treatment. Very frustrating