Multiple Sclerosis vlog on switching Interferons & new relapse

[dhwilson2]

tesla girl,

I have MS and am on Avonex. I saw your video post on needle size comparing Avonex needle to the Rebif needle.

You may not realize that the needle you show is the OLD needle and Avonex offers a 1" needle now which is VERY close to rebif needle if you showed them side by side.

You showed the old 1 1/2" needle which is much longer as your video shows.

Anyway keep up the vlogs and keep up your spirit! good job!

D

[teslagirlM]

Hi D,

Thanks for your post. Does your needle have a green end, as opposed to the blue on mine?

In the UK, they automatically come with the blue, which is the 1 1/2 incher, but you can ask for the smaller one. I was told however, that you should not use the smaller to inject your bum, as it may not hit the muscle. (depending on bum size of course!) Thanks for raising this issue!

Best,

Marlo

[Jneil1976]

What a great spirit.

[isa2222]

where are living ? Britain somewhere ? thanks for sharing I understand what you are going through ...... how are you going with Avenex? i tolerated it for one year and stopped now copaxone....keep in touch if you wish Isabella

[teslagirlM]

Hi Isabella,

Yes, I live in London.

What made you stop avonex? I am not sure how well it is working for me, but I will give it a little more time!

Thanks for your post!

Marlo

[ambc98]

i am 31 had ms 6yrs i no how u feel i take avonex however they want to switch me to rebif im so scared dont worry about avonex i no its great dont let that needle scare u i dont no how u took rebif like that i think i have a kidny infection my legs are not wken well if i go back 2 nero for steriod he will say why didnt u change 2 rebif i dont plan on it but tell me how you feel on rebif good vidio

[teslagirlM]

thanks for commenting! So, you are perhaps going to do the opposite switch?! From Avonex to Rebif. The Rebif needle is easy as pie. As for the side effects, it hit me hard- my Neuro said that my reaction was extreme though- bad chills, muscle aches for 3 solid months. however, it cut MY relaspes in half for three years.

I would imagine u will find as I have that switching between these 2 drugs won't be as bad because they are the same strain of interferon beta 1-a.

You can email me too.

M

[tazscott14]

Hello Marlo,

I just finished watching your video about switching to Avonex. Very good video. You look so courageous and strong. You are right, keep up the fight.

Take care,

Bill

[teslagirlM]

Thanks Bill. Your method is better! I don't have the initial jab fast enough yet.

Hope you are well. Just watched the 'uncle' Obama video. Hilarious!

Be well,

Marlo

[kezzcass]

Hey Marlo, checked out your vlog to hear more about your relapse - yes seems we have been travelling a similar journey over past week! Gotta love that fresh metalic taste! Thanks for showing us Avonex - I have been wondering how it goes. Good luck with 'Awkward Bitch' sounds like it will be an entertaining read given your vivaciousness and candour.  Hope you are doing better this week. Kerri :-)

btw you must follow that dream and come to Aus - it is a beautiful place!

[teslagirlM]

Hi Kerri,

Thanks again. Yes, our journey has indeed been similar this week, and similarly we will get better and be dancing by Friday?

I will definitely plan a holiday to Australia. there are so many beautiful and interesting places I want to see there! I will follow the dream.

Get well!

Marlo

[dmplaura]

Oh, HI! <3 Haha! Thanks for the mention as well. :)

[dmplaura]

Scrubbing the toiletbowl, metal in the mouth... ugh!! I hope you feel better soon hun. I totally hear you on the sensory feelings in the legs and such.

I'm actually on my last box of Copaxone. I'm done with it. I'm going to try and control my disease through diet/exercise and relaxation. I haven't had a relapse since last May (mid May). Cross your fingers for me. :)

[teslagirlM]

Yes, toilet is fully clean and bleached. hahaha!

I believe that you can control your MS with diet excercise, etc. I have my fingers crossed for you (and my toes, although they are in spasm, so they were crossed anyway.) hahaha! Seriously, though, I believe you can do this and then please give us suggestions what dietary solutions you come up with!

[dmplaura]

I'll keep you up to date. My mom (almost tearfully) told me to stop the Copaxone on the phone tonight. I have about 20 needles left in this box. Last few shots have been red, welts, bruises, you name it. But I can tell you, I've cleansed my body to a point with diet that if I eat something 'evil' (ie: fast food greasy) I feel crummy after!

I'm certain I can control this with diet. If I relapse again, then I'll be considering DMDs again.

[ToriUTK]

Your videos are amazing! I love your sense of humor.

Take care!!!

[teslagirlM]

Thank you! There's a fine line between humor and madness, which I sometimes cross. Glad you like the vids!

Marlo

[qualisarx]

I Have RRMS and I switched Tysabri from Rebif. Good luck in your fight, Once a month for Tysabri, Avonnex once a week and Rebif 3X a week. You see why I like Tysabri the best,

[teslagirlM]

Hi Daniel,

The Tysabri is going well, is it not? I can see why you switched! 'They' are in the final phase of testing one that will be once a year, which should be even better! Keep well!

Marlo

[1kentuckygal]

great vid. Your positive attitude is refreshing!

[teslagirlM]

Thanks Tracy! We must stay positive, as it helps us heal! ; ) Somehow I think I don't have to tell you that, though!

Best wishes,

Marlo

[M00NWINK]

Hello! Nice VId!

[teslagirlM]

thanks! Big hello ;)

[gavooon]

Nice vid Marlo.. Well worth a five star rating!! Liked the fx scary needle description in particular, and the mention of course..hello to you too!! Keep strong and will mail you soon..x

[teslagirlM]

LOL! Thanks so much!

Speak soon!

Marlo

xx

[bvaleriea]

You described the "boot", "tight sock" feeling I have in my right leg and foot perfectly!!! It has been here since last April when I went totally numb from waist down. I can walk now...but like you...have to think about what to do with my right foot. I tried to tell my Neuro about the steel boot....guess he just doesn't get descriptives the way I give them...he just shrugged...grrrrrrrrrrr. Thanks again for a great video.

[teslagirlM]

I would like to put a steel boot on him and say, 'Now walk!' Isn't that terrible! grrr is right! Sometimes the recovery can be very slow even with the steroids. Speak to you on the email area!

Thanks for posting and sharing!

[bbcalifornia]

Thanks for the new vid - the numbness is so aggravating. I too switched meds - (b/c Copaxone was not working for me) and just finished my first dose of Tysabri, and so far so good. I am so hopeful that the research breakthrough is just about here - we just need to keep the faith until then. Thanks for your good work. PS - in the US, MS awareness week is the first week in March - so hope we can all do our part in educating about this disease.

[teslagirlM]

Thanks! Yes, the research is really speeding up. I feel very hopeful for us! Good luck on the Tysabri. It is very encouraging. MS awareness week in the UK is the end of April. Thanks for telling me about the US one as I will spread more word to my US facebook friends! Thanks for your positive attitude!

Marlo

[carlogiovanni]

No you will not be stopped!! Really hope you recover soon :-)

[teslagirlM]

Thanks! I am trying! I can't stand anything that tries to stop me from shopping and drinking Bellinis! Thanks for your encouragement! It helps!

Marlo

[chellyhunter]

hi love ur video! i went from copaxone to avonex but i much prefer the auto injector!! I lost a lot of tissue using copaxone and have quite big dips in the skin on my legs. i have been on avonex for about a year now and i think its wonderful. Bravo to you for being able to inject without the auto injector coz i couldnt lol ur brave!!

[teslagirlM]

Thanks for your post. Do you want to know something funny? I never saw the auto injector! I think it is still in the bag and I was so lazy, I never opened it. LOL! I am wondering, does the tissue missing in our dips, ever come back? I am glad you like Avonex. I am liking it too. and glad that I don't have to think of it more than once a week!

Thanks again!

Marlo

[chellyhunter]

unfortunately the tissue doesnt come back my legs look terrible!! but a small price to pay i suppose.

[teslagirlM]

That's a bummer. I thought that was the case. But alas! You are right! A small price to pay. Thanks for answering!