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Multiple Sclerosis - MS LifeLines

An educational and supportive community for people living with multiple sclerosis.

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"I learned to see life in a different way."

Sharing My Journey—My Life with Relapsing MS

MS LifeLines® Ambassadors chronicle their thoughts and feelings about living with MS. These journals reflect the personal experiences of one person and others can be different. It is best to contact your doctor to discuss what's best for you. David and Joni are MS LifeLines Ambassadors and have chosen to share their stories with other people living with MS. MS LifeLines and MS LifeLines Ambassadors are sponsored by EMD Serono and Pfizer.

Making the Choice: Factors to Consider When Choosing a DMD...

February 25, 2010

As much as possible, when I'm taking my therapy, I want to go about my daily activities the same way I did before I started my therapy. ...read more

Leaving MS For a Day. How I Remind Myself Life is Not Always About MS

February 12, 2010

I live with relapsing MS every day of my life. But there are days I just want to enjoy life and not focus on MS. The easiest way for me to "live a day" without MS is to do something that doesn't have too many limitations for me. ...read more

The misconception I've heard about MS...

January 19, 2010

When I was first diagnosed with relapsing MS, there were thousands of questions I had about the disease and how it would affect my future. ...read more

Learning to Let Go: How MS Impacted My Focus on the Important Things in Life

December 21, 2009

Ok, so I'm a control freak. I can admit this, because I'm working everyday on becoming more of a reformed control freak. I used to have to have everything planned down to the hour for every day, every trip, and every assignment. The thing with relapsing MS is that sometimes you can't really plan so much. ...read more

How I stay up on what's new in MS.

November 30, 2009

Like many of us living with MS, I like to stay up to date on what is happening in the MS world. I mostly use the internet, and while there are a number of sites that contain great information about MS, there are 4 sites that I like to use in particular. ...read more

Funny Tips for Time Management

November 9, 2009

It's funny how life works. Just when you think you have it all figured out things change and you get the opportunity to manage a new set of circumstances. I think that's what makes life interesting. ...read more

Why I Embrace Change and Adapt

October 26, 2009

In 1992 I left a wonderful job making great money to start my own company. There were more unknowns in starting up a new company than I could count, but I decided it was worth taking the chance. ...read more

Getting Through the Tough Times

October 15, 2009

How tough can it get? I sat outside the store where I was getting new clothes for school and the pants I really wanted were not at this particular store. I had to get pants this same day and according to my mother, it was this store or no store! ...read more

In it for the Long Haul: Practical Tips for Sticking with Your Treatment

October 6, 2009

I live alone, so it would be very easy for me not to take my relapsing MS medication. No one would know besides me and eventually maybe my doctor. However, with my friends' and family's involvement, it would be impossible for me to get away with that even if I wanted to. ...read more

If I only knew then what I know now: What I've learned about MS since being diagnosed

September 24, 2009

The most important thing that I've learned since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is that my life didn't end when the doctor said, "You have relapsing MS." ...read more

How I Celebrate My Successes

September 9, 2009

Having relapsing MS isn't only something that I have to live with, but also something that my family and friends have to live with. ...read more

Brought to you by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc, the co-marketers of Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) in the US EMD SeronoPfizer

Prescribing Information - Medication Guide

This information is intended only for residents of the United States.

Indication

Rebif is used to treat relapsing forms of MS to decrease the frequency of relapses and delay the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS. Rebif is not approved for treatment of chronic progressive MS. Rebif is available in 22 mcg and 44 mcg prefilled, preassembled syringes and a titration pack by prescription only.

Important Safety Information

Before beginning treatment, patients should discuss with their doctor the potential benefits and risks associated with Rebif. Let your doctor know if you have a history of depression, seizures, liver disease, thyroid problems, or blood cell count or bleeding problems, or if you have had previous allergic reactions to medications. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Rebif and other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects. Talk to your doctor before you take any new medicines. Rebif is not recommended for women who are or plan to become pregnant.

Potential serious side effects of Rebif include depression and risk of suicide, liver problems, risk to pregnancy, injection-site problems, and severe allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are rare and may be associated with difficulty in breathing and loss of consciousness, which require immediate medical attention.

The most common side effects with Rebif are injection-site reactions, flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches, tiredness), depression, abdominal pain, increased liver enzymes, and blood cell count decreases. Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms or feel sad, tired, hot or cold, or experience hives, rashes, bruising, yellowing of the skin, or a change in body weight (gain or loss).

Compared with Avonex, side effects were generally similar despite the higher, more frequent dosing of Rebif. Differences included people taking Avonex had more flulike symptoms than those taking Rebif. People taking Rebif had a greater number of injection-site reactions, elevated liver enzymes, and decreased white blood cell counts; these events also occurred more frequently with Rebif posttransition versus prior use of Avonex.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

This information is not intended to replace discussions with your doctor. For additional information about Rebif, please consult the Prescribing Information and Medication Guide and talk to your doctor. You can also visit www.mslifelines.com or call toll-free 1-877-44-REBIF (1-877-447-3243). Rebif is available by prescription only.

MS LifeLines is an educational support service for people living with MS and their families. MS LifeLines and MS LifeLines Ambassadors are sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

Rebif, Rebiject II and MS LifeLines are registered trademarks and the Rebif logo is a trademark of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.

MS in Balance Your Life in Full is a service mark of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.

Copyright 2010 EMD Serono, Inc. All rights reserved.