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esue

"Mild Disease" & Med Switching

Long story short, I moved to a different state in October and had to find a new neurologist as a result. I LOVED my neuro in my home state and trusted her with my life (literally), so leaving her was a major bummer. My new neurologist all of a sudden wants to change my medication. For some background, I was diagnosed a year ago (today!) and was immediately put on Ocrevus at the suggestion of my home neuro. Since then I've had 2 infusions, the latest being in November, no side effects, and my December MRI showed shrinking of old lesions and no new ones. Now in my view, that's all the reason I need to keep doing what I'm doing. The new neuro however says because my 'disease is mild' and Ocrevus is 'so potent' he wants to change my medication to avoid side effects. He also said that there are studies/research to suggest that going for an aggressive treatment right off the bat more so treats 'the anxiety about the disease than the actual disease'...seems questionable to me, but I'm not a neurologist. I guess I'm perplexed because I haven't had any issues whatsoever...and I don't understand the logic behind changing if something is working and not causing problems? Maybe my disease is 'mild' BECAUSE I'm on Ocrevus? I'm also limited on my med choices due to being JC positive and I don't feel super comfortable with taking the risk of getting off something that's working to test out something else. Thoughts? Anyone had a similar experience?
@Mlgilber1

I’d find a different neurologist... it’s working for you and you’ve had no side effects. Also, a lot of neurologists suggest hitting it hard fast. I’m also on Ocrevus and it’d stress me out if they wanted to switch me just because they thought my case was mild. Mine was considered aggressive and the neurologist suggested tysabri or gilenya to try first, but respected my decision. Will your neuro not let you continue? Are they suggesting and switch or making you?

@esue

@mlgilber1 I would assume he's making the suggestion but will let me continue if I so choose...my appointment to have that discussion is 2/18, I've only briefly talked to him over the phone so far. I'm definitely considering switching neurologists already, but obviously if he's not respecting my decision i will DEFINITELY be switching. I just don't get why I would switch - there doesn't seem to be a good argument for doing so. Did your neuro bring up any major long-term side effects or concerns with Ocrevus? I've never been told any...