I have been seeing the same MS neurologist since my diagnosis in 2010. It is a 1 1/2 hour drive from my location out in the rural Olympic Peninsula to Seattle.
I sent her a message that I had gotten my quarterly lab work done (on Avonex) and she should check it and let me know if okay. She said she would but also notified me that she will be leaving in May to move to Atlanta and suggested I go to another Swedish med group neuro in a different (less convenient) location in Seattle. She didn't give me any names or suggestions.
I am wondering 2 things: Since I have had very little progression (if any) in 4 years, whether an MS neurologist is necessary or whether I could see a general neurologist closer to home (we have a couple of Swedish neurologists on the Peninsula).
The other part of this question relates to Medicare and the expense of Avonex. I am thinking of going off of Avonex in October when I start Medicare (because the expense of the drug is not something I can afford without copay assistance, and because after 5 years on it, I have had no progression). I have heard that after 5 years they sometimes take you off the medication if there is no progression... so would a general neurologist be able to decide this in comparison to an MS neuro?
I'm at a loss here...
I sent her a message that I had gotten my quarterly lab work done (on Avonex) and she should check it and let me know if okay. She said she would but also notified me that she will be leaving in May to move to Atlanta and suggested I go to another Swedish med group neuro in a different (less convenient) location in Seattle. She didn't give me any names or suggestions.
I am wondering 2 things: Since I have had very little progression (if any) in 4 years, whether an MS neurologist is necessary or whether I could see a general neurologist closer to home (we have a couple of Swedish neurologists on the Peninsula).
The other part of this question relates to Medicare and the expense of Avonex. I am thinking of going off of Avonex in October when I start Medicare (because the expense of the drug is not something I can afford without copay assistance, and because after 5 years on it, I have had no progression). I have heard that after 5 years they sometimes take you off the medication if there is no progression... so would a general neurologist be able to decide this in comparison to an MS neuro?
I'm at a loss here...
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