Answer/Reply:

Hi
I have been taking Avonex for > 3 years and the flu-like side effects CAN be managed. Make sure you take aleve, advil or tylenol before you inject, let the avonex warm up to room temp (this makes a big difference) and ice the injection site. Drink plenty of water after. While I still get headaches sometimes, I seldom experience anything worse if I do all the above. My doctor had me gradually increse from a 1/2 dose to a full dose so that I had a chance to get accustomed to it more slowly. Hope this helps

41 year old Female

Posted: 2008-12-19 21:03:17

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I have been taking avonex foe 11 years and I must say that my side effects vary . Advil liqua gels are fantastic at releaving all symptoms

Posted: 2009-01-28 19:48:28

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I have been taking Avonex for 2 years and experienced flu-like symptoms the first shot only. My doctor prescribed Naprelan to take when I take my shot weekly and it keep me from having side effects. I feel perfectly fine the next morning taking Naprelan with my Avonex.

Posted: 2009-03-01 15:06:49

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I have been taking Avonex for 4 wks now and I tell you I get every side effects, it's been really bad for me, however I take it every friday night that way I'm feeling kind of normal by sunday, I tried to take advil for pain but my stomach could not handle it, so the best thing is to drink plenty of fluids, also keep in mind everyone is different.

Posted: 2009-03-15 02:43:14

Answer/Reply:

I was diagnosed in August 2007 and started Avonex Therepy Oct 2007. I was expecting the reaction to be fairly significant based on the information I had from a CD and literature. My actual experience has been mild, flu-like symptoms (muscle aches, fever, chills-no nausua, PTL) My Dr. had urged me to take an ibp before the shot, and as needed through the next day. I have reduced from 600mg every 4-6 hour to 200mg only as needed, which is fairly rare now. I think attitude has a lot to do with it too. I consider the alternative and thank God for Avonex, and that I live in a time and place where it is available to me! I recently encountered a woman diagnosed about the same time as me. She was in a wheelchair. I have better use and movement of my body than many 40 year olds! God is Good and He loves us!

61 year old Female

Posted: 2009-04-14 11:06:26

Answer/Reply:

Avonex Users....
Hi I am a 48 year old male on Avonex since diagnosed in 06.
At first I had chills,shivers and flu like symptoms.
Still have flu like symptoms but not as severe.
What works best for me is injecting around 10:00 pm Sat.
I take two tylonol 2 hours prior and at a 11:00 pm. and Nite-qual then go to bed.
You'll sleep better and thru most the side affects.
Sun. is some times a drag but by Mon. you'll feel a lot better.

48 year old Male

Posted: 2009-09-03 17:50:36

Answer/Reply:

I agree with you about the ringing ears. I have been on Avonex for 4 years and my ears have driven me crazy with ringing almost the entire time. I also noticed an increase in mucus production. I have an occasional productive cough for apparently no reason at all.

56 year old Female

Posted: 2008-12-01 13:14:00

Answer/Reply:

In response to your concerns on the injection of Avonex (fear of needles)
I had/have the same fear , for much the same reasons. I used to be on Rebif, but the three injections over 5 days, caused severe reactions at the injection sites. My problem is that I am not a large enough person (hardly any fat) to help cushion/lessen the pain of the injections!
With Avonex I tried;....small needle and the larger needle! (Looks large enough to inject an elephant! Scared me to death!!! BUT DO NOT BE PUT OFF! Believe it or not the pain is less, as the needle is not as sharp, the medication goes through the needle faster and easier and lessens any bruising which may occur, with the smaller needle. I found the placing an ice pak on the site to be injected for a minute or two, before injections helps immensley! It basically numbs the site. As I am only of small build, I can only inject in my upper thighs (top or side), as the needle is too long. So I sit down, place the ice pak (which is in a zip lock bag. On the thigh, whilst that is numbing the site, I assemble the syringe and needle, get the bandaid, gauze pad and Alchoho wipe out of the packets, by this time the thigh is numbed enough, then I use the Wipe to sterilise the area, wave my hand quickly over the sterilised site on my thigh, to dry it quickly. Place the ice pak back on my thigh for a few more seconds and then get my husband to do the injection, whilst I close my eyes!!!! I usually don't feel a thing, just slight pressure. So if you have someone you trust that can do it for you, it is an enormous help and an Avonex Nurse will come out to see you and the other person you have allotted to do the Injection, to show and train them and you in the process. She/he will sit there and supervise whilst the person follows the instructions he/she gives, as how to inject. DO NOT PANIC, take deep long and slow breathes, before the injection and then fast breathes OUT through your mouth as the injection is going in. This also helps. As youy are too busy breathing through your mouth fast and counting the breathes also helps take your mind off the injection. If you have no choice but to inject yourself, just freeze the site as I have mentioned, take a few deep breathes and do trhe injection in one FAST and fluid motion.
As far as getting through the rest of your life on it....REMEMBER......Medicine moves on EVERY minute of EVERY day, and someone, somewhere, WILL come up with something to take the place of the injection! There are a LOT of things they can do today, that they couldn't even think of doing a few years ago! So remember, the injections will not be forever! Something better WILL come along! The more the scienists and medical proffession learn about this disease, the faster than an come up with other options or even a cure! I was told a long time ago, when diagnosed with Retrobulbular Optic Neuritus, that there was no cure for it, but to hang on in there, as as soon as a cause was found, the medical proffessionals etc, would be half way to a cure! If the cause can be located, then a cure CAN be found! It just takes time. At the time i was diagnosed with the Optic neuritus, there was only Steroid injections to try and stop the progression/correct it. A few years later, they discovered that the problem, if it had been left alone would have corrected itself anyway. They could not even operate on the eye at all, at that time! They can now! All be it, the front (lens/cornea etc), but treatments for the back of the eye are not too far away. They just need "supersonic" strength magnifiers to view the complicated vessels etc. Also remember that the brain is NOT the most complicated part of the human body! (where the MS is situated)....THE EYE IS! believe it or not the EYE is the ONLY part of the human brain that can be seen! and is the MOST complicated part ofthe human body and holds the most mysteries! SO on that note, the brain and the lesions on it caused by MS are not that complex in comparison....So don't think LONG term with these injections, THINK short term! They will soon be a thing of the past! And Hallijulah to that!
I am 48 yrs old and was diagnosed 4 1/2 yrs ago

48 year old Female

Posted: 2008-10-29 07:18:45

Answer/Reply:

You have the gift of encouragement, and you are a Word-Smyth to boot! God Bless you for taking the time to respond to this person! I am a 60 year old female, diagnosed 8/06 and on Avonex since 10/06. I see it as a Blessing and tremendous alternative to deterioriation. PTL!

61 year old Female

Posted: 2009-04-14 11:18:38

Answer/Reply:

I have had MS for 10 years. Thank to my doctors I got started on Avonex early. No one would know that I have MS unless I told them. Here are some things that I can advise you. Make sure that you leave your Avonex out in room temp for at least 30 minutes. Eat a good meal, take your Advil before you take your shot, and for reasons that I hate to feel bad, I take is before I go to bed. The biggest thing to remember... do not take hot showers, or go into a hot tub. I was stupid and got into a hot tub and had a bad break out.

And most of all when you are tired quit. Pushing your limits will just get you down and everyone around you. Get plenty of rest. And I know that it is impossible but try to live stress free!
stylist_L@ yahoo.com

51 year old Female

Posted: 2008-11-10 19:36:25

Answer/Reply:

Hi:
I used betaSeron1b from about 1995 to 2005, and the side effects practically disappeared as time went on. My major complaint was that instead adjusting to injecting three times a week, I eventually hated it to the point of 'forgetting' very frequently. After reading about the of Rebif and discussing it with my doctor, I switched to that therapy instead. This seemed to be an improvement, but again, my aversion to the injection itself has worsoned. There is a new injector soon to be available that will hopefully help me to get back on track and stay there.
My neurologist is wonderful at discussing things with me openly and without reserve; we are both very involved in my treatment. I have called his office regarding the new device, and on my next appointment, we will discuss it in more detail, so I can get it as soon as possible.
When I was first diagnosed, in 1991, it seemed I had to take so many medications to get this thing under some form of control. MS is different in each person, and the treatment has improved remarkably, so your physician will help you make adjustments as the need arises.
Best wishes. ~S~

52 year old Female

Posted: 2008-09-24 12:33:35

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I take 800mg Ibuprofen every 6 hrs for 24 hrs, to lessen my headaches and myalgia, after an injection. Tylenol products just haven't worked for me while taking Avonex. You may want to ask your doctor what he/she thinks.

Posted: 2008-10-06 01:03:38