Flu and flair ups

[angela5674]

I read on another post that the flu can cause flair ups.  I'm on Rebif and like many of the interferons, it causes flu like symptoms.  Last night I went from 8.8mcg to 22mcg in the titration and ended up with the lovely flu like symptoms.  I had a temp of 102+, my body felt like it got hit by a MAC truck, etc.  Today the temp is gone, but I'm very weak and my muscles are spasming all over my body. Can the flu symptoms from the Rebif cause a flair up?  Angela

[angela5674]

Hi Heather, thanks for the post.  Here's what I came up with from the MS Lifelines website for Rebif:

Q. What are the common side effects of Rebif?
A. There are some common side effects with Rebif. The most common, injection-site reactions and flu-like symptoms, are generally expected with injectable interferons. Here are the common side effects:

Injection-site reactions. Soreness, redness, pain, bruising, or swelling may occur at the place of the injection.

Flu-like symptoms. Most patients have flu-like symptoms (i.e. fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, and fatigue).

Depression. Some patients taking interferons have become very depressed and/or anxious. If you feel very sad or hopeless, you should tell a friend or family member right away and call your doctor immediately.

Liver problems. Your liver may be affected by taking Rebif and a few patients have developed severe liver injury. Your healthcare provider may ask you to have regular blood tests to make sure that your liver is working properly. If your skin or the whites of your eyes become yellow or if you are bruising easily you should call your doctor right away.

Blood abnormalities. Rebif may affect your blood cell counts, so you may be asked to have regular blood tests to make sure your blood cell levels have not dropped. If you have difficulty fighting an infection, feel tired or sluggish, or bruise or bleed easily, contact your doctor.

So, it seems like the fever could have been from the Rebif.  I took the shot at 12:30pm, laid down and slept until 5:30pm.  When I woke up, I had the fever.  It finally broke around 9:30pm.  Other than some weakness throughout the next day, I felt better after the fever broke.  My left side weakness and spasming returned, though.  I guess my next question would be, with the fever being 102 and knowing that increased body temp causes some issues, would this be why my left side issues returned.  Angela

[Heather3418]

I can only speak from experience...Your Rebif will not, I repeat NOT cause a flair-up.  Of course you know that the flu-like symptoms are from the Interferon Beta 1A.  This is especially evident when you are up to 22 mcgs.

I suggest that you take an over the counter pain reliever at least 24 hours before your shot and continue for a least 48 hours.  Your temperature of 102 is NOT from the Rebif.  You may indeed have the flu.  Please call your doctor, as a rise in body temperature is not what you would expect from your shot.  As I say, I am only speaking from my experience with Interferons.

Hopefully you will be one of those lucky ones, who will see a decrease in the side-effects as you become used to the higher dose.  Keep your fingers crossed.

You are on a good drug that is known to help prevent further flair-ups and the dreaded "brain atrophy," that MS causes.  So hang in there.  You are doing the best for your MS that you can possibly do.

I hope you feel better sweetie.  And please check with your doctor and see if you indeed, have the flu.  It's kinda hard to tell, isn't it, with the side effects from the shot?

Best Wishes and hang in there with it, Heather