How do I know if pain and stiffness if from A or MS?

do most with MS have pain issues?

I am trying to sort out what may be Avonex side effects and what may be pain and stiffness I am feeling because of MS....if any.

My MS doctors nurse called today and some of her questions made me think I might be feeling aches, pain, and stiffness from things other than the Avonex.

I was having trouble with aching and pain before Avonex.  The Avonex has really made it a lot worse.

Thanks,
LA

[wingnut19]

Hi there!

I don't really know anything about meds, but I just wanted to say sorry you're feeling terrible, whether it's MS related or meds related...

I'm hoping someone else will give you some advice soon...

Take care!
Tammy

PS--My sister went to her doctor today!!!  LOL  Here we go again!  

[Siddy1]

I have read that most people who take AVONEX have flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches, and tiredness) early during the course of therapy. For many people, these symptoms lessen or go away over time.  

As you said it was happening before you took Avonex it is likely that the Avonex has exacerbated this and made it worse.  It may lessen after a couple of months.

Up until recently, although I have MS I really didn't have much pain, but lately I am stiff, my back hurts in the hip areas and I am just generally achy. I don't take any meds so this is entirely what is going on in my body, presumably with the MS.  It lasts a week or so and then goes away. I think if I overdo it,  I suffer a few days later. Have you been doing anything strenuous lately?

It is hard to tell what is causing your pain and stiffness but I hope it goes away for you soon.

Marcie

[LATW]

Hi Marcie,
No, nothing strenous lately.  After I talked to the nurse today I realized I might just be getting more achy as time goes on with or without the Avonex.

I was achy and stiff before.  The MS nurse is going to call me back tomorrow so maybe we can get this figured out.  

I hope anyway, being achy and stiff makes me more tired than I should be.

LA

[grannyhotwheels]

HI Tammy, I'm sorry your not feeling well.  I can't help you with what the Avonex might do but speaking for myself, I have chronic pain that goes off the charts sometimes but I live with a constant 3 to 4.  If I do anything to exaggerate myself then I hit 8 or 9 real easy.  

Mornings are the worst for me, when I get up it's all I can do to get out of bed.  Then I'm pretty much useless until my morning meds take effect.  

I'll be praying,
Carol

[LATW]

Just got off of the phone with my MS doctor and they want me to try a half dose this week and see how it goes.  



They said going to the powdered form is an option.  I will be thrilled if we can get this worked out so I can tolerate the medication and still function!

LA

[sllowe]

Hey there,

I had the stiffness w/Rebif, and they are similar in their formulation, both interferon beta 1a, etc. . . .

I hope it passes for you.  How many weeks you into the treatment?

If it is from the Avonex, chances are these symptoms will improve in time, if that's any consolation.  Hope you feel better soon, LA.

-SL

[LATW]

Hi SL,
I have only been on A for 10 weeks. I know, it is not long enough.  But my house is falling apart before my eyes because I am so miserable I can not keep up.  

Every muscle and joint in my body hurts! The joints in my fingers really hurt.  But on a bright note I think my eye is getting better.  I hope they can come up with another treatment that is not so hard on the body!

LA

[kimstvr]

Hi There,
So Sorry to hear about what you are going thru. And I can definitely relate. I too am on Avonex and I experience the severe aches and pains also. I understand that we all experience things differently but just wanted to let ya know. I have been on avonex for about 2 months and the flu like symptoms have diminished considerably. However, I still experience the moderate to pretty severe aches. Its kinda puzzling tho cuz they really have no rhyme or reason. They just come & go. So I will be very interested to see some responses that you may get. Hang in there and know u r thought of & not alone. btw if I may ask, did you say how loong you've been on Avonex?
  Take care! Kim

[LATW]

Hi Kim,
Tonight will be my 10th injection.  It is a weird thing.  I feel like my body starts to crave the medication in a way.  But it also leaves me so achy.  

In a weird way I feel better on Avonex but then there are the side effects.  So frustrating.  I have never had joint pain  like I do now.  That is the worst part of this.

My flu symptoms only last maybe 24 hours at the most.  It is just those aches and pains.  

If cutting the dose does not help I think I will try the powdered form. SOMETHING has to work.  I do not want the MS to get worse.........  :(


LA

[sllowe]

Yea, sounds like the meds to me.  Can you take ibuprophen, or an anti-inflammatory of some sort, like Aleve?  I found the naproxen to work good, but it's not something you want to take all the time, just something to help you through - ya know?

Hey, don't you fret over that house  - it's not going anywhere.  I learned that the hard way.  

You do have to push through it, just not so much that you wipe yourself out during and after.  Small steps ok?  Look at each one as a major accomplishment and have some instant gratification and feel good about it!!!!

feel well soon,
SL

[LATW]

I did switch to Advil and that is working much better than Tylenol was.  The Aleve is something my doctor told me to stay away from because it has a tendancy to increase heart rate.  

I have that problem with out the Aleve and am trying to stay away from it if I can. What I am finding is I need some sort of pain killer I can use on a regular basis.  The flu symptoms are not as much of an issue because I sleep through them.  It is just that on going pain and stiffness that is making things difficult right now.

LA