Is this still side-effects from Avonex, or what?

[Fluffysmom]

As I wrote before, I did fairly well with my first Avonex injection on Monday, had some side effects, took it easy on Tuesday, then felt well enough to run some errands on Wednesday.  

However, by Wed. night, my thigh kind of burned like I'd worked out real hard, and my radicular pain started acting up in the other leg, then proceeded to wrap around the top of my thigh like it's done in the past.

I didn't sleep as well, but got up this morning thinking I could take Fluffy to the vet and go buy some bread, but I was so tired my eyes wouldn't open all the way, kept twitching from the effort, even after 100 mg. of Provigil, my shower, and breakfast.  I rested while watching a movie, thinking i'd feel more alert after lunch.

My legs ache, my eyes don't quite focus right, and I'm soooooo tired.  I slept for quite a while.  I looked at my paperwork to see if the side effects could last this long, but couldn't quite figure it out.

I have to take Fluffy in tomorrow, or he'll run out of his thyroid medicine.

So, people with experience, does this sound like side effects?  Any advice?

Thanks,

Kathy

[Heather3418]

This is NOT the way side effects are from Avonex.  If you took your shot on Monday and some of the symptoms you describe on Wednesday, it would not be from the Avonex.

Avonex side effects, if they are going to occur, start not long after the shot and linger STRAIGHT THROUGH, until they end.  Some people have little to no side effects.  When I took Avonex for over 3 years, my flu like side effects, didn't let up until around the 3rd day after my shot.  Please note that I said, did not let up...

You may have an infection or the like going on, that has nothing to do with your shot.  Once the side effects from Avonex subside, they don't pick up after two days from the shot.  They start to lessen.

This is something else going on.  If you don't start feeling better sweetheart, please contact your doctor.  You may be going into a flare up or like I said, it may be anything from a cold coming on, to maybe a bladder infection.

I sure hope you feel better soon.  Avonex is a good medication, Kathy and when I was on it, I swear it did wonders for me, for slowing down relapses.  I only went off because the side effects happened after every shot for three years.  Mine would last about 3-4 days.  I didn't have the time then, to baby myself a little, while I recovered from the shot.  Most people find the side effects lessen with continued use of Avonex.

Hope you are pre-medicating before you take your shot and at least 24 to 36 hours after.  It really makes a difference in the way you feel.

Heather

[Fluffysmom]

Thanks, Heather.  The aching I had did linger Tuesday and into Wednesday, but lessened quite a bit, then the pain in my inj. leg Wed. night, etc.

Well, my MS nurse was sneezing the whole time I was learning to do my injection, so maybe she had a cold or something.

I'll give her a call tomorrow, just to check in.  I'm not worried about the side-effects; I'll get through them.  I did pre-medicate, and a couple of times afterwards.  My stomach doesn't tolerate ibuprofen well, so I switched to my regular vicodin for chronic pain after that.  Maybe I should have taken a  few more ibuprofen...

Hugs,

kathy

[Quixotic1]

I agree with Heather.  This does not sound like an Avonex side effect.  Let your doctor's office know if this is a new symptom for you and if it lingers.

Q

[Fluffysmom]

Update:

I got an e-mail from my MS nurse; her sneezes did indeed turn into a cold, which is most likely what is causing my extra aching and flare of MS symptoms.  At least I know!

She's going to give me a call on Monday; she was swamped today and e-mailed me after hours.

I guess I take it easy, drink lots of fluids, and this will pass.

Kathy