Q? on Rebif its side effects and results

Hi, I have been on Rebif for 5 weeks now, one week at full dose (44 mcg) and I fave a few observations.

I was told by the RN from MSLifeLines (company of Rebif), that the medicine could not fix the damage
already done by my lesions, before starting the medication, but that it is designed to slow the progression
of new lesions and therefore flare-ups, therefore symptoms.

The side effects of taking Rebif, at least for me, can be quite harsh, the flu like symptoms can really
weaken your body, in a different way than fatigue does.

For me, I run a low grade fever, feel awful, but also extremely sore, like someone has taken a baseball bat
to my entire body, my skin even hurts to the touch.  My ribs hurt, especially my lower ribs, but
differently than my MS Hug.  Put it this way, when I get up in the morning, I feel like I should
look over my body, for severe bruises, because of that baseball bat.

I know, I have been told to take Tylenol or Advil, 30 minutes before taking my shot, and to take it
before I go to bed, and I do.  However, I find it very hard to sleep when your overall body aches.
It's difficult to find a sleeping position, because you don't want any body part touching another
body part, etc.  Laying on either side presents yet another challenge, your ribs ache.  Ever try
laying on your side (either side) when your lower ribs ache?

Yes, I know I am early in the stages of treatment, and I was told about the side effects going in.
I was told, in time, they will dissipate and eventually go away, this I know.

Yes, the treatment has helped, as far as toning down my tremors, spasms, etc.

I still get the "voodoo doll" affect, stabbing pain through the top of the head through the eye,
random muscle twitches, burning sensation randomly over my body, stabbing pain, randomly
over my body, I still have overall fatigue, the MS Hug, feeling out of breath & feeling like
passing out, and I still have blackouts, but not as often (just to mention a few of my overall symptoms).

My Q? for long term users of Rebif is, do these flu like symptoms and body aches actually
dissipate and go away, or are they a "necessary evil" (so bite the bullet and get over it)?

[sllowe]

Hi there,

I do remember you talking about the baseball bat pain you are experiencing. It's been my experience to have side affects last a few months, though I did not have them to the extreme you describe here.  

Question for you - you mention treatment is toning down spasms and tremor. Are you talking about the Rebif resolving this for you?  Or, are you taking something else for that?

Have you started anything else since diagnosis med wise?

I agree it is so difficult to sleep while in pain - something I experience too but not from the med.

-shell