Aa
Starting my Avonex
Hi All -
It's me jibs. well My Avonex will be shipped to me today and I am getting get set up for my training with a nurse.
I am excited and anxious to get this process started..You have given me so much support and advice through my Limbo years - Any more you can add to make this process easier for me? I am all ears.
I understand the side effects and have my Advil ready as well as tips of drinking lots of water to keep hydrated prior to injection, injecting before bed, keeping calm but anything else from the experienced users would be welcome
Jibsy
It's me jibs. well My Avonex will be shipped to me today and I am getting get set up for my training with a nurse.
I am excited and anxious to get this process started..You have given me so much support and advice through my Limbo years - Any more you can add to make this process easier for me? I am all ears.
I understand the side effects and have my Advil ready as well as tips of drinking lots of water to keep hydrated prior to injection, injecting before bed, keeping calm but anything else from the experienced users would be welcome
Jibsy
Thank You! I am psyching myself up :o) I hate needles but need to suck it up and know I NEED to do this.
Have a Wonderful Easter! I will let you know how I do!
Jibs
Have a Wonderful Easter! I will let you know how I do!
Jibs
You sound motivated and proactive - I'm sure you'll do just fine! Good luck, and Happy Easter!
It's usually best to rotate injection locations. I usually do L-Arm, R-Arm, L-Leg, R-Leg. Funny things is, I find it easier to inject into my arms. I'm not really sure why. I was thinking that maybe it's because the skin on my thighs is more sensitive. ?????
Hi Everyone,
Thanks So much for the info. My nurse called me last night and gave me some awesome tips too. She will be coming out next Monday at 2 for my first injection. YAY!
I look forward to seeing how this will effect me and having the day and time to see exactly how to time everything so I can plan it.
Thanks a bunch and I will definately let you know how it goes!
Jibs
Thanks So much for the info. My nurse called me last night and gave me some awesome tips too. She will be coming out next Monday at 2 for my first injection. YAY!
I look forward to seeing how this will effect me and having the day and time to see exactly how to time everything so I can plan it.
Thanks a bunch and I will definately let you know how it goes!
Jibs
I've heard that Avonex peaks with the flu like symptoms in 12-15 hours after your injection. I hope you can time that shot accordingly so you can sleep through the worst. Be sure to play with your timing in the day until you find the best cycle for you.
Like Sidesteps I was also weaned on. I took 1/4 of the shot the first week, 1/2 the next week, 3/4 the third week and finally the fourth week I took a full dose. After a year of injecting, I have yet to have any real side-effects other than than one time and it was completely my fault. Many people have side effects, but many people don't. It's different for everyone. Taking the proper precautions help avoid major side-effects.
Thanks Everyone!!!!!!! I know I will do great! I will follow these tips!
Sidesteps, not sure if I am titrating...curious.
I will try to stick to my legs only..not fond of shots in arm but think legs will be easier to deal with so that's good. Waiting for nurse to call me back as we speak.
Keep you posted
Thanks everyone
Jibs
Sidesteps, not sure if I am titrating...curious.
I will try to stick to my legs only..not fond of shots in arm but think legs will be easier to deal with so that's good. Waiting for nurse to call me back as we speak.
Keep you posted
Thanks everyone
Jibs
Jibby,
Are you titrating up like I am? I only took a 1/4 of the shot. This week will be 1/2 then 3/4 then the full dose. My doctor has indicated this helps with acclimating. I was informed my the nurse that my doctor has been doing it this way for a very very long time....and it has just recently been approved to titrate up by the higher ups... it is clear other doctors/nurses have not made this recommendation. I would ask about this.
Also, my nurse informed me that we still want to rotate injection sites and she has found that if you keep the shots to your legs that it helps with the side affects. She isn't sure why but more people experience side affects when they use their arms. I am going to stay on my legs.
BTW: I had a little shot mark for two days after, no redness, no irritation and only a slight pseudo-flare the next day. My body is rather sensitive right now though so who knows if it was the shot or something else.
I am thinking of you. (((Hugs)))
Are you titrating up like I am? I only took a 1/4 of the shot. This week will be 1/2 then 3/4 then the full dose. My doctor has indicated this helps with acclimating. I was informed my the nurse that my doctor has been doing it this way for a very very long time....and it has just recently been approved to titrate up by the higher ups... it is clear other doctors/nurses have not made this recommendation. I would ask about this.
Also, my nurse informed me that we still want to rotate injection sites and she has found that if you keep the shots to your legs that it helps with the side affects. She isn't sure why but more people experience side affects when they use their arms. I am going to stay on my legs.
BTW: I had a little shot mark for two days after, no redness, no irritation and only a slight pseudo-flare the next day. My body is rather sensitive right now though so who knows if it was the shot or something else.
I am thinking of you. (((Hugs)))
Your excited attitude about starting the DMD, coupled with your quest for more information, leaves me confident that you will do well.
Ojibajo offers some excellent advice, some of which I should even follow more religiously. However, as I start my ninth year of injections this week, my body has become more forgiving of a little caffeine or not enough water. And over time I've moved injection days/times/locations with confidence. My side effects have been quite manageable, and I hope yours are equally so.
That said, from my experience and that of many others, the side effects of the first shot are particularly nasty. In fact, for the first couple of months I remember telling people that the side effects I was feeling on Saturdays were worse than the symptoms of the disease. Please don’t let those rough side effects early (if you have them) get you down.
Don’t get me wrong, I hate weekly injections, but ultimately they have been good to me. Ask questions anytime!
Late add after sllowe’s comment: yes, please have someone with you at the training, for the reason she mentions and also so that you can have a shot in the arm when you want to use those sites. Other times, you’ll be sick (MS or otherwise) and it will be a blessing to have someone that can relieve you. If they aren’t able to give you shots, at least they can help you remember any advice the nurse gives you.
Ojibajo offers some excellent advice, some of which I should even follow more religiously. However, as I start my ninth year of injections this week, my body has become more forgiving of a little caffeine or not enough water. And over time I've moved injection days/times/locations with confidence. My side effects have been quite manageable, and I hope yours are equally so.
That said, from my experience and that of many others, the side effects of the first shot are particularly nasty. In fact, for the first couple of months I remember telling people that the side effects I was feeling on Saturdays were worse than the symptoms of the disease. Please don’t let those rough side effects early (if you have them) get you down.
Don’t get me wrong, I hate weekly injections, but ultimately they have been good to me. Ask questions anytime!
Late add after sllowe’s comment: yes, please have someone with you at the training, for the reason she mentions and also so that you can have a shot in the arm when you want to use those sites. Other times, you’ll be sick (MS or otherwise) and it will be a blessing to have someone that can relieve you. If they aren’t able to give you shots, at least they can help you remember any advice the nurse gives you.
HI Jibsy,
Definitely have someone join you with the training. That way, if you get apprehensive at some point about injecting you have a fill-in to do it correctly for you. That can happen to even the best of us at any given time. Sometimes too fine motor skills can be off, so for that purpose - good to have someone else take the reigns.
Wishing you an excellent nurse :) And, feel free to ask them even the toughest of questions - I did, lol And, nurse was more than happy to answer.
(((Hugs))
shell
Definitely have someone join you with the training. That way, if you get apprehensive at some point about injecting you have a fill-in to do it correctly for you. That can happen to even the best of us at any given time. Sometimes too fine motor skills can be off, so for that purpose - good to have someone else take the reigns.
Wishing you an excellent nurse :) And, feel free to ask them even the toughest of questions - I did, lol And, nurse was more than happy to answer.
(((Hugs))
shell
Best of luck. I'm on Avonex. It's by no means a piece of cake, but it is a lot easier than I thought it would be. I have had very few side effects if any.
My recommendations:
Inject a few hours before bedtime (I find that between 6-8pm works best for me) so that you can sleep through any side effects.
Take Motrin or Aleve an hour before injecting. (I take prescription strength)
Do not drink any caffeine the day before, day of, or day after injecting if you can help it and drink LOTS of water - approx 32oz./day. This drug will dehydrate you, but if you stay hydrated, you should have no problem.
The only time that I ever had a problem. I injected at about 11pm because I forgot. I actually had gone to bed and got back up to inject. I didn't drink enough water that day and drank Coke that day. I forgot to take Aleve or Motrin an hour before. I woke up with THE WORSE body aches and a migraine from H-E- Double hockey sticks!
Other than that I have been on it for about a year and other than an occasional bruise, I really haven't had any trouble.
Oh and my last MRI was stable too. I could be luck or the Avonex could be working. :)
Good Luck!
Good Luck
My recommendations:
Inject a few hours before bedtime (I find that between 6-8pm works best for me) so that you can sleep through any side effects.
Take Motrin or Aleve an hour before injecting. (I take prescription strength)
Do not drink any caffeine the day before, day of, or day after injecting if you can help it and drink LOTS of water - approx 32oz./day. This drug will dehydrate you, but if you stay hydrated, you should have no problem.
The only time that I ever had a problem. I injected at about 11pm because I forgot. I actually had gone to bed and got back up to inject. I didn't drink enough water that day and drank Coke that day. I forgot to take Aleve or Motrin an hour before. I woke up with THE WORSE body aches and a migraine from H-E- Double hockey sticks!
Other than that I have been on it for about a year and other than an occasional bruise, I really haven't had any trouble.
Oh and my last MRI was stable too. I could be luck or the Avonex could be working. :)
Good Luck!
Good Luck
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