Aa
Stopping avonex
Hi Everyone
I need some opinions on making a decision to stop my avonex shots.
Basically, I am tired of taking the shots and still feeling sick from reactions. I have been a pincushion with this drug for 14 years. Prior to avonex it was beta which I had to stop because of welts (no where left to inject)
Its really getting to me. I don't want to be a baby,but the shots are really getting on my nerves.
I can't tell if avonex If is doing anything. I wish I had the words to explain. I really don't feel better and I think it is because i have had this disease for so long. Any suggestions? anyone? Thanks you!!
Linda
I need some opinions on making a decision to stop my avonex shots.
Basically, I am tired of taking the shots and still feeling sick from reactions. I have been a pincushion with this drug for 14 years. Prior to avonex it was beta which I had to stop because of welts (no where left to inject)
Its really getting to me. I don't want to be a baby,but the shots are really getting on my nerves.
I can't tell if avonex If is doing anything. I wish I had the words to explain. I really don't feel better and I think it is because i have had this disease for so long. Any suggestions? anyone? Thanks you!!
Linda
What? Your doctor thinks that since you haven't had an attack in several years, you should stop taking the treatment designed to prevent attacks?? This makes zero sense to me.
I'm not necessarily an advocate of Avonex (which I took for several years), but I *am* an advocate, a big one, of fighting MS with one of the many treatments now on the market. If you were currently having problems with Avonex I'd suggest you try one of the pill treatments. As it is, I fall back on 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'
Is your doctor even a neurologist? What is his rationale for suggesting you go off Avonex? Does he think MS just goes away?
I certainly don't mean to beat on you personally, but if I were in this situation I'd be clamoring for answers and maybe switching doctors.
I'm not necessarily an advocate of Avonex (which I took for several years), but I *am* an advocate, a big one, of fighting MS with one of the many treatments now on the market. If you were currently having problems with Avonex I'd suggest you try one of the pill treatments. As it is, I fall back on 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'
Is your doctor even a neurologist? What is his rationale for suggesting you go off Avonex? Does he think MS just goes away?
I certainly don't mean to beat on you personally, but if I were in this situation I'd be clamoring for answers and maybe switching doctors.
I have been taking Avonex since 1997. The first few years were pretty bad, but I rarely have reactions anymore. I haven't had any flares for several years, so my doctor is suggesting that I stop taking the Avonex. Has anyone else
quit taking the Avonex, and what were the results?
quit taking the Avonex, and what were the results?
1 Comments
This is completely backwards. "Looks like this medication has been working well for you. Time to stop!" Is this person a neurologist? If so, I'd fire him.
I drink lots of water the day of the injection and it really helps. On days that I do not drink a lot of water I have the same flu like symptoms as everyone else. The avonex nurse originally told me about fluids and she was not kidding. I have two small children and the water helps keep me from having the "flu day".
I recently decided to switch from Avonex to Copaxone. I was on Avonex since '97 and had come to the end of my rope as far as losing a day every week. I have been on Copaxone since the end of April and there are negatives, i.e. the site reactions (itchy, swelling) BUT I just keep telling myself I am not sick a day a week, I don't lose a day a week, and that makes me able to handle it.
Good Luck
Good Luck
I would really like to talk to you since both of us have been at this for a long time. Can I post my hotmail address on here for you?
Lettie in NE
Lettie in NE
Has anyone stopped Avonex without bad results? I've been with it for 13 years & want so badly to stop the shots. My first time with numbness in an arm was in '78 then nothing until '96. No other flare ups, just weaker legs, tingling, etc. Who's to say I won't go that long without an episode without the shots. It's a preventative med. Doesn't "fix" anything. Tired of being sick part of each week & my legs are getting really hard to get the needle through the skin.
1 Comments
Hi,I've been taking Avonex for 4 years and decided to quit. I'm especially worried about its long term side effects. I wonder if you experienced any problem after you stopped taking Avonex. Any attacks, etc?
Hi Linda,
I too have been taking Avonex for a long time, over fifteen years (since June 96 to be exact). With me I no longer have any side effects. It is difficult to tell if the drug is working since I too don't feel a whole lot better. I did have an MRI several years ago which showed no new lesions. Perhaps you should get a followup MRI to help determine if Avonex is working.
I already am resigned to the fact that I will be on Avonex indefinitely. However, If I had troublesome side effects every week I would probably quit though. Then it probably is not worth it.
Its been well over a year since your post; you probably already decided. But in case you haven't I hope this has helped.
I too have been taking Avonex for a long time, over fifteen years (since June 96 to be exact). With me I no longer have any side effects. It is difficult to tell if the drug is working since I too don't feel a whole lot better. I did have an MRI several years ago which showed no new lesions. Perhaps you should get a followup MRI to help determine if Avonex is working.
I already am resigned to the fact that I will be on Avonex indefinitely. However, If I had troublesome side effects every week I would probably quit though. Then it probably is not worth it.
Its been well over a year since your post; you probably already decided. But in case you haven't I hope this has helped.
Hi Linda --
I have also been on Avonex for a long time (since 1997) and I also lose a day every week. I have feelings very similar to yours and I have to admit that I do take weeks off because I just get more depressed knowing that every Satuday I am going to be sick. I think all the time about going off, but my husband (who is incredibly supportive) just keeps encouraging me. My dad had primary progressive (I have relapsing/remitting) and he tells me all the time, "what do you think your dad's life would have been like if he had this drug" which brings me back to trying to be grateful for having a medication.
I wish you the best, and know that you are not alone in the feelings of wanting to give up.
Good Luck
I have also been on Avonex for a long time (since 1997) and I also lose a day every week. I have feelings very similar to yours and I have to admit that I do take weeks off because I just get more depressed knowing that every Satuday I am going to be sick. I think all the time about going off, but my husband (who is incredibly supportive) just keeps encouraging me. My dad had primary progressive (I have relapsing/remitting) and he tells me all the time, "what do you think your dad's life would have been like if he had this drug" which brings me back to trying to be grateful for having a medication.
I wish you the best, and know that you are not alone in the feelings of wanting to give up.
Good Luck
read your problem i have also been on avonex for last 5 years but apart from this i have been taking the following which has helped me greatly these are basically antioxidents but you can give it a try 1) coq 10 30mg one bd
2) modalert or modafinil 200 mg twice a day. 3) lycopane and grape seed extract twice a day
2) modalert or modafinil 200 mg twice a day. 3) lycopane and grape seed extract twice a day
You aren't the first person to ask why meds like Avonex aren't available in pill form. Truelove47, your answer that Avonex is a "live" drug is somewhat confusing. What do you mean by "live"?
Avonex is composed of a protein (http://www.rxlist.com/avonex-drug.htm) and, like other proteins, can only work within a very small range of conditions (ie pH, temperature). As the stomach is a fairly acidic environment, proteins will denature (fall apart) and so Avonex would be rendered useless.
That said, there is a therapy available in pill form (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429205613.htm). Called "cladribine", it may very well be the first treatment for MS that does not involve regular injections.
I take Avonex once a week and, even after 7 1/2 years, still get the unpredictable, nasty side-effects. Taking Tylenol usually works to stave off such flu-like side effects but even that doesn't always work.
Hang in there, is all I can say.
Avonex is composed of a protein (http://www.rxlist.com/avonex-drug.htm) and, like other proteins, can only work within a very small range of conditions (ie pH, temperature). As the stomach is a fairly acidic environment, proteins will denature (fall apart) and so Avonex would be rendered useless.
That said, there is a therapy available in pill form (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429205613.htm). Called "cladribine", it may very well be the first treatment for MS that does not involve regular injections.
I take Avonex once a week and, even after 7 1/2 years, still get the unpredictable, nasty side-effects. Taking Tylenol usually works to stave off such flu-like side effects but even that doesn't always work.
Hang in there, is all I can say.
lu
I have slowly progressed and the second to last mri showed 15 lesions. I didn't ask if they were new (Its like I don't want to know) I also have spinal lesions and bulged
discs in cervical spine. spasms are a big problem, My neuro calls me ms stoic.
I try to stay positive, but sometimes have a pity party also. Clinical findings show changes, but I believe is due to the length of time I have had this. It appears I can't take sub Q injections because of sensitivty. thanks for resonding. be well Linda
I have slowly progressed and the second to last mri showed 15 lesions. I didn't ask if they were new (Its like I don't want to know) I also have spinal lesions and bulged
discs in cervical spine. spasms are a big problem, My neuro calls me ms stoic.
I try to stay positive, but sometimes have a pity party also. Clinical findings show changes, but I believe is due to the length of time I have had this. It appears I can't take sub Q injections because of sensitivty. thanks for resonding. be well Linda
HI Linda, Fourteen years is a long time! I can see why you are tired. I am tired of the shots after just 15 months. I think this constant reminder that we are truly sick is wearing on the spirit and makes us weary perhaps.
I just remind myself if I were diabetic I would take those injections so why not do it for MS?
Do your exams show that Avonex has been beneficial? Delay of progression is awfully important. But feeling sick like that once a week would be a real bummer.
Maybe a change of drugs? Or hang on a while longer and make a switch to the oral meds that are due soon.
Just a few thought from me -
be well,
Lulu
I just remind myself if I were diabetic I would take those injections so why not do it for MS?
Do your exams show that Avonex has been beneficial? Delay of progression is awfully important. But feeling sick like that once a week would be a real bummer.
Maybe a change of drugs? Or hang on a while longer and make a switch to the oral meds that are due soon.
Just a few thought from me -
be well,
Lulu
Hi again,
LA..........yes the flu like symptoms are still with me after all this time. I lose a day
a day or so every week feeling sickly.
LovemyBostons......I believe avonex is a live drug, that is why it has to be . injected Also it has to be injected into a muscle (IM) intramuscular
Wobbs...........Thank you, I understand your situation
I will talk to neuro for help Thank you Linda
LA..........yes the flu like symptoms are still with me after all this time. I lose a day
a day or so every week feeling sickly.
LovemyBostons......I believe avonex is a live drug, that is why it has to be . injected Also it has to be injected into a muscle (IM) intramuscular
Wobbs...........Thank you, I understand your situation
I will talk to neuro for help Thank you Linda
I went from Avonex to Beta.
I am having site reactions from the Beta also but I feel much better than I did on Avonex. Very mild flu like symptoms compared to Avonex.
Knowing what to do it very difficult.
LA
I am having site reactions from the Beta also but I feel much better than I did on Avonex. Very mild flu like symptoms compared to Avonex.
Knowing what to do it very difficult.
LA
Wow, I'm impressed that you've been on it for so long. Have your MRIs shown any improvement since you've been on it?
I'm sorry that you feel like a pin cushion. Why can't they just have these meds in a pill form??
I'm sorry that you feel like a pin cushion. Why can't they just have these meds in a pill form??
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