Taking Avonex injection when sick??

[LATW]

Do you still take your injection when you are already sick?

I am due to take my 3rd injection of Avonex tomorrow evening but we have the flu here.

So far I am ok but I feel just a bit like I could be getting sick. But that may also be side effects from the last Avonex injection.  

My 11 year old son woke up with a temp of 103 today. He had a swab done at the doctors office and it came back positive for the flu.

My 9 year old is running a temp of 101.  The other 3 kids are ok....so far.


Do you still take your shot when you are actually sick?

LA

[gollie]

HI La;

I hope that soon you and the family will be feeling better.

I cant answer on the avonex question, As I will be starting
copaxone this week end.

Have you called the Avonex Co. And asked about that?

                               All My Best Gollie

[Heather3418]

Even though you already feel like ****, YES you still take your Avonex shot.  I know that it's probably going to be a difficult one with your flu-like side-effects already HAVING the flu, but you need to keep a constant level of the Interferon in your system.

I know that's not what you wanted to hear...I'm sorry.  But yes, you need to take your shot on schedule.  Hope you are doing a little better with your injections.  Hang in there honey.  We are all hoping that you get better.

Heather

[Heather3418]

For all that are taking the DMD's, please remember that even when you are not feeling well from something else, you need to keep on your injection schedule unless your doctor tells you otherwise.  Keeping a consistent level of your medication in your system is what works best for preventing relapses of your MS.

Heather

[LATW]

Gollie,

Thank you.  

I am grateful it is Friday and my husband will be home all day tomorrow and Sunday to help out with the kids.  

The oldest one is almost better.

I have one with a temp today and another just starting the stuffy nose.

I feel like YUCK! Let me know how your shot goes.

Heather,
Thank you. I was wondering what to do.

Not like it makes a huge difference I guess since I already feel like I have the flu.  

The one thing that I don't mind about Avonex is it makes me tired.

That way I can sleep!!  I ahve still been able to function somewhat normally on the day after the injection.  

I can go for a ride in the van and into the store for a very short period of time. I think that is a good sign.

I am due to go to the full dose tonight, however, I have decided to do 3/4 dose for two weeks and then go to the full amount.

I am feeling much more at ease and confident about this than I was last week.  
Thanks so much!  

La

[Quixotic1]

Yes, definitely take the AVonex even when you are sick.  Remember that the Interferons are not immune-suppressants the way chemotherapy is.  They suppress a very specific part of the immune system that affects the MS disease process.  People taking the Interferons are NOT at more risk for other kinds of infections.  

The fact that you are sick with an in fection, though, means you are at more risk for a relapse.  All the more reason to keep taking the shot and get it up to speed.

Quix

[LATW]

Thanks for explaining.  I wondered if it was immune suppressing.  

I was on Methotrexate for a while a few years ago and was sick ALL of the time!

It is good to know Avonex does not work in the same way.