Any Advice Or Experience On Avonex?

[Erin0313]

The Cleveland Clinic Doctor Wants to start me on Avonex in the next couple of weeks and follow me here in Cleveland from now on. She feels that all of my problems are either MS or various meds that the doctors have given me in the past. No Sjogren's etc. ? Wow

I was on Copaxone and it didn't work but am willing to try anything if it will stop this progression. 3 neuro's in the last 5 months with 3 different opinions. Rituxan, IVIG & now Avonex. I know that I have seen lots of you on it so please share your thoughts when you get a minute please.

Going to the neuro-opthamologist in the morning and then back home for Thursdays MRI's.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Talk to you soon

Hugs,
Erin :)

[LATW]

I am requesting/demanding another medication.  I am tired of feeling sick and dreading the weekend.
I know I am being bad and not encouraging but there are other options.

LA

[sllowe]

Yea, I hear ya.  Especially the headache.  Suck it up would ya! (You did ask me to say that right?)

Seriously, if it's any consolation - I'm dreading my injection too.  I've stopped and started a couple times now and I'm fairly sick having to get use to it.

I'm going to pop some advil and just do it.  You with me?

Wah,
shell

[Erin0313]

  Well this is a bummer! I have only done 2 injections ( still a newbie :) and I think the side effects are brutal. I inject Friday night at bed so that it doesn't hit me during the week and I won't miss work.

It feels like my whole weekend is devoted to feeling like **** and then Monday back to work and start again. I have chills, night sweats, fatigue and terrible bone/muscle pain for about 36 hours yuck! My copaxone didn't do this but it also didn't stop my progession.

I am sorry that you are both still suffering the side effects 4 months and 1+ year later. I hope that it is doing it's job and stopping you from getting worse.

I think I need a pep talk from someone! It's Monday and I am already dreading Friday because of the shot. Sllowe if you are out there - tell me to suck it up would ya, lol.

Hugs,
Erin :)

[LATW]

I have been on Avonex for over a year and still have side effects.  

They are not as bad as they were but still miserable.  I have had it.

Last night when my husband gave me my injection my muscle had a spasm and tightened up.

It push the needle half way out and he has to push it back in again.

I am done with it.  I see my new doctor, my other ms doctor retired, in two weeks.

LA

[Vat69]

I'm up to about my 18th shot of Avonex this week. The acute flu-like symptoms are over in about half a day, I can manage that. What I find much, so much,  more challenging is the fatigue, headaches, wierd unpleasant alien feelings that last the next 2 days at least.  Of course I take ibuprofin, ASA, etc. but they have limited effect.  Anyone experience this, have suggestions? Do these uglier sympotms diminnish with time. I would have thought that after 4+ months the symptoms would have diminished more than they have. .

[sllowe]

You got it! Just so long as you are willing to return the butt kicking when I need it!

lol....
(((hugs)))
-smarty-pants