Avonex Side Effects

[raerae143]

Hi!
I'm an MS patient. I was diagnosed at 22 and am now 28. So, for 6 years I've tried a lot of MS therapies. I've done the Rebiff, Betaseron, and 1 other that I don't even remember the name of. Anyways, I started taking Avonex. This coming up week will be my 5th injection. I have suffered through the fever, the body aches, let me make that severe muscle pains, abdominal pains, and the list goes on. The one side effect that is really worrying me is the depression. I have never been so depressed in my life. In fact I have never been what I would call depressed. I've have some really hard times but I've always been able to push through. Now I can't even get up to go to work. I cry over everything. I'm not a crier. The only thing different I've done in the past month is start Avonex. I'm already on an anti-depressant. I'm not having suicidal thoughts or anything but, does anybody have any suggestions? I can not take this injection if it's going to alter my life this much. I'd rather worry about my MS later and enjoy my life now.
Thanks
Rachel

[sllowe]

Hmmmmm Well, it's definitely one of the warnings on the label. Please talk to your doctor about this. I can only imagine your frustration over it all.

Unfortunately, later stages of MS are less treatable, if not untreatable where disease modifiers are concerned.  Like Ericag (welcome to you Ericag) above mentions perhaps tysabri may be a consideration. Or, Gilenya.

Since you are only on week 5 - definitely do not rule out the possibility that anti depressant may need adjusting, or age, or other factors contributing..

Hope to help, and sure do hope this passes and you can continue to treat this beast. Welcome to the forum. See you around,
-shell

[ericag45]

hello,
I have also had severe depression with avonex.  I was put on an antidepressant and it did help a little.  The only way I can describe it was this totally flat feeling.  My doctors said it was the MS making me so depressed but it just wasn't getting any better and I was so tired of feeling that way.  I remember even crying while I was driving alone for no reason.  Finally I put my foot down and demanded to be put on a new medication so my neuro started Tysabri,  It has been the best thing that ever happened to me.  I have so much energy and absolutely no depression.  However, I have continued to have MS flare ups as I have an aggressive form of MS but I am so glad that I feel better.  Good Luck!
Eng45

[TLC_31]

Yes, depression is a side effect of Avonex. It is also a general symptom of MS, but in your case it is very telling that it has intensified in the last few weeks. Please alert your neurologist and perhaps your PCP (whoever prescribed the antidepressant).

Depression is also a side effect of the other interferons, so I'm left curious if you felt that with Rebif and Betaseron. You can try Copaxone if you haven't already, or you might ask about Gilenya or Tysabri, and a couple of other drugs are only about a year or two from the market.

Worth nothing is that the flu-like side effects of Avonex often are less troubling after the first few weeks or months, but I've never seen anyone suggest that the mood-related side effects dissipate.

[saucygrl]

Have you talked to your doctor about the depression?  I looked it up and it can be a side effect of Avonex.  It's not something I would wait and see about.  I've dealt with depression before so I understand how horrible it can be.  I currently take an antidepressant and wouldn't want to live without it.  

Best wishes
Chris