???Betaferon???

[landainc]

Hi Folks,

I've been absent for a while. I hope everyone is ok. I am hanging in there. Well I had a major scare when my nuero sent me for some blood tests, and 'something' came back positive stating Lupus! But I'm good now, there's no Lupus just MS! :-)

Well I'm suppose to start taking/injecting Betaferon in the next week or two. Anyone who maybe using this drug and could provide me with me views on how it's working and any reactions to the drug, it would be appreciated. I've been reading up on it and the Liver problems and weakening of the immune system is raising some eyebrows with me.

~Landa~

[landainc]

I am feeling otherwise, expect when ut's rainy and cold, I get 'happy nerves'. I twitch and ache like crazy. The med is working cause I'm not feling the pins & needles in my hand like before..

Thanks so much :-)

~Landa~

[sllowe]

Hi there,

I'm on Rebif, same family of meds, only little difference and dosing schedule.

Your doc may have already ordered labs with your workup and once you start taking the beta, he/she will run them periodically. Usually w/in the 1st 3 months at first to keep an eye on your liver and blood counts.

It's the whole benefit outweighing the possible side affects like other meds. The nurse should give you some good injection techniques for minimal side affects.

I'm glad you are treating the disease and I've said it here before but will say again, I've heard so much good about the beta and a well known top doc in NJ most always prescribes it for MSers.

Thanks for coming back! How are you feeling?

-Shell

[landainc]

Thank you very much.I started on the 23/07, taking a shot every other day. I've been sticking my tighs and lower abs and I have these HUGE RED ITCHY spots especially on my tighs and I got that from the very first injection. There's this 'rashy' look on the spot and it's really really red! I take 1x500mg Paracetamol and that works. Once I forgot and that was a mess! Won't ever forget that ever again!!

How the nurse showed me to inject was by sort of pinching the area together and then injecting, is that correct? I can't inject my rump...you're brave, kudos! :-) I'm still struggling with my thighs and ab, I'm a chicken with needles, I HATE THEM! Lol!!!

[Fizzum]

Hi

I started injecting Betaferon soon after I was diagnosed at Christmas 2009, so it's been a few months now.

Like Ginosmommy, I do get the red discolouration/bruising at my injection sites, but I limit my 'stick points' to areas I don't generally put on show (like my lower belly, rump and top of my thighs)! The bruising fades after about 6 weeks, and as my injection technique improves, so the welts appear less angry. I'll try the icing tip though!

I also take paracetamol (2 x 500mg) and ibuprofen (2 x 200mg) when I inject (in the evening) and again 12 hours later and I find this wipes out any flu-like symptoms that may occur as a side-effect. My MS nurse and GP say to carry on with this for a couple  more months, by which time I could try not taking the tablets and see how I go.

I had a 3-month liver function test and although the numbers were elevated, neither my GP or neuro are concerned at this stage and we'll continue to monitor every 3 months.

Seriously though, everything I hear about the efficacy of Betaferon, especially if you begin injecting in the early stages of the disease, makes me more and more sure that I'm on the right drug.

Hope that helps

xx

[landainc]

Thank you Mel' appreciate it. Well I'd see how mine goes. I'd use some of your techniques though like icing the injection site after and moisturizing it as well.

Well take care of yourself and have a great weekend.


Hugs & Kisses
~Landa~

Ps. from your pic and name I'm guessing that you have a son name Gino?

[Ginosmommy]

I am on Extavia (same but different name) and the only issue I have had since starting it in March are the welts. No liver issues, no immune problems, no real flu like symtoms to speak of (I do take naproxen/aleve right after the shot and I take the shot right before bed to avoid any yucky feelings)

I have been icing the areas after the shot which has helped with the welts as well as putting a really good moisterizer on it after my shower in the morning (I also get really strange scaley skin where the injection site is, which has been documented with the drug company as well as the welts because of the sheer size of mine - they got as big as saucers on my arms, but don't be alarmed that is the only place I had really bad reactions and I don't use my arms anymore!)

I don't have as much fatigue anymore but if I overdo it I still feel like jelly and have issues! I have yet to see how it is truely helping because I don't have a follow up with my neuro until July 26th and I won't have a follow up MRI for another 2-3 months after that. I still have many symtoms that have followed me around but overall it is supposed to slow progress not solve all our problems so I will just have to wait and see on my next MRI!

MeLissa