Question about Avonex

[DaphneJ]

For those that take Avonex, how bad have the flu like symptoms been for you? I had been on Copaxone and just recently stopped because I have had it with the huge welts and lumps the size of eggs. I am tempted to just take a see how it goes attitude since my MS seems to be mild and not do the DMD's for the time being. My neuro brought up Avonex and told me about the flu like symptoms and I don't know if that or the welts and lumps are worse?

[coach291]

Currently on my 5th week of avonex. Took Capoxone for awhile (didnt work), switched to Beta(which made me very sick) and currently taking the Avonex route. My body must be very sensitive to the interferons. I get real bad sympotoms within a couple of hours after the injection. Take aleve ato make it go away but I am sick most of the weekend. Everyone responds different to these types of drugs. Good luck.

[Sidesteps]

I did for the first couple months have skin sensitivity, where my skin felt like someone was rubbing an abrasive cloth if touched, and some times a mild temperature, fatigue with joint pain. It was very mild and nothing too concerning or couldn't sleep through. :)

[Sidesteps]

I started Avonex in March, I think two weeks before Jibby.

My experience has been excellent as well. I am actually probably the worst offender here about fluid in take and taking medication.  My typical routine is my normal fluids during the day. I don't go out of my way to drink more. I take 600 mg of ibuprophen when I take my shot. not sooner and nothing the next day. I have had NO side affects except an occassional mild headache that may actually be allergies. I honestly couldn't feel luckier.

[sllowe]

HI there,

I'm on an interferon, and the side affects for me are nothing compared to the flu. I echo all that's been said, i.e., lots of water, titration w/the med, etc. Hope it serves you well :)

You may find once a week, no lumps, and mild symptoms a complete breath of fresh air :)
-shell

[maxthecat43]

I took Avonex for several .  I just took ibuprofen before I injected- and throughout the next day, and drank lots of fluids.  Then I didn't think about it again until it was injection time the following week.  It wasn't a big deal.  Has your doctor recommended the switch?

[jibjen]

Hello,


I have been on Avonex since April and I second what Jacksmom said..Drink lots of water AND take your Aleve..sometimes if I forget the Aleve, I get a fever and achy...but otherwise I am doing good with it.


Jibs

[TLC_31]

I’ve used Avonex for more than eight years, and the flu-like side effects haven’t stopped me yet. The needle gets old — and I briefly tried Gilenya as a result — but I am otherwise very satisfied with my course of treatment.

Others (such as Jacksmom) my have it better than I do. Others certainly have it worse, even to the point that they stop the medicine. In general, however, I think the side effects are overstated, and I think you should attack your MS with something, even if the MS is mild, so your chances of keeping it mild are better. In my case, my MS is invisible to most.

After the first couple of shots, which I took Friday evenings, I awoke with chills in the night, and I felt icky for the rest of the weekend. Worth noting is that I did not titrate, and that is a much more common thing to do these days.

Even a month or two later, when people asked how I was feeling, I remember saying that the side effects felt worse than the disease. These days, my routine of two Tylenol in the evening, then a shot, and then two Tylenol at bedtime seems to cover me. Sometimes I fall asleep before that next dose of Tylenol and I wake up in the middle of the night feeling crummy, or maybe I let myself get too dehydrated, but even then I haven’t curtailed any Saturday plans. And sometimes I’ve injected on other evenings, even on a couple of mornings, with no disabling effects.

The first shot or two after my Gilenya experiment also were followed by somewhat more severe side effects, which I hadn’t been expecting, but they still weren’t disabling.

Ask questions anytime!

[bettebelle]

I started avonex in December. The side effects weren't nearly as bad as the mail order pharmacy made it sound. I must of gotten lucky :)

After being on avonex for a few months the little flu like symptoms I did have went away. I was able to tell that sleep the night that you give the shop is VERY important! I also recommend lots of water if you don't already drink a lot. I also swore by aleve

[Jacksmom516]

I have been on Avonex since February -  and I have never had any real symptoms to speak of.  I titrated up to a full dose and if you drink plenty of water and -pre-medicate -  I use Aleve the night before the morning of and the night I take my shot -  drink lots of water and have been good.  If I forget Aleve or at the least acetominophen I get a headache but that has been it.  I have been on the pen for two months now and have been super happy with that!

Hope this helps!