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Avonex users--feedback please
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Hi, I was diagnosed in January w/MS. Happy New Year, right? Neuro gave me two weeks to research some meds & choose one. I chose Avonex mainly because it was 1x week & injected into the muscle.
So a couple weeks go past & my symptoms subside for a couple of days, but then it is as if I haven't taken a darn thing! Then I'm told it takes 4-8 weeks to really feel the effects & it isn't meant to be a cure. Really, Einstein? Duh! There is no cure! I just want something to help me keep a friggin' job & allow me to write with my right hand again so it doesn't look like a 2 year old wrote it! Oh, and grocery shopping w/o being completely exhausted afterwards would be nice too. LOL Sorry, had to vent there for a moment. Thanks for listening. Has anyone had good/bad/ugly results from Avones? Do I give it longer or do I ask the Neuro to switch meds? I kinda feel like a lab rat & I don't approve of animal testing in any way!!! Any advice? Ms. T Any help Posted on 04/28/12, 02:56 am |
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I no longer use the Avonex drug, however I thought I'd tell you my experience with it. I was on it for 1 1/2 years. I got flu like symptoms the night of the injection, and they lasted for that night, and into the next day.
I usually took an Aleeve the hour before I would inject, and an Advil within 4 hours after the injection. If the flu stuff was bad, I'd switch back and forth between those two drugs throughout the night. The flu junk lasted for the full 1 1/2 years that I was on Avonex. Never got better. I finally got switched over to Tysabri. (no longer able to be on that, due to JC Virus positive tho). Now onto Copaxone. I wish you the best with the Avonex journey! 
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I have no experience with it but I was told by my neuro he didn't feel it was suitable ..his words were it is an older drug and not that effective. I was given a choice too and he put Betaforen , Rebif and Copaxone on the table with Gilenya and Tsaybri to look at if the initial treatment doesnt work well..Iniatially I chose Copaxone but he steered me towards Betaforen saying that as it is mixed just prior to use it maybe less painful to administer eg . room temperature.I was told flu like symtoms are sommon with them. I have read heaps on here and it is still all confusing.I start on Betaforen next week. I wish you well.
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I kinda have a GOOD comment of Avonex.
Yes I've had a couple relapses while I was taking Avonex last year; but I was under terriable stresses that caused the MS to flare like that. Things like the death of my VERY close dear uncle, a "massive heart attack" from my fatha, aNOTHER friends wedding (sorry to sound bitter here), the stress of going through and FAILING to buy a house... But through all those things I actually DID NOT develop ON or have TN creep up on me either. You see, it really seemed that I should have had 5 MS flare ups or more with those harsh things, I JUST had 3 fairly small ones! No hospital stays and NO going blind in one eye!! My neuro really thinks it is the Avonex that helped me to stay "stable" through those stressful times. Even though the relapses and the flu- like symptoms are still with me after all these years; I kinda say to stick with it. It IS just once a week to have to bother with the needles. Hope things work out
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I think you need to give it a little longer for all side effects to subside. With me it took about six months with some good weeks and some bad weeks along the way. I have remained stable with no new attacks since on Avonex.
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I have used Avonex for 2 years and i like it. If i just take 2 advil on injection day, i don't have any side effects. In the time i have been on it, i have had one flare up.
I was diagnosed in 2009 but based on my medical history my Neuro believes i have probably had MS since 1998. I get MRI's every year, and the last one saw no significant changes or hot spots. I work full time, this year (cross my fingers) i have not had to take any days off sick. I don't go to large grocery stores anymore!! As for you hand, were you treated with solumetrol or prenesone? I did some occupational therapy and it helped with my hand dexterity. B
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I have been on Avonex for four weeks now. I drink plenty of liquids the day of my shot. I lay my shot out two hours before I inject it and I also take 600 mg ibuprofen before my shot. After I inject my shot I lay in bed for about two hours. I usually get up and take a warm bath. After that I am fine. No side effects. I do take tylenol and ibuprofen every four hours after my shot until the next morning. I would give it a few more weeks and see what happens.
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