I started my CRAB treatment with Copaxone and had to stop due to itchy reactions. I was then put on Avonex. Been on it for about 5 months. I'm a big woman so I don't have problems with injections. I hate the side affects that continue. I'm sick most of the week and then it's time for another shot! I also continue to progress with the MS, so I don't think Avonex is working. I've also spoken with my doctor about transferring to another treatment. The needles are big, but you can get "smaller" ones. They are still big! Avonex is manual injections. Copaxone was so easy as far as daily injections, I wish I could have stayed with that. Good luck to you in your decision. I don't think there is an easy answer to any of the treatments.

Hey, I am pretty much the same size as you 5' 3 3/4" 105 lbs. Avonex was the first one I tried almost 2 years ago. The shots themselves seemed to go well, no lumps, no bumps, etc. The reason I had to stop was because I couldn't tolerate the flu like side effects. I was sick most days of the week. I did have the smaller needle - the nurse ordered it because of my size. I didn't feel like it did anything to my muscles. I had no after effects at the shot site. I did however only have my thighs to inject into because my arms are too small- the nurse said no arms for me.

I tried Copaxone as well, but the injection site reactions weren't healing fast enough by the time I needed to return to that site. As your Dr said... I don't have enough 'real estate'... that's cute! Anyway... if you have tolerated Rebif, then it's quite possible you will tolerate Avonex. I'm sure there are others on here that have had more experience with Rebif and Avonex to shed more light.

That was just my experience as far as the Avonex shot went. No lumps, no bumps. No damage to my muscles. I was on it almost 4 months.

Take care, and good luck!

I'm recently dx (month & a half) I've given myself my 4th Avonex shot on Monday. The flu like symptoms weren't as bad as the other times, and I haven't had skin irritation issues at all. I chose Avonex 'cos one injection a week sounds better than more than one a week - I don't like injections!
It's working OK for me.

I used 2 take Avonex and like others, the side effects would last pretty much until the next injection.My issue was the size of the needle too, it was hard 2 inject. The side effects f for them or what doesnt. or me got worse. But most people tolerate it well for the most part.
I switched 2 Copaxone, which was so easy cuz the needle is thin and inject under the skin, but its everyday and still, the same side effects. I had a relapse on the Copaxone that lasted a very long time. Needless 2 say, I ow take Tysabri, its 1x a month and I do well with it.
You will find everyone is different and will have different opinions as 2 what works and what doesnt. Good luck!!

I am no longer on Avonex, however, I was on it for about 2 years.
I have switched over to Tysabri now.
My experience with Avonex was like others as far as the flu symptoms. I did find out that you can ask for a smaller needle than the size they usually send out. So, if you are concerned about the needle, you may wish to ask the pharmacy to give you the smaller needle.
As far as bumbs on the skin surface, I never had any bumps. I did have bruising sometimes. But, I tend to be easily bruised also.
My "flu like symptoms" lasted from about 2 hours after the injection, (I used to get the injection each night at 5:30 p.m.) and then through the night, and into about the middle of the next day. But, then I had the rest of the week to feel good!

I hope that your decision is not based out of fear, but rather out of the potential positives of how it can help slow down the disease!
good luck!

In my opinion, Avonex sucks. It was my first treatment and the side effects were intolerable. I chose it because it was once a week, but the convenience of once a week quickly wore off when it would take a week to recover from the previous shot. Not to mention the fact that I continued to develop new lesions while on Avonex. Needless to say I moved on to better things.

#6 what did you move on to?

Ichoppel, after Avonex I switched to Copaxone because I heard it had no side effects. It didn't have side effects, but I grew weary taking a shot every day and then one day I had an allergic reaction to it where I broke into hives so severe I needed to go to the emergency room.

After that incident with Copaxone, I switched to Rebif, but couldn't keep up with the injections because I was mentally exhausted with the process and experienced new MS symptoms, so my neuro put me on Tysabri.

I was on Tysabri for two years and that was two very happy years. Three hours once a month for the infusion was very convenient and I had no side effects or MS progression during that time.

Earlier this year, my neuro suggested I take a drug holiday from Tysabri where I would go back on Rebif for six months to see if I was in a state of remission. It seems like this is a theory some neuros are trying so I agreed or maybe I felt I was getting too close to the PML high risk zone of more than 24 infusions and wanted to take a step back from it. So that's where I'm at today.

But anyway, back to brianap, something else to consider is that when I was on Avonex it was intramuscular (IM) injections. I don't know if they have a subcutaneous version now, but if it is still IM you may experience soreness in the muscle that you inject in. For instance, when I would inject Avonex into my thigh, that thigh would be so sore it would hurt walking up stairs and I would sometimes walk with a limp. It felt like when I used to run as a kid and would pull a quad or hammy. Between that and the flu-like symptoms I would never go back to Avonex even if it was the last MS drug on Earth.

I have been on Avonex for 4-5 years. I don't have a problem with skin reactions to the shots, and I am 122 lbs. I am considering going off of it because of the side effects, and I don't think it ever helped me. The problem with these drugs is, there is no way of really telling if they are doing any good, or if they are making you worse. That is the nature of MS. You may get worse at any time. For the period when you don't get worse, do you attribute it to the drug, or is it just the way your MS is progressing. The only reason I have stayed on it, is I was afraid to go off. I'm getting to the point where I am tired of supporting the drug company for something that is not helping me, and may even be making me worse. There is supposed to be a blood test coming out sometime in the future, which will predict which people are most likely to be helped by the various drugs. I'm sure the drug companies won't be thrilled about that.

I've been on Avonex since 2006 and have had no problems. I have more real estate (Ha!) but after I inject I really do a good rub for a bit on the site. Sometimes my technique causes red blotchies. I think you might find the rub helpful and I always alternate. If you're thin you need to gently pinch the surface skin and inject in the pinched area then rub. I noticed bumps unde my skin until I adopted this rub. As far as reaction - the first 2-3 times I noticed the shaking and chills but I did as they said and took it at night right before bed and was never bothered. Now I've been on it so long I've had problems sleeping and gave up and got up and have never had the flu reaction. Everyone is different. Maybe the once a week would be better for your tender flesh.

Avonex made me feel like swine flu x5. It was just awful. I would feel bad wishing that on my worst enemy.

I cant handle the side effect so I went straight to Tysabri without messing around with any more interferons,,,,Barely any side effects.

After my first horrendous year on Copaxone (including not only lumps, bit severe hardening of the limps, difficulty w/ movement & resulting emotional distress) I switched to Avonex. Although true about the flu like symptoms, this is soooo much more manageable than symptoms of Copaxone. 1st, I take the injection at late evening. There is usually a 3-4 hour window b/4 I experience any symptom. One the flu like symptoms start, I have a heat pad and/or blanket, I take OTC (over the counter) meds for the flu, and do my usual praying/reading of what ever comforts me. By the next day I am symptom free and able to carry on with my life until the next week. (unlike w/ Copaxone when it took 2 - 3 days to works through the lumps, itchiness, hardening of limbs etc. BTW, I use the smaller needle. I have never experienced and site based issues. I also have found a wonderful retired nurse in a local assisted living facility who gives me the injections in exchange foe company and companionship on a weekly basis!