Hi,
I just saw my MS doctor early this month. She told me I could try a different medication if I want.
I am not so sure I want to go on something else though because other than these side effects Avonex is ok.
I feel very strong flu-like symptoms for about 48 hours after the injection then they start to wear off. That is what is making me wonder now if what I am feeling the rest of the week might be more MS related pain and stiffness.
I am going to call my MS doctor back and ask. Thanks for your reply. Maybe I'll get this whole thing sorted out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Av8rgirl
Hi LA
I've not been on Avonex, but I was on Betaseron, another interferon. I had flu-like symptoms, aches, pains, felt like I'd been run over by a truck for about the first 6 months while I was adjusting to the medication. I tend to be a bit med sensitive so it did take a tad bit longer to get used to it than most people.
However, after each shot, which is every other day, I did have some reaction. I was on it for 4 years. I premedicated with Motrin (not the OTC stuff either). It did help.
As for pain related to MS...YES...and very LOUD yes. I know that you will find a lot of people here will respond that they do have reactions to their Avonex shots. If you go to Biogen's website and read the entire prescribing information insert for Avonex, you will see some of the side effects of the medication and they do inside cause exactly what you are reading. MSActiveSource will downplay it...but if you read some of the posts from people with actual experience, they will tell you not true.
Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between what's MS and medication related as well as if it's something else. It ends up being a process of elimination. From my experience with the interferon, the symptoms tend to last 24 hours.
I hope your doctor had some suggestions other than it's something else. Do you have an appt?
Take care and feel better soon.
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