I was officiall diagnosed in April of 2007. I was hesitant to take the Avonex due to the cost and side effects and did not begin until January of 2008. I received incredible training and support from Biogendic. They are awesome. The in home nurse trainer did a great job showing me how to do the injection. I must say the first month I did have achiness and a small bit of fatigue the Saturday after I did the shot on Friday night. That went away after about one month. I was on a l/2 dose then. I did great, however I think I may have suffered from some depression with it and started on depression medication in June of 2008. It is hard to say if the depression was from the Avonex or the fact that I knew I was going to lose my job. In any event, the depression medication (zoloft) has helped me keep a positive attitude throughout this adjustment. In August I went to a full dose and had wicked headaches and threw up all Saturday. My doc said to stick to the 3/4 dose and I have done well with that. Since Avonex is not a cure for damage already done, it is hard to say if it has improved my condition. I have not had a follow up MRI, can't afford it. As to suggestions on the injection. Take your ibuprofen before you take it. I do it right before I go to bed on Friday evening and sleep through the side effects. I do not have any side effects at all now. Make sure you use the ice to dull the skin layer. Take your time. Don't rush. Sit on a firm chair and sit up. I have teenage daughters who after I did it for a couple of months, wanted to see what I did. I let them see it. I have traveled with it. It does not bog me down now. Everywhere I travel they have ice, so no biggy. Ask for the thinner needles. The only thing I am still working on is maintaining quality skin care at the site on my legs. Now understand I am 54 so my skin is not great to begin with, but on the legs where the skin has been numbed by the ice repeatedly, it does get a bit leathery. I am checking into what I can do about that. I use lotion and am thinking that I will call Biogenic about that, but other than that that's my story and I am sticking with it. I am here for you if you need to communicate.