Hi I am a 31 year old female, I just started Avonex 8/10/12. The side effects of Avonex scared the grap out of me aparently I never had the flu before because the so called flu like symptoms was the worst thing I like I have ever experianced. I have been very positive through out my whole MS experiance, but Avonex side effects have me totally questioning everything.

Hi Debbie, welcome. I hear you about Avonex sides. I stayed on it for 7 months, before giving up, because of the flu from hell.

With some peeps the sides deminish over time. Never stopped with me, so.......

I hope yours go away and you are helped by Avonex.

I originally stared on Betaseron and suffered the flu-like side effects. They lasted about 3 months. When I went off it to have a baby and then started taking Avonex I didn't have any further side effects. Just wanted to give you some positive feed back. I know so many have had horrible side effects from these meds. I hope the side effects ease up for you.

I did betaseron for 9months myself. Hated it!! Always make sure with the beta, avonex, and one more I think, always pre-medicate. That doesnt work for everyone, but make sure your doing that and if you still have problems, may be time for a change.

I did Beta for eight years..... the side effect were almost always there. That is why I went on Tysabri. Not saying that you should do that, but I do feel for you - it is like getting hit by a truck/having the hangover from hell.

When it was every second day, my quality of life was NOT GOOD. Now I know I am JC positive, I am thinking about trying Avonex.

Maybe I can cope with it once a week - but I am sorry that you are feeling so bad. Lots of people feel like that for the first few months and then the 'flu symptoms stop. I hope that you are one of them.

Regards

Lyn

i did beta and it gave me tiny minor side effects and I thought GREAT! but my first blood test showed my liver was very unhappy on it. I switched to Copaxone.

EVERY drug has side effects, from stinging to flu side effects to increased risk of infection or PML. Sometimes you get used to them and sometimes you dont.

I hope you feel better quick.

Hi debbie, I have been on avonex for 7 years now. The first couple weeks were hell getting adjusted to it. By week 12 it was not a big deal. Yes I still get a slight fever every now on then from it, but nothing like the first several weeks. It does get easier.

Hi Debbie and welcome.

My first DMD was Avonex. It was really rough at first. I had shaking chills so bad tht I couldn't unclench myself to get aspirin & water and more blankets. I called the doctor the next day.

I was started on a protocol of aspirin 2 hours before the 6PM shot and then again at bedtime w benedryl. I could have the aspirin during the night if it had been 4 hours. If not I could alternate w Tylenol. That worked out OK. I still had the flu symptoms but never the shaking chills again.

I was on it for 5 years and it worked for me. I did start to hate that needle even though it was once a week. When I came up w 1 new lesion on an MRI, we used the opportunity to switch to Rebif.

We are all different. You just have to pick what will work w your schedule and see what happens.

ANN

Hi Debbie

I hope that things will settle for you very quickly - for lots of people they do. The stuff the others said about pre-medicating is very true. Take paracetamol (or the equivalent) a couple of hours before before your needle, at the time of your needle and sometime after your neede.

That should help. Hopefully, your body will get used to it pretty quickly.

I have my fingers crossed for you

Debbie23 did you get lost out there in Cyberland?