I am on my last week of Rebif titration pack - doing ok so far..... but I need some advice!

I have been having the most aggravating heart burn (maybe acid reflux) that is waking me up at night! I asked MSLifelines yesterday if it could possible be a side affect of Rebif - they had never heard of it? Maybe it is the Advil? I have been premedicating with 2 Advil each injection. And the more I think about it - the nights I burn the worst are those nights I have injected - therefore taken Advil!

Just for something different I am trying Naproxen today. Has anyone else experienced this and have any words of wisdom?

I don't take Rebif but I know if I take Motrin on an empty stomach I tend to get acid reflux so I always make sure to eat a little something first even if it's just a slice of bread and glass of milk. I've always had trouble with acid reflux though, went to ER once because I thought I was having a heart attack found out it was spasms of the esophagus. I'd call the dr. just to be sure. Hope you find relief soon, I know it can be terrible to deal with.

Susan

Switch you premedication from Advil (Ibuprofen) which is very caustic to the stomach lining and causes acid reflux, to Alleve. It is gentler on your system but still does the job.

You may also want to be checked out by your PCP as you may have Gastro Esphagial Reflux Disease (GERD). Only your PCP can tell you that. A hyperacidic stomach is nothing to mess around with considering all of your other health challenges and it is easily treated.

Best of luck to you and let us know how you're doing.

Thanks for the responses! Craig - how often can I really take Aleve? The bottle says 8 hours and it doesn't seem to be that long before I need another one! I took 2 this morning at 6:30 and I am really thinking another one would be good about now!

When on Avonex, I would take two an hour before my shot, two just before going to bed, and two when I got up in the morning.

It seemed to work well for me to fight off the side effects of the med.

Hope it all works out for you.

Both ibuprofin (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen sodium (Alleve) are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and both are very hard on the stomach. Also, if you take Zoloft, it interacts with NSAIDS to further aggravate your stomach.

Try Tylenol (aceteminifin) and see if that relieves your pain, but be careful not to overdose as it can cause liver damage in large amounts. If Tylenol just won't cut it and you have to have the NSAIDS, then try adding Prilosec OTC, which inhibits acid production.

I know these things from experience, since I've eaten several holes in my stomach with ibuprofin. I no longer take it at all.

When I first started Avonex last summer, I took 2 Advil before the shot and 2 every 4 hours. I also tried taking Aleve right before I went to sleep.

I have a long history of stomach problems and the Advil just tore me up and I can't tolerate the Aleve either. The reflux was horrible. I ate soda crackers and rolaids along with Prilosec. Pure misery.

I have changed my shot time from evening to early afternoon now and I am down to just taking 2 Advil before my shot. Thankfully, the Avonex side effects are so much better!

I needed to let everyone know that had answered me on this - I am going with Tylenol and Prylosec. I am hoping after the initial 14 day Prylosec treatment, I won't have to continue. So far - all is good! No heartburn and I have been eating some pretty testy things!

Thanks again for your answers!