I always used ibuprofen. It is an anti -inflammatory as well, that's why I used it.

i think i am messing up this reply thing...but thanks for your insight...i am pretty sensitive to meds--usually take half a dose of stuff or cut it in half--not scared of needles but i am scared of wasting the expensive little vials

found this research that supports ibuprofen...thanks again--you all are making
this bearable--my family and friends are still a little freaked so you all are my support!

Research: Ibuprofen Best for Treating Post-Avonex-Injection Side Effects

AvonexThis study tried to compare ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and corticosteroids for the treatment of flu-like symptoms that accompany Interferone-beta-1a (Avonex) injections. The result was that there was no clear winner, but ibuprofen seemed to help the most with symptoms immediately following the injection.

"OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and prednisone in the treatment of interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a) flu-like syndrome (FLS)...

CONCLUSIONS: No prophylactic treatment for flu-like syndrome seems to be superior to another in terms of overall well-being during the first month of IM IFNbeta-1a therapy. However, ibuprofen confers better control of symptoms immediately following IM IFNbeta-1a injection."

I have been on Avonex since about June 1997. I had only one lesion back then and I still have only one lseion. I am not going to claim that the Avonex made the difference but I don't want to switch! When I started I had mild flu symptoms for about a month. Not the whole month but for a day after my shot. So I would take the shot on Friday nights. Now I don't have any flu symptoms. I have had a history of some really weird dreams the night of my shot and the Aleve that I take doens't seem to effect it. My family just knows that it was another Avonex night for me! We have come to laugh about a lot of what happens to your body with MS. My husband says I need to write a book about what I hear him say vs what he did say. I was an RN so needed no help in giving my shots but I did make sure someone else knew just in case I did come to a point in my MS hthat I couldn't give it. My husband was a medic in thr Navy.

thank you for this--i was tempted to start off w/rebif but my husband and i ultimately decided on avonex--i want to start on friday's also...a book is an excellent idea! i am now starting "the first year--multiple sclerosis" and it is kinda bumming me out" so maybe we can all collaborate and do a funny one

i too just have one lesion (that's what i heard neuro say--husband claims he heard something else) but i am sticking w/ONE! hopefully i will have the same good results you have experienced.

I just took my 3rd injection of Avonex this Friday.
My very first inection was at 1 pm in the afternoon because the nurse could not come any later and she had to see me give myself the first injection. I can tell you there is a HUGE difference, for me, in taking the shot right before bed.

It knocked me around pretty good when I took it early in the day. I was so tired, and then the fluishness started.

I will NEVER take it early in the day again. To me it would be worth putting it off for a week. I did the Tylenol and fluids for 24 hours before my first injection and it STILL got the best of me. And I started at only 1/2 dose.

If you can take your first injection of Avonex and then go to work.....well, you are a much tougher person than I am!!

LA

I wouldn't recommend taking your first Avonex shot and then going to work either. The side effects can be severe and since you haven't tried it yet, you don't really know how they will be for you. I know with myself - aches, chills, fever and just plain feeling crappy and I've been taking it for two years, my side effects have diminished somewhat. One thing that works for me is drinking lots of water the day of the shot and the day after. I usually take advil PM, and take my shot before bed. It knocks me out and helps me sleep through the side effects most of the time.

talked my neuro's office into getting first shot on friday (hopefully late in afternoon--hubby outta town but can ask friends to help with little children and take rest of day off if necessary...then will have avonex guy come next friday to show hubby how to inject....thank you all for your input...it really helps to have this online support community!

how did you decide on 1/2 dose? was it just to go slowly???

Good Luck on your training.

If that needle really looks intimidating...get your doctor to prescribe you the 1 inch needle....it is a little less intimidating! But honestly I couldn't feel either going in....

Drink your water!!! All day Thursday and Friday, if you aren't used to drinking water!