Good morning!

I'm starting Avonex this afternoon, and I'm finding myself getting really apprehensive. Does anyone have any advice on managing the side effects that aren't listed in the brochure? Also, I have a date for a concert on Thursday... and I'm worried that I won't be feeling up to it. Is there anything that I can do to mask the effects for the evening? Energy drinks, advil, etc? Am I just being naive?

On a side note, speaking of dates... does anyone have any fabulous advice for how long to wait to tell someone you're dating that you have MS?

I'm mildly affected by my MS right now, so it's hard to swallow the fact that I'm going to be deliberately giving myself the "MS flu" several days a week, in exchange for a slowing of a disease that isn't even really affecting me right now (although I have 30+ brain lesions). Logically, I know that it is the right thing to do, but it's just so abstract. Grrrrrr! This is tough stuff to deal with.

Any advice from you fabulous MS veterans have for me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Moose has been on Avonex for close to 3 years now. I like it. Was on Rebif before... I like the Avonex much better. The needle is even thinner, so you barely feel it.

Premedicate a half hour or so before the shot. I do 800mg of ibuprofen. But find the right one for you, as some of these pills can mess your stomach up.

My first Avonex definitely gave me the flu like symptons. Shakes, achy all over and spiked a pretty good fever. Only lasted about a day. These tapered off over time and it's no longer an issue. I also take the shot just as I'm going to bed at night, so I sleep through anything that may creep up.

Can you or have you been instructions to work your way up to the full dose? Maybe just half today. 3/4 next week. Full dose the next week?

Now... telling your date... I've always found subliminal messages a key in this regard.

"Wow. You look really nice".
"Thanks. You can't tell I have MS can you?"
So what did you have in mind for dinner. I was thinking "Greek"...
"Greek's OK. It's OK that I have MS, too.
"Great. I know a really good place."
"Then it's settled... Greek it is!" No, MS isn't contagious. So you can kiss me goodnight later.

Then throw 'em a curve with "I love this song!" And then you turn up the radio.

But that's just me.

Great advice, Moose! Especially on dating.
If I'm just sick for a day, that's something I can deal with. I like hearing that the side effects went away over time for you.
I have an email in to my doc, asking about starting slowly. I'm just hoping to hear back by this afternoon.

Yep. They don't hit as hard as time goes on. My understanding is the CRABS/DMDs are adding troops to the fight as to slow the progression of the disease. Less exacerbations with less intensity. It's something that will benefit us in the long run.

It took me awhile to get that, as my Rebif shots hurt. (Thicker gauge needle). And they were evey other day. Not bad mouthing the product, mind you. It just didn't work out for me.

Hi,
The best advice I can give is that you will most likely get used to doing the shots. Its just a part of my life now, like brushing my teeth. Wishing you the best. Jules

I was on A for 2 years and have now been on R for 3 years. I never had more than a day of side effects. Nothing that motrin couldn't handle. 800 mg was what was recommended to me. I took it before the shot, and then again the next morning. I might need one more late afternoon, but not usually.

I found that drinking a lot of water and exercising the next morning made the side effects much more manageable and they felt less severe.

Drink lots of extra water, take Tylenol PM(or generic) AND Aleve(or generic) right around the time you do your injection.

Do not freak out if you think you are having a seizure, it is just the chills anf flu-like symptoms...it might not happen to you but be prepared if it does.

Do not plan on doing anything the day after in case you get these side effects.

Hope it works for you, without the flu/hangover part.

Thanks!
I'm actually at work now. I took half a dose yesterday, so that may be why I tolerated it so well. I'll work up to 3/4 next week, then a full dose the next week.
I took Advil every 4 hours after the shot, and it worked really well for me. Never even had a fever.
Thanks everyone for your advice and well-wishes!

Rissa,

Congrats!! So glad everything went so well.

Doesn't sound like you had any problems with the needle either. I'm a big needle whimp. Just another thing this disease challenges me with.

Glad you're doing so well.

I took the Avonex on Monday, and had very few SE's at all. But today I'm super-super-super irritable and more than a little depressed. I don't ever get this way, so it makes me wonder.
Does anyone know if irritibility can be a SE? I know depression can be, but this soon???