I have been on Avonex for 8 years. For most people there are flu like side effects, slight fever, body aches, general fatigue, for about 6 months when starting. This is true for all of the Interferons. Just take an OTC medication like Aleve or Ibuprofen, Tylenol is recommended since that is what was used in the Trials, but it is probably the least effective. For bad side effects a low dose, 10 mg, of Prednisone about 6 hours before the injection is very effective. I do not have any side effects, for about 7 1/2 years now. Do my shot Friday morning, 2 Naproxen (Aleve) and just go about my day.

The needle is long, 1 1/4 inches, but it does not hurt, just imposing. There is a shorter 1 inch available, it just has to be requested, I use a 5/8 inch needle since I have no fat on my legs. The once a week shot is very easy to fit into your life. Most people do the shot on their thighs, big muscle and easy to reach. Just rotate injection sites.

What Wkikta said, with a couple things to add:

The Avonex will not help your MS symptoms, it is only to help reduce future relapses. The Solumedrol will hopefully help with your current symptoms or keep them from getting worse right now. You'll probably feel like crud from the steroids but once that wears off you might notice a difference and feel pretty good. Everyone responds differntly to the drugs so there is no guaranty.

I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you so much everone for the advise and kind words. I just been told that I have to pay 100.00 a month. Right now I'm not working and trying to get disability but still waiting on that.

At least know what to expect now. I'm a little nervous but I know I can do this. Things could be worse I tell myself. I'm looking on getting surgery on my left eye in March to put back in alignment since it has moved inward.

I just hope i'm not doing too much for my body all at once.

Thanks again,

I'm sure I will be posting more as i go through this.

This site has been invaluable to me as I move through this journey. Keep your head up. It does get better.

Hi,
I was on Avonex for 4 weeks. I did not like it at all, I took a half dose, the side effects were more than I could handle, my hair started coming out in clumps, I only had about 2 good days a week, so I decided to get off it. I was off for more than a year and started having attack after attack, found out about LDN. My neuro wouldn't even talk to me about it, so my MD prescribed 3 mg. I have been on it 4 years, I think 1 attack and it was mild. The best choice for me and I pay $32. a month. It is not a cure, it slows the progression. Good luck with whatever you do.

I have been on Avonex since 4/97! I can honestly say that I am a 'little' overweight so the size of the needle doesn't bother me a bit. Also I was an RN so I had no trouble giving myself a shot. I did have some flu like problems at first but I take 2 Aleve an hour before each shot and I don't have any problems. I don't know what would happen if I didn't take that Aleve but it is usually the only Aleve I take a week so I don't worry about it. My MRIs look the same now as they did in 1997 so I'm sticking with my Avonex.

Just a note on the LDN, it does nothing to change the progression of MS. It does make your life better by increasing the production of Endorphins by your body, your feel better, so your life is better.