Restarting Betaseron - questions
 

When I was first dx'd with MS in 2001, I was on Betaseron and stayed on it until Dec of 2004.

I am now going to go back on Betaseron.

My question is has anyone been on Beta, stopped for awhile and then restarted it?

If so, how were the side effects of getting used to the interferon again? I had a horrible time the first time around. It took me almost 5 months to titrate up to the full dose and there were times I thought I would never get over the flu like symptoms of Beta....

How is the new formulation? Is it any better at not leaving those nasty red blotches? I am not looking forward to that aspect of Beta. I had horrible red blotches on my thighs and butt. I never did use my arms. I tried once and had such horrible red marks that I thought never again. Now that I have CRPS, there's no way I can inject into my arms! Can't reach! LOL!

Thanks everyone! Guess I am once again going to be a member of the "Beta Babe" Club.

I can't answer any of your questions...I was never on Beta, but I have a question....WHY??

If you had such a bad all around experience with Beta, then why not try something you've not tried before?

Anyways good luck Honey. You could use some. I hope it all works to make you feel better..:hug::hug:

How about Rebif Cheryl? I took that and didn't have any problems with site reactions. I did however have pretty bad depression, but I was going through lots of stress at the time as well.

Anyway, good luck with the Beta. I hope it goes better this time around. :hug:

good luck with the beta cheryl.
i hope it helps and your reactions will be less than before.

I got nothin' but hugs for ya FG!
Good Luck on the restart! I hope that it helps!

:eek: Good thing we don't have to look at you butt then huh? Well, I don't know about being a Beta babe. I have only been a Bifer babe and now a C- Shooter. Hope all goes great this time!

Aim well!

Makes you rethink that string bikini you bought for this summer doesn't it?:D

Cheryl, I was originally on Betaserson and went through all the horrible side effects. I went off it and after I had my DD, I was put on Avonex (another interferon). I had absolutely NO side effects. I hope that happens for you too. Best of luck.

Why Beta or WHY period, Sally? :rolleyes:

Beta b/c I had a bad reaction to Copaxone so that's off the list. :Writting: No to Avonex b/c I am NOT doing an IM shot:thud:...and if I am going to do any shot, I might as well go back to Beta. I did fine with it once I got over the initial side effects, hardly even knew I was on it.

My system is so sensitive - shoot, I run a temp with my B-12 shots! LOL!:Sick:

:highfive:Thanks Karousel for the information. My Neuro says that anecdotally most people don't have the same problems if they go off an interferon then restart, but we all know that I am not most people. :D:eek::rolleyes:

I just wondered if I could get a sampling from the group! :hug:

I will give it to you, Miss SmartyPants! Along with that big box of peeps I've been saving!

Oh Peeps! (Claps hands!) Yes thank you! But need to past on the bikini also. The Rebif has left me looking like a Dalmatian!:o

(red spots all over :mad:)

I'm on Beta
 

for more than a year. It now has a new thinner 30-gauge needle. Hopefully that will help with the site reaction. I am doing okay with the smaller needle size.
Good luck!:hug:

I dont have any advice for you, I just wanted to throw a hug at you :hug: Starting any new med is so scary in MS land. I hope you sail through it.

I like that! A new thinner needle!

Thanks! Starting was scary, Restarting is just something I need to do. Looking for advice about the new formulation!

Cheryl, Jim did. He was on Beta way back in the day. Tried Copax and then Avonex. Now back to Beta and doing fine on it. The only place he has site reactions is when I do it in his stomach. The needles are much smaller now too so that should help. We haven't opened the smaller needles yet because the VA took their time getting the new ones. Waste not I guess. lol

No symptoms for Jim whatsoever. He does seem to have some stiffness the day after but we're not convinced just yet it's the Beta. Other than that, nothing. No more staying in for days like with Avonex. I do pre medicate with Ibuprofen. I tried Tylenol once and he ran a fever so I would recommend Ibuprofen or something similar.

Good luck! :hug:

http://dl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1...vfy9rwu5rz.gifCome on DM...let's go play "Time for DM to have an Avonex shot!" It will be fun!:D

What color duct tape shall we use?

:D

Ya got pink? DM would look really pretty in some pink. Ya think? :D:D:D

Grabbing cotton balls to stuff in DM's mouth!

Pink would be good! :p

I did find out the location of the new lesions. Temporal lobe. Completely different location than all the others.

I have an appt with my neuro end of April to go over everything. Including how the interferon will affect CRPS and vice versa. The two docs are talking about tx options.

Wow! You have awesome Drs.

Wait till I pm you with what happened to me now.:eek:

Yep...dopey and more confused than ever.

I should quit work while I am still alive.:o

Hey Cheryl... Did you start beta yet? If so, how's it going? Wishing you the best..:hug:

Oh....and how does your garden grow?..:D

Yea, how is it going Cheryl? Did you start already? :hug:

Not yet. I can't give myself shots yet due to not being able to use my right arm. So until the docs decide what to do about my right arm, I still waiting.

Thanks for asking....;)

Do you think you could do it with the new injector for the smaller needles? Did Beta send you one?

That's not it Sandy, I cannot move my right arm far enough to give myself a shot. And I am NOT left handed enough to even try. I think I would jab something that shouldn't be jabbed!!

When I was on Beta previously (and Copaxone) I hated the autoinflictor!

We hate it too! It almost seems harder doesn't it? Some people say they have no problems so I wasn't sure if it would be something for you. :hug: