new Avonex pen
 

Anyone using it? If so is the cost any more? Just wondering. My leggs are heavy enough I don't mind the longer needle and I am an RN so the shot thing doesn't bother me either.

I've long been anti-DMD (well, not 'long' compared with some here, but since my Copaxone, dismissed DMDs). Since my O.N. attack and relapse, I've been holding onto a 'script' for the Avonex pen. My neurologist raved about how great it was.

I'm still debating if I really want to go back on a DMD, but as of today my MS symptoms that plagued me back in my limboland days (long before the IV steroids, prednisone etc were on the radar, or MS for that matter) are firing off here and there, and some are quite bad when they're active.

So I am really wondering if I should go ahead and fill the script, or not. I'll be sure to post back if I do decide to try, and my experience with it.

All aside, in Canada the pen's more expensive. I'm not sure if the cost is set at Federal or Provincial level here though, and if in the USA/abroad it's the same cost either way. I suspect the pen to always be more than the 'traditional' Avonex syringes.

I am fine in sticking with the old supplies until they no longer supply the medicine like that.

do you have a link for the pen. i hate the long needle and i will sit there for 10 to 20 minutes before finally injecting.

I too am considering asking for a new DMD. I have been free of them for years now, but attack after attack aint no fun either. I will go look up the pen. I did poorly on Beta as my liver went crazy. I wonder if the avonex would do the same thing.

My liver enzymes are high on Avonex but my neuro says that I am in the acceptable hugh level. When I go out of that level then I have to have a recheck in a couple of months.

I believe Avonex is similar Dej, maybe your pharma or neuro could clarify this?

*I know my neuro wants me to 'try' Avonex and reject it as unacceptable to 'fail' on 2 DMDs so he can chuck me on Tysabri (which I told him already, I'd go back to Copaxone if Avonex proved to be a problem before EVER considering Tysabri). Offside grumble*

Hi, that's how I feel right now. I have been on Rebif for almost a year, but the side effects have been hard to bear so my neuro wants me to go to avonex. (They automatically give you the pen when you get the script. ) I am manually injecting about 38 mcgs. instead of auto 44 mcg. Of the rebif and getting less intense side effects, but don't know if I'm doing the right thing. Looking for feedback on that....

I just switched over to the pen and am so glad I did. The cost is the same for me. It took some getting used to to push a button rather than push a needle in. But the needle appears to actually be smaller. It's much easier to do, less assembly and doesn't hurt as much.

I went to the avonex pen a few months ago. It had been great to use. I use to hate injecting with the prefilled syringes. Of course now that they came out with the pen, I have new lesions and my doc wants to change meds. I see her next month and will see what she wants to change to.