This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Just curious to see if anyone has had the less dramatic course with Avonex. I'm going to start it soon and, well, I'm n-e-r-v-o-u-s! So I'm looking for positive feedback.

I have been on Avonex for 1.5 years and I'm very happy to say that generally I have no side effects from the Avonex. I just took my injection last night and woke up this moning fine. From the start, my side effects have been manageable. At their worst, I would wake up in the middle of the night with chills, headache and all my muscles would ache. As long as I kept taking my Advil every 4 hours I was okay. Last week's injection made me wake up with a headache - but again that's manageable with Advil. No relapses since my first and no new lesions. I also take supplements and LDN.

Good luck.

Wintergirl - I totally agree with your positive thoughts about the drug. I also view Avonex as something good and I've even got myself believing that I always feel better after my injection. I think I lot of this has to do with mind over matter.

Thanks to all y'all who've replied so far. You're making me feel better already!

28 months on Avonex. After 6 months, the side f/x faded but now I go through phases where they come back for a few weeks. But now, they are not as drastic as they were in the beginning.

Advice: Find a routine that works for you and stick to it. Find out what works better between advil and tylenol. I'm a tylenol person but most people rave about advil. Do not get off schedule. I've missed a week a few times. When I took it after skipping a week, the side effects were back. Find the best time of day that works for you. I prefer early evening versus bedtime but that is not always possible. Just remember everyone is different and our bodies react differently. You just need to figure out what works for you and stick to it.

1) toss the needle that comes in the kit. Get 1 inch needles, they are shorter and a smaller gauge and they work just fine. Your avonex supplier might even give you the needles if you request them.

2) take a hot shower to relax the injection site. You will be less stable walking, but the needle will slide in and out like butter.

3) rub the injection site down with your knuckles, like you're rubbing out a cramp. Do this for a few minutes to warm up the muscle, makes the shot work better.

4) take lots of vitamin c. I can't vouch for the exact way it works, but I do have a post in the vitamins board. But when we are on C, there are less chills, and it's easier to get up in the morning.

5) Getting up early seems to be better than getting up later and getting a provigil first thing in the AM helps too. You gotta walk it off.

6) Tylanol before bed, tylanol when you wake up in the middle of the night and tylonol when you wake up.

napay

_________________
My Starting Point
Understanding MS 101: Doctor Talk and People Talk<br /><br />

Hello,
I am a newly diagnosed and I am also Diabetic T1. I was given Avonex. I am cautious about all the side effects I hear of. I have been reading and I see most do it at night, before bed. Being Diabetic, I am not sure if any of you are, but Im cautious about a blood sugar rise. I would appreciate any info given to me, and if any of you have not received any benefits for the use of Avonex.

Thanks

_________________
Mars