This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

For the past couple of years I've noticed that I'm becoming increasingly more sensitive to bright lights usually while I'm driving at night. Since this typically occurs on the days that I take Avonex, which I've been on for just about 6 years, I've attributed it to a side effect of the medication. However, I also have light sensitivity problems on other nights during the week as well. It just seems to be worse on the days that I take Avonex. I had optic neuritis about 6.5 years ago which helped lead to my MS diagnosis but that cleared up within about a year and I no longer have problems with heat causing my vision to fade out. I don't know if the bright light sensitivity at night could be a long term effect of the optic neuritis. Anyways, I was wondering if anyone else has problems with light sensitivity at night and could also correlate that to either the Avonex or to MS in general?

Thanks, NHE

Hi NHE

I haven't had optic neuritis and I don't generally have trouble with bright lights at night. However, I've also noticed a strong association between my Avonex injection and visual problems. In my case, I almost always have more difficulty focusing (intermittently) on the day after my injection and it may be getting worse. Like you, I now find I sometimes have the problem on other days as well. I attribute it to the Avonex, which I've been on almost 2 1/2 years. An opthomalogist and my neuro don't see any problems on exam. It's disconcerting to say the least.

Generally I'd say one of the "side effects" of Avonex in my case is a temporary worsening of my symptoms, which always disappear 4-5 days after my injection. I should've had a clue when I had my first shot and my whole body went entirely numb within seconds. The nurse of course assured me "it wasn't the Avonex, but MS could do that." At this point I'd say it was the Avonex that did it and not the MS.

Sharon