This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hi

I started my avonex injection on monday night and as i was expecting got the shivers and sweats during the night. Today i feel awful, woke up and felt so weak and tired with pains in my legs. Just wondering is this normal when you start avonex??

Hi mblake,
Yes, it's pretty normal to feel like you've just been run over after taking Avonex especially after the first shot. Did you take anything to counter the side effects? I know that Biogen recommends taking some Tylenol but many people have found that ibuprofen actually works better. I would try a 400 mg dose of ibuprofen at the time of your shot and then about 2 more doses spaced every 4 hours afterwards. Hopefully, that will work better for you. For most people, the side effects tend to diminish in severity after the first few months but for others (as with myself) they can last longer.

NHE

Hi

Thanks for the reply. Yes i feel like i've been run over too!! But its my legs that are so tired and weak and im actually afraid to go out of the house incase i take another panic attack as i did yesterday!! Im kind of getting double vision it feels like vertigo just hope it passes soon. I've contacted my ms nurse so i'll wait to see what she says

Hi

I have been on Avonex for a year now. My first dose was definitely discouraging. Flu like symptoms to the extreme. I am one of those people who finds Ibuprofen to be much more beneficial than Tylenol. Although over the months the symptoms have gotten better, I do experience the shivers at night and weak legs the next day. It is far better than it used to be so don't let the first dose get you.

Good luck, hang in there...

Inquiz