This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Well of course it's positive.

It's not really a shock but i wish the diagnosis was something else.

The neuro has suggested maybe starting on Avonex and i will be seeing him again in May so he will prescribe it then. That will give me time to stop breastfeeding.

Has anyone had an ok experience with Avonex?

Thanks

Elly

Elly,

I did not, but a guy I know who sells steel to me has been on it for four years and he barely gets any side fx. The best bet would be to try and see how you deal with it. I had to do it right before bed and hope to sleep through the flu. My buddy does his on Sunday afternoon...go figure.

What that all means is you don't know how you'll tolerate an interferon until you try one and stay on it for a while to let the side fx calm down. They didn't with me, but they do for most. There is also the fact that if you are scacred of needles, this is an IM shot which means you have to bury a 1 - 1-1/2 needle into your thigh when self injecting. I never did the sub-q route, but the IM is hard at first to self inject. Have your hubby learn so he can give them to you in the rump. My wife did that and those were much more pleasant. There is something to be said about only 1x per week.

There is a thread on here specifically for Avonex and if you poke around on there you will probably find many more testimonials.

Lew

Thanks Lew,

I don't really mind needles too much. I'm a nurse and have given thousands but i guess it's different when it's to yourself.

I have had a quick look at the Avonex section here and i must say it does not sound too positive.
I've heard that rebix is better but according to who? My neurologist suggested Avonex because it's good to use after a CIS and he is able to prescribe it so that i don't have to pay for it. I think he said it's the only one that i can use without having to pay. Othrewise it's $20,000 per year .

I have a couple of months to research some more but the drug section on this website is quite frightening to read.

Elly

hi elly-

sorry about the news...even though you had a pretty good idea about it, it can be a tough pill to swallow...

as far as your med choice, i think you'll find that people are pretty good about not interfering with this very personal choice...the only comment i want to make involves the payment aspect of it...

i don't know what country you are in, but in the USA, i'm pretty sure that Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, and Rebif are all covered by insurance...and, i'm also pretty sure that all are prescribed for individuals with a CIS or early MS...

TOL

sorry to hear about your tests.. i take avonex and its not all bad. i started on rebiff and had no symptoms untill i got to the highest dose..i didn't like it to much..which ever one you choose to do just make sure that your consistent. thats when i notice the flu like symptoms. the hardest part is getting past the big needle, but with you being a nurse you shouldn't have a problem with it.


i wish you the best of luck and if you have any questions you can msg me and i would be glad to help..congrats on the new baby.

my lp was positive too and they recommended rebif but i decided against medicating. fyi.

As someone who is currently switching from Avonex to Rebif (1 shot per week to 3 per week) I would say it was a fairly easy routine to get into. Once weekly is not bad, and I would take mine a couple of hours before bedtime along with a Naproxyn Sodium tablet (Aleve) to help with any flu symptoms. Most of the time I had no side effects other than a mild headache in the morning.

Good luck with Avonex. I sometimes think the hope we get from the interferons is likely as good as the medical benefit from the drug

hey eye doc..whats up with floaters...i see them all the time now..mainly while being outside but the nuero said its not related to ms...is there anything to do being supplement or anything to help get rid of them.

Thanks Everyone for your replies,

TOL i'm in Australia so it's a bit differeny here in regards to meds.

Eye doc can i ask why you switched from Avonex to Rebif?

Thanks

Elly