This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

I have my first shot of Avonex this coming Friday and I must admit I am a little anxious!! Is there anyone out there with some encouraging messages for me? The injection is not the scarey bit for me - it's the side effects!!

A scared Brit!

JD

Hi JD, welcome to the site. There are many people on Avonex on this board and I hope a few will stop by to tell you their experiences. From collective experience, I would say expect a mild flu-like effect, which you can alleviate by taking some typical over-the-counter pain/fever medications (such as Aspirin/Tylenol/Advil-- not sure if nthe European names are different for the last two).

good luck and welcome!

I had my fourth shot last week. The shot itself is not bad. Some helpful hints about the shot. Go easy. It doesn't take much effort to go in. Make sure your leg muscle is completely relaxed. Be sure to anchor the needle before injecting because you do not want the needle to shift.

Side effects for me is chills and feeling a little achy for 24 hours. They say the symptons are reduced after a few months. Lets hope so for newbies like us.

It looks like there is some better medicine on the horizon. Biggest word for me is...

Hope

Aloha

Tim

- thank you guys for the comforting words and tips. There is a lot of news in our press about new things coming on board with amazing results for us!
My husband ran the London Marathon last week for MS Trust in UK and was given some very hopeful information. For the time being, however, I shall put my faith in Avonex and see what happens.

Take care and here's to new developments!!

Regards,
Jady.

Jady

Welcome to This is MS!

I've been on Avonex about 4 months now and my experience is very similar to what Wilson reported.

Chills and achy and yucky for about 24 hours. Taking the meds before injecting, before going to bed, and for me, keeping them at bedside at night when I wake up with the chills seems to keep things at bay.

I can honestly say after 4 months that the side effects have lessened considerably.

Now, I've experienced the side effects again, but I'm chalking that up to injecting after only 5 days instead of 7 (travel schedule).

Let us know how you do. Congratulations to your husband too!

Sharon

Sharon,

Just had my first jab 2 hours ago and felt nothing as my legs are pretty numb. Not half as frightening as I thought - now wait and see what happens- feel "normal" at the mo. The side effects will probably kick in later. My MS nurse was wonderful - an angel.

Told my husband, Terry. Well done from you - he was very chuffed! (pleased)

'Still can't believe that the injection was so pain -less. Anyone who is just about to try - have no fear!!

I will let you guys know how the weekend progresses.

Love from Jady Southampton - uk

So glad to hear that first jab was painless. Mine was too!

Since then I've actually had more difficulty pushing the darn plunger in. I think I just don't have a "straight" shot at it sometimes when I'm doing the side of the thigh! Oh well!

Let us know about the side effects, hopefully not too bad and manageable with the pain meds. My next jab is tonight (after 6 days instead of 5 to get back on track), so I'm hoping no more side effects for me.

Cheers to you and your husband. Have a great week end there!

Sharon

Dear sharon

Now 21 hours after my jab and so far fingers xed no side effects! I have been really lucky so far and my ms nurse is really pleased. I will have to see how next one goes. Thanks for the messages of support - the jab was so much easier to do than I thought it would be. Going out tonight to a friends wedding reception - after saying that I would be too far out of it to go - a nice suprise!!

Take care and be on line again soon,

Jady

Jady....geez, I was looking for how you did and I didn't find it again until tonight. Tells me how I'm doing

Well, by now you've had your second shot. Hope it went as well as the first and no side effects to boot.

I had a great day today myself. Yard work and all. I also wanted to let you know that I recently vacationed in Buenos Aires and had some news I wanted to share with everyone "Brit".

The Buenos Aires Herald reported on 4/17/04 that the British Embassy was promoting and sponsoring a fund raising auction of works by 27 Argentine artists on May 11 to benefit the EMA-Esclerosis Multiple Argentina

Now, I think that has to be the MS Society or something of Argentina....So, looks like you've got a friend there in Sir Robin Christopher and Lady Christopher. Their photos were in the paper and all.

Jady, even tho I'm still on slow dial up, I promise to check tomorrow to see how you're doing. I can't believe I missed this...oh, I remember, I had to travel out of town early this week....good excuse huh?

Sharon (and I forgot to sign in again)....off to bed for me.

Dear Sharon,

I've not been on -line for a while, but you're right in saying I have had shot number 2 on Friday last. As with week one I have had no side effects and feel fine. Went for my reflexology session today which helps my general well-being and numb legs!! Then this afternoon blood checks to see how the Avonex is behaving!

Your trip sounded great - it's good to know that people are doing their bit everywhere to help people like us! The goats serum advances are getting alot of press here and the trials are now full in uk, but will be doing more if the results are as good as they sound so far!!! Great hope for all I believe and whats more the goats are not harmed!!

I am hoping to be able to0 get back to following my career in music when I have fully recovered enough from this last little bout - shoudn't be too long now. My 10yr old daughter is at school camp this week - by the sea - so I'm catching up with lots of friends and correspondence while she's away! Hope you are feeling good - best wishes to you and everyone out there!! Jady

Gee, what great news that you're doing so well with the Avonex and no side effects!

Hopefully you will be over this bout in no time and back to your music career. Sounds like a great week for you to catch up on things too since your daughter's away. Time to be good to yourself.

I have to catch up on the goat serum info. I'm so "new" to this myself I'm still trying to wrap my head around some of the basic information. Reflexology sounds interesting. I haven't checked that out at all. I'm definitely into trying to manage the stress tho and think exercise helps.

Have a great week. May we both have many more effective, painless and side effect free jabs

Sharon