MS symptoms or betaferon side effects?

chalam · Post by **chalam** » Thu May 05, 2005 5:41 am

Hello everyone,
My 15-yr old daughter was dx this past Jan and recently started Beta injections (she's only at 1/2 dose). She says that "everything hurts more" like when she gets knocked or pushed or scrapes herself. She also says that her arms and legs feel like they have just had an intense workout and the muscles are tired and sore.
Since we are new to all of this, could you pros tell me whether these feelings of hers are MS symptoms or reactions to the iterferon? (She is taking 100mg of ibuprophen with each injection.)
thanks for your help.
Laura

LindaR · Post by **LindaR** » Thu May 05, 2005 6:33 am

Laura -
I take Avonex which is also an interferon but a different type than the one your daughter is taking. The day after my injection I use to feel very achy and all my muscles were sore - just as your daughter described. This is a side effect of the interferon (flu-like symptoms). Mine have pretty much gone away. I take Advil every 4/6 hours after my injection.

Niko · Post by **Niko** » Thu May 05, 2005 11:33 pm

Hi Laura --

I've been taking Betaseron for about three years now. It took me roughly a month and smaller doses to get accustomed to the medicine.
I would suggest to keep a reaction diary for awhile.
Dates, times, location of injections, any pain relievers used and then reactions noted.
Present the info to the prescribing doc.

I wish all well!
Niko