positive on avonex

A board to discuss the Multiple Sclerosis modifying drug Avonex
janr609
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positive on avonex

Post by janr609 »

Hello All,

I started Avonex four weeks ago, but before I did I read many horror stories about side effects, which is unfortunate, but i am here to bring some positivity to that, and say i have not had any reactions from avonex, I drink about 6 liters of water the day of the shot (i am sipping all day long!!)...I take 2 aleve 1/2 hour before and then 2 aleve 2 hours after my shot..I take it at night about 2-3 hours before i am going to bed...and sleep through anything that is going on....wake up feeling fine...

i am sorry to hear that people react terrible to this and i just wanted to put my story out there for people who are trying to decide on a medicine..and most posts on here are all negative ones....i understand everyone’s body is different in every aspect of MS...but just wanted to share my story...hydrate hydrate hydrate!!!!
buygirl
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by buygirl »

I just took my full dosage this am and I am not feeling well at all. I have taken the shot at night in the past but today my friend that helps gave it to me at 8AM. Its 12:30 and I dont feel well at all; chills and aches.

I will try your method next week and hope for the best. I have had no side effects since I started so this is concerning to me since it was my first time at 100% strength.
Hd5guy
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by Hd5guy »

I hope to be positive on avonex also ,too soon to tell though I took my 1st injection this afternoon. (1/4) dose this is also my first post here . I'm grateful for all the shared experience here and am a firm believer that we can accomplish together what we could never do alone
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lyndacarol
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by lyndacarol »

Welcome to ThisIsMS, Hd5guy. I agree with you "that we can accomplish together what we could never do alone."
My hypothesis: excess insulin (hyperinsulinemia) plays a major role in MS, as developed in my initial post: http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-discussion-f1/topic1878.html "Insulin – Could This Be the Key?"
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NHE
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by NHE »

buygirl wrote:I just took my full dosage this am and I am not feeling well at all. I have taken the shot at night in the past but today my friend that helps gave it to me at 8AM. Its 12:30 and I dont feel well at all; chills and aches.

I will try your method next week and hope for the best. I have had no side effects since I started so this is concerning to me since it was my first time at 100% strength.
Are you taking anything to counteract Avonex's side effects? Many people find that ibuprofen works better than the acetaminophen that Biogen recommends. Try 400 mg at the time of your shot and then another dose about 4 hours later. In addition, I found that taking the shot mid-day around noon was better than taking it in the evening as my body would not thermoregulate well while trying to sleep on Avonex and I would often get chills and shakes.

NHE
janr609
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by janr609 »

thanks for the replies..buyguy try it at night next time with my method..i hope it works for you as well...stay positive and hydrated!!
janr609
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by janr609 »

any updates or tips?
Hd5guy
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by Hd5guy »

I'm getting ready to do injection #3,3/4 dose.I don't know if I've had any side effects because my symptoms have got worse. Nuro started oral staroids a week ago but I haven't noticed improvement .i know it could be worse so for now ill just follow direction and hang in there
buygirl
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by buygirl »

I switched to the pen two weeks ago....what a difference using the pen has made. The whole experience of the shot has changed for me. Anyone that has the option of switching to the pen should do it

I have taken the shot twice in the AM and do notice that the flu like symptoms are worse when I do that. I find it best to take 2 advil and take the shot 1 hour before bed. I normally wake in the middle of the night so I take more advil then. I just there was less bruising.

My water intake needs to improve the day before and of the shot. One of these days I will cut the diet coke out :-D

My symptoms have been pretty stable since I started the meds; when I get tired it is the only time that I feel like they get worse.
Hd5guy
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by Hd5guy »

Im glad the pen is better for you.thursday ill receive my first shipment of pens.As crazy as it may sound,i hope they come in the same little cooler, my son uses them for ice fishing bait once i transfer meds to the fridge.The nurse is comming out to show me how to use the pen for the first time and I dont antisipate any issues.As far as hydration goes,the little cooler can hold water bottles too if your not into ice fishing. i wish you and all well.
LPalmer
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by LPalmer »

I am new to Avonex I have not started the injections, but I am very apprehensive because I was on Copaxone for 8 months and suffered. My hair was shedding very badly; I had constant relapses every month and had swelling, bruising and itching at the injection site. My neuro suggested Avonex, he stated it has less side effects. I hope he is correct. I have been medicine free (except for 50000 iu of Vitamin D) since August and have not had a relapse, no new lesions and I feel great. My neuro said it will not last long and that I need to be on some type of MS med.....Any one out there that is med free and feeling great?
Anonymoose
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by Anonymoose »

LPalmer wrote:I am new to Avonex I have not started the injections, but I am very apprehensive because I was on Copaxone for 8 months and suffered. My hair was shedding very badly; I had constant relapses every month and had swelling, bruising and itching at the injection site. My neuro suggested Avonex, he stated it has less side effects. I hope he is correct. I have been medicine free (except for 50000 iu of Vitamin D) since August and have not had a relapse, no new lesions and I feel great. My neuro said it will not last long and that I need to be on some type of MS med.....Any one out there that is med free and feeling great?
I was med-free until recently and I still don't do DMDs. MS started in January 2010. I haven't had a relapse since March 2011 (3rd). Felt pretty good until I started Wheldon protocol in September 2012...made me feel worse than ever. I quit after 3.5 months to try something else non-DMD. Back to feeling pretty darn good. :) There are lots of people here doing well sans DMDs.

That said, there seems to be higher risk of relapse after discontinuing DMDs. It's funny because my neurologist recommends DMDs whilst in the same breath warns that there is no safe way to stop taking them if there are adverse side effects. :confused:

Please pardon my off-topic response.
LPalmer
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by LPalmer »

Thanks. I'm going to try it but just like with Copaxone if I have side , then I am going to stop. No need to apologize for the off topic comment, it is very true what you said about doctors telling you that you need to be on DMDs while in the same breath warn you about the adverse side effects. :?
janr609
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by janr609 »

good luck starting avonex..hopefully you will have less side effects than copaxone, again everyone is different but take the aleve and hydrate and if possible i would suggest taking it before bed.

The pen is great, i have not had to do the shot myself yet but i could with the pen, i am glad it came out and it will def help people with anxiety over the shot.
Hd5guy
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Re: positive on avonex

Post by Hd5guy »

Well I injected my first full dose on Friday,now I can relate to some of the side effects.rough nite through sat am but now approx 30 hrs after doing much better. Temp control is still crazy sweats than cold than sweats. Friday told myself ill never do this again,but now thinking its better than a uncontrolled free fall of ms. Starting pen next week and hoping the juice is worth the squeeze :)
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