Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
- NiftyBunny
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Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
So I have been on the Rebif for about 4 months now... side effect wise it seems to be going well. Usually I get a headache the next morning which goes away with a couple Advil, and occassionally a slight fever in the afternoon. Definitely workable, not as unpleasant as to be honest I was expecting when I started the Rebif (though getting onto it was HELL).
My problem I'd like to address here is the emotional side. I won't call it "side effects" because I don't think it is the drug itself causing this, just the fact that I HATE doing the injection. Every time I have to do an injection as soon as I realise that I have to do it that night, I am depressed all day long. I am not usually big on the self pity, but I can't help but wish every injection day that my life were different and I didn't have to do this. Lets face it, it SUCKS.
My question for you guys is this: Have/Do you feel the same way? Was there anything you found to make you dread it less? Did you get more used to it as time went on, didn't really dread it much after time? Just looking to talk a bit about this. I'm not happy that this is my life now, and I'm trying anything I can to help myself to accept it. I know time is needed for that, but at least I'm trying.
- CuriousRobot
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Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
When I have feelings of anxiety, I try not to let this leave my mind:
"If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?"
--Shantideva
Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
I will admit that a few months ago I got really tired of the painful injections. So I decided to give myself a little break and instead of doing them 3 times a week, I started doing them every 3rd day. But soon after, I noticed a new numbness on my shin that I hadn't had before so I went back to the 3 times a week regime.
I've been fortunate that my MS hasn't been too active, and hasn't changed my life very much. Any time the self pity has started to creep in, I've been able to compare my situation to others with MS or other diseases and conclude that I have nothing to complain about.
Not sure that helps, but it's all I got. Best to you,
Carolsue
Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif

Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
- Bubba
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Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
Froggie wrote: been on Rebif for almost two years. My biggest anxiety was injecting in my thighs, as they were always problematic. That took a lot of mental energy trying to psych myself up for it.
Thighs, Belly, didn't matter for me. It is not normal to stick yourself with a needle... I wasn't depressed about it nearly as much as I was self cathing. That was devistating for me. Here I am three years later, and niether one are a problem at all. I don't even think about it, I just do it. So I guess the answer in my case was that I just got used to it. BTW, throw the rebiject away. It is much less painful to self inject.
The problem comes with the decision of weighing the unknown with the unknown.
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Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif

DX in Dec. 2011, Rebif x3 per week.
Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
Welcome to ThisIsMS. I believe that you will find a supportive community here.
NHE
Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
Hey there - I have been taking rebif for years now. I will say that you will get better at injecting yourself, it will become a lot less painful for you. At least that is what happened with me. Everyone once in awhile I have one that hurts a little but the pain goes away almost immediately.gabriellelm wrote:I was diagnosed three days after Christmas 2011, so everything is still quite fresh for me. I dread the Rebif (44 mcg) shots not so much because they are painful but because I almost always experience an anxiety attack following them, sometimes waking up in the middle of the night in a panic. After reading a few of the other posts on this topic, I know I'm not alone, but it's still quite frustrating. I'm not much of a "joiner", thus have no fellow MSers locally to compare/contrast with. I'm really hoping this message board will help
I have not experienced anxiety like you have. I would hope with time the anxiety will settle as you become more familiar with the drug. I am sure your Dr would get you some medication to help with that if needed. I was diagnosed young at 19, so my mindset was more of I'll do anything it takes. Honestly I can say that since I've been on rebif I have not had another attack. Hopefully you have the same luck.
I hope my words help ease your mind at least a little!
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Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
DX in Dec. 2011, Rebif x3 per week.
Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
What I used to do and still do occasionally (I hate to admit to this) is find some videos or meet with some long time sufferers just to remind me of what MS can do. Makes those shots and after effects seem like nothing. Also makes the contributions to MS organizations seem like nothing as well.
Stick with it, like my doctor said to me when I was first diagnosed, at least it not a brain tumor.
(My apologies if this response offended anyone)
Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
Depression is the most difficult thing I deal with, but rebif has not made it any worse. I am glad.
Feel free to write about whatever you are feeling. Best of luck.
Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
Now I continue to improve greater strength longer mobility some muscle mass retuning to bad right leg.
Re: Emotionally Dealing with Rebif
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