avonex and depression

If you are otherwise doing well on Avonex, I would suggest watching the problem for a short while longer (providing it is not severe) to see if you can really correlate depression and Avonex usage. If so, starting an antidepressant would be a good idea. Many MSers have depression as a symptom regardless of DMD status, and you might check out our Health Page entry about this. Your other option is to switch to a non-interferon.

I called in the Rx for Avonex when their automated system called me and hung up; I did a call-back, and ordered my Avonex and thinner needles. Looked in on the forum, typed the above and one other comment. Threw on my clothes and went to dinner with my roommate; soup and salad. Oh, I did take 100 mg. of Tegretol and my afternoon vicodin and felt much better. The stuff at the beach was stretched out over 3 1/2 days, and my roommate did all the driving.

i have posted something similar not too long ago- as my -additional- problem is recurrent major depression for more than 10 years so far.

My neuro put me on an antidepressant right from the get go. Avonex can cause depression and one symptom of depression is irritibility. You might ask for something and give it a try. MS and depression already go hand in hand, so it might be of value to you. My side effects are hit and miss, too. I only use the thighs and rotate each week. That was just the way I was shown. I think I would have issues with the arms as well since the needle is a little longer for IM injections.

I have also battled depression for most of my life. I went on Avonex and noticed a difference in my thinking, but not in my physical symptoms of depression. What I had was an increase in morbid thoughts, but not in any kind of intention. I didn't know this until I became unable to afford the Avonex and went off of it. I will be able to go back on the med soon, and I think I will choose to go back on the Interferon.

Have you talked to your doctor about the depression? I looked it up and it can be a side effect of Avonex. It's not something I would wait and see about. I've dealt with depression before so I understand how horrible it can be. I currently take an antidepressant and wouldn't want to live without it.

I have several concerns, I have hypothyroid, kidney desease, and in the past suffered a clinical depression. From what I've read, the thyroid and depression are contraindicaitons for using Avonex. I have extreme medication sensitivity, tend to have side effects easily. My mother died of chf. With all I've read about avonex, I truly feel it is a very poor choice for me.

But, I have seen, looking back through my posts and my diary, that I had quite a bit more depression since starting the Avonex. I have chronic depression anyway, but it was worse. That has not improved. It's not a huge deal, no major depressive episodes, but my mood and outlook is more grim on the med. I can see that I am in the minority in the depression category. I do think I have never quite come to terms with the loss of my career.

t affect your spirits, even though I think depression is listed as a side affect. I have been on Avonex for about a year and a half and have found that my right side reacts better when injected than my left. I also inject in the early evening, then take 2 tylenol and two naprox about an an hour later. Usually I wake up pretty free of the yucks next morning.

Avonex possible side effects are depression and flu-like symptoms--fever/shivers, body aches and pains, general crappiness. These are usually helped by aspirin, or similar products, particularly ibuprofen. I was on Avonex for a number of years. What you describe sounds to me much more like a relapse. I'm betting OTC products don't help. And although I do understand wanting a bit of a break from Avonex, not a good idea.

Given he is beginning avonex shortly, we have decided to delay the plans and see how he does on the medication. Has anyone dealt with this?? I have heard avonex symptoms have lasted for years - given this I am not sure if starting a family will be in the cards for us anytime soon. Any positive experiences on this front? I am very concerned mostly for my husband's well being but also for the toll this may take on the plans we had together.

I have MS and I'm on venlafaxine, but for pre-existing depression. I can't really speak to it in the context it's been prescribed for you, but I do recommend a slow titration of the dose. I remember starting out and getting pretty nauseous on 75mg. The reduced me to 37.5mg and then slowly raised it to the 112.5mg I've been on for a few years now.

I did mention the depression to her and we are trying to wait and see if it subsides as the Avonex settles into my system. She said the side effects hopefully will reduce and she think te depression is from the avonex. As for the physical therapy, I am more than happy go be proactive about it. I am 25 so I have a long road a head and considering I'm limping and can't feel it I think it's best to try some PT.

If avonex doesn't thrill you, then tell your doctor you want to discuss other treatments. The studies show that the DMD's are all pretty much the same in effectiveness rate. It is their delivery method that is so radically different. Don't worry about questioning your doctors - that is important that you are a key part of all these discussions.

We do know that some people never really adjust to the side effects of the interferons like Avonex - the depression and flu like symptoms can be very real and hard on some people. I would strongly urge you to talk with your doctor about trying a different type of therapy drug that isn't an interferon. We know that for some reason these drugs work in slowing down the progression of MS and there's nothing else available to us right now that would do the same.

1) Has anyone taken a break from their medication for that long (and if so, any consequences) and 2) Has anyone switched from Avonex to Copaxone, and if so, how did you do? I still after all these years lose a day on the weekend due to the side effects of the Avonex and am hoping that will not be the result with Copaxone.

She has told me to stop my copaxone, and to go and get the antibiotics for my infection, and wait for a month, and she wants me to start Avonex *sp* , so, I am going to start investigating this one, she did not want me to go the route of the chemo yet, and wants to try the avonex first. So, hoping this will happen, without me having to be the police on my case !!! LOL I am still waiting for the new specialist appt, about my bladder , and hoping it will be sooner than later.

While I understnd the potential benefits of avonex, I am concerned that the side effects from avonex and once again facing everything will set him back again. He tends to get depressed at times so I am specifically concerned about that aspect. In addition, he works in a very high pressure job and I am concerned that this may leave him sidelined from work (in an environment that he does not want to open up to about the situation yet)....

I have had MS for 10 years and I just stopped my AVONEX so I can try and get pregnant I know it sounds stupid but there is no studies on avonex and pregnancy so I just thought I would ask if any one else has been on some treatment or off to get pregnant? and how long were you off your meds ?

For those of you on Interferons, make sure that your doctor is doing follow up blood work, at least every 6 months to check how your liver is handling the drug. And for those of you prone to depression, need to be ever watchful if your depression worsens. As with any drug, you can become "immune" to one of the DMD's. It may have worked very well for years, then suddenly you start to show signs of increased relapses and symptoms.

m highly allergic to it! So, on to plan B. I chose Avonex next, and have done well on it, in terms of both disease progression and side effects management. Nothing is 100%, but I really can't complain. Keep in mind that if what you choose doesn't work for some reason, you can always change it. Nothing is written in stone. I do understand your reluctance to take some of these meds, but you will find that you need them.

ve kicked around the CRABs here, a lot. Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron are the primary four. Your doctor didn't offer Tysabri as your fifth, did he? I like the Decision Maker tool in the uk that walks you through the drugs and helps you figure what is important for you. You can access this at http://www.msdecisions.org.uk welcome to the world of drugs aand bills. I'm glad to hear you are getting treatment for your CIS. Congrats on that one.

What if you are on avonex and you believe you dont have ms, but the dr's do, what are the long term affect of taking avonex?

) and still have a safe and fulfilling sex life. Your best bet is to discuss this with your doctors and possibly and Infectious Disease Doctor. The doctors may recommend vaccinating your partner. They may also consider the risk of contracting HPV to be a low risk exposure and do nothing. Most people with MS can be vaccinated with "non-live virus" vaccines. Gardasil is a VLP (Virus Like Partials) vaccine (so it is safe) protecting against infection by HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11.

Avonex and depression

Common Questions and Answers about Avonex and depression

avonex