avonex autoinjector

My sister is on Avonex and is so excited about the autoinjector. She doesn't have one yet because they aren't available in out area yet but she can't wait to get one!

An MSWorld user "zeldaz" lost her Avogrip, a plastic piece that clips to an Avonex syringe and makes it easier to handle. Apparently they are no longer available from Biogen. The draconian forum admins there deleted offers to send "zeldaz" a new, unopened one. If "zeldaz" sticks her nose in here, send me a PM.

I take Avonex which is inter-muscular and they told me that after the skin there are no nerve endings. Many times I don't feel anything but sometimes it just seems to hurt more. Last night was one of those times. I wonder if my menstrual cycle has anything to do with it? I tend to deal with this by "forgetting" to take my shot. Any advice to make this easier would be appreciated.

And told to choose one. I had finally made my mind up to try Avonex. I liked the idea of only having to inject once a week. Then on Tuesday i seen a new Neuro and he said he would like to see me on something stronger. Possibly Rebif ? Now i don't see him again til May. Kind of worried i should be on something already. The sooner i start the better right ??

So I have until mid-October to make a decision on which DMD to start and would like some views on your experiences with the drugs. The Neuro is not keen on Avonex (and to tell the truth, I am not keen on the idea of injecting into muscle) but I think I will be fine with the other three - Copaxone, Rebif and Betaseron (called Betaferon here in OZ). Looking forward to seeing your opinions.

Torikat, are you taking Avonex or Rebif? Avonex is injected into muscle and (I believe) only approved for self-injection using the thigh. Sidesteps, I do think you should (at a minimum) call the nurse who does your injection teaching. A review of technique and sites never hurts. With an exam and live review the nurse might be able to discover the reason you have had problems since starting to use the auto-injecting technique.

Do all of you know that there is now an autoinjector for your avonex? Yep. The FDA has approved it and it is now available in the US. Be sure to call your avonex hotline and ask about getting it. The directions for use are available on their website and they make it look complicated, but I am sure it is an easy routine. Your training nurse should be able to come to your home and teach you how to use this, too. http://www.avonex.com/pdfs/guides/Autoinjector_PEN_IFU.

m guessing that it is your complete hate and fear of needles that has you so upset. I can relate - my new ones for the Avonex are skinny but really long because they have to go in the muscle and OUCH! I have started crying every time I get an injection. With that in mind I still don't plan to volunteer to be one of the guinea pigs when the new oral drugs first come out.

One thing I am doing more consistently is injecting deeper with the autoinjector. I now adjust it to 10, the deepest it will go. I make sure therer is enough flesh to go into so I don't go too deep. I haven't had any bleeding or backflow of medicine since switching to 10. Just want to share this with those who may be new to Copaxone and having trouble.

I agree with TLC, If you have trouble with handling the needle, you should use the auto injector. You will probably need to anyway, because since you are going to be injecting everyday you will need to use all your injection sites. Some of them are very challenging with the auto injector... Alternatively, I recommend Avonex. It's only once a week, so maybe the liver problems are reduced? And the flu symptoms aren't that bad.

I have already taken a year of Avonex and will not go back to that or any type of IM injections. Thanks for the help!

I just started avonex 3 weeks ago and it is a shot injected into your muscle. I was ok the first 2 weeks because it was in my arm. I havent given myself one yet because the nurse that came to train me said I needed a back up person because there would be days I wouldn't feel like doing it myself and there are locations where it isn't possible to inject myself (arms). I cried in front of her too.

I just want to say to everyone who does the intramuscular DMDs (Avonex and ?) that I really feel for you. Does it always hurt like crazy? This evening while doing my first MANUAL inject of Copaxone on my own, I hit my thigh muscle. OMG - the pain!! My leg is still quivering and it happened maybe 45 min ago. Apparently, I don't know how to measure my invisible "fat." I went straight in and hit something.

Hi Mike, I can not answer as I take Avonex - Autoinjector as I swtiched from syringe....really just wanted to say hello...how are you. I CAN say although I inject in muscle for my med...I am kinda torn and like both.. BUT HEY!!! Hi and how are you!

Just wondering how many Avonex users stuggle with depression. I usually get emotional a week before my period...but this time around it is going into 2 weeks. I don't want to start an antidepressant if its not necessary but I have been emotional, feel blah, and very tired. Maybe its just coming to terms with the diagnosis...Im not sure. I have been taking avonex for 9 weeks. If you are on an antidepressant what made you decide it was time to start it?

Julie, They are coming out with an autoject for Avonex. My sister cant wait for it because she has been on Avonex for 9 years. It is already on the market in other countries just not in the US as of yet.

Dear all, I have posted on this forum about the terrible side effects (depression) Avonex and Rebif have caused me- thank you again so much for helping me. It was also very important to me to hear once more from someone who has real experience how I shouldn't have been started on any interferon to start with as I suffer from chronic recurrent depression.

You also may want to call the support nurse and talk about the depth setting on your autoinjector, if you are using one. Sometimes a change in depth will help with the lumps.

But Avonex is a great drug at preventing relapses and you have to keep fighting. Avonex needs time to work and get calmed down in your body. Your doctor will tell you that. Keep pre-medicating and make sure that medication is warmed up to at LEAST room temperature before you inject. That's SO important. Take your shot at night, so you sleep through most of your side effects, if you aren't already doing so. You gonna do this LA...we are behind you. Please hang in there...

I'm betting you use the autoinjector. What setting for your arms? I have only had the raised welt once and it was from not injecting deep enough. The itching goes with the territory. I guess that is how we know our body is reacting to the Copaxone.

Avonex autoinjector

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