avonex cost

My gait is somewhat labored, I have intention tremor in my hands and some numbness on my left side. I am considering stopping my Avonex becausse of the cost. Have not seen my neurologist yet but want another persons opinion also.

Hi, I'm on Avonex, which is once a week. I just reached the full dosage, and the side effects are getting somewhat better: I still am very tired and ache some the day after my injection. I'm told that they will continue to lessen for another 3 months or so; if so, they'll be no problem. The company that makes it has a great program with people to talk to and help with financial assistance, a nurse to ask questions of, and so much more.

Hi, I was recently diagnosed with MS and had my first Avonex injection Friday. Friday night was tough (fever, chills, pain and eventually heavy sweating) but I felt pretty good by Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon I started feeling kind of down and by Sunday morning I feel even more so. I can't decide if this is a result of the drug or just the situation as a whole.

I'm stressing about the cost of drugs. I don't even have a ballpark idea of what this is going to be like. I guess none of these drugs go on the first or second tier of my prescription coverage formulary. What happens if you don't have the money? Do some DMDs cost less than others?

First, contrary to what maxthecat wrote, this is from the Avonex medication guide: "AVONEX PEN should only be injected into the muscle of your upper, outer thigh." Anyway, I hate the shots too, so I completely know how you feel … although I’ve been taking them only half as long as you have.

No one covers it, but many insurance companies have lowered the cost. It cost me $225 a month last year and this year is down to $85 a month. There are also clauses about medicare bumping you off their lists and so on, so read the fine print and save some time later.

I have tried Ampyra and it did not help me, it gave me really bad side effects such as shortness of breath. I don't take anything now and I am just hardly walking at all. I don't know what to do.

Jason, I'm glad to know you understand the Mob rules around here - once you show up and become part of the forum you are not allowed to leave ..... Q will send her team after you if you try! :-) Seriously, I know I gain so much support from the people here and you will benefit the same I'm sure. Its good to here you will be around. Be sure to sit down when you hear the drug cost because it may be a shocker- I don't know about the cost of avonex.

Thanks so much for the input and sentiment. It's always comforting to have support and you all have always been so awesome. I think I'm going to ask a few questions of my own to my Neurologist and, depending on the cost, try out Avonex. I'm going to have to just suck it up and make myself do the injections, but I'd rather do that than face the alternative.

Ok, so this new neurologist wants to stick to a diagnosis of Transverse Myelitis rather than MS. I thought the criteria for transverse myelitis was a single incident, not multiple incidents. I went from April to July without any symptoms at all and then in July I started having the symptoms that I went to this neuro for in the first place. That, to me, would indicate 2 separate incidents, not one. Either way, it doesn't matter.

The Cleveland Clinic Doctor Wants to start me on Avonex in the next couple of weeks and follow me here in Cleveland from now on. She feels that all of my problems are either MS or various meds that the doctors have given me in the past. No Sjogren's etc. ? Wow I was on Copaxone and it didn't work but am willing to try anything if it will stop this progression. 3 neuro's in the last 5 months with 3 different opinions. Rituxan, IVIG & now Avonex.

Sigh, I have a question from a friend. She would like to know if avonex causes calcium deficiency? She is diagnosed with ms. Not like me.

Is anyone on avonex? My dr. wants to switch me to avonex, but with having lupus, I really don't want to go on an interferon. I'm on copaxone, now but because I have large welts on my arms he wants to switch me. I don't want to switch. Do I have the right to deny a new medication I feel would be detrimental to me?

Flu-like symptoms are a fairly common side effect during the initial weeks of Avonex treatment. It is recommended that you take your Avonex injection before bedtime. Immediately before your injection, and for the 24 hours that follow the injection, patients have found that use of over the counter pain and fever reducing medications can help with this common side effect." You could also get on the Avonex website for further info. good luck. hope that you feel better soon.

I have been on copaxone for little over a year its not working for me so my neuro has asked me to try avonex. My avonex nurse is coming this evening but I am wondering how long you actually gave it to get the symptoms of the shot to calm down. I am crossing everything to hope I dont get the flu symptoms so bad but we will see. I have a husband that works away and 3 small kids to care for, I dont want to be in bed all weekend when its the only time we get to spend as a family.

Hi guys, has anyone not heard from the AVONEX people once they were put on it.??? I have heard from heath nurses, and today, got my WELCOME package, but still no product. I don't know what is going on, and of course the lady or the rep from Avonex is away on holidays till the 2nd. of Dec..... so, I guess we will do it next week ... Just to let you guys know, they stopped my antiobiotic IV today, and said that it was an MS attack. Wherever there are nerves, MS can strike.

Hi Candy, When I was on the Avonex I had terrible itchy skin. I would start scratching and I would well up from the scratching. I also found that it dried out my skin as well. I use pure coconut oil right out of the shower then gold bond lotion right over the top of the oil. It seems to be helping tremendously. The oil soaks in quickly and the lotions seems to seal in the moisture. I hope this helps. Sorry you have this to deal with on top of everything else.

I have heard the same numbers of people happy and unhappy on each drug. I know that my neuro chose to research Avonex and Tysabri and he prefers Avonex, but he would not have had a problem if I had chosen Copaxone or Rebif. They all claim to be superior and all have studies showing this that and the other. After hearing the recent news about Paxil, I'm starting to doubt all Pharm company claims. This doesn't mean real research. Just the stuff that comes out of the company.

//www.themcfox.com/multiple-sclerosis/ms-drugs/avonex/avonex-blood-counts.htm updated 2004, it might be worth finding out if your having a negative reaction and need to change DMD.

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