avonex depression

In addition to the side effect of chemical depression from avonex there is the very real situational depression many of us feel when faced with a chronic disease. Either way, this depression is very real and is best if you talk it through with your doctors.

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.

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.

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.

I've been on Avonex almost 5 months and am doing fine. I suppose some people find it makes them depressed, but I don't recall anyone here talking about depression with Avonex. As to the flu stuff, it can be minimized. I'm very fortunate in that regard. I do my shot at night, then take an Ambien and an Aleve, and go to bed. I sleep through anything that might be going on and wake up feeling fine. That's just me, though. Before Avonex I was on Copaxone.

It is normal to feel blue and to go through a grieving process when DXd with MS. My doctor put me on a mild AD for a year while I adjusted, came to accept it and moved on. The Avonex will make you achy, fluey sick but shouldn'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.

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.

Hey babe, I'm sorry to here your having a rough time at the moment :o( thats not good! I did wonder if the reason behind it though, could be with your changes of medication. Avonex is often switched because of increase of anxiety or depression so if you've already started using it or just about to, it might be worth looking through our 'search this community' pages for Avonex and depression posts.

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

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.

I have been on Avonex for the last 15 years and have finally reached my limit. I am taking a 6 week break from the Avonex and will be starting Copaxone at the end of April. I actually have two questions: 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?

Candy, this really perplexes me, now. Avonex is an interferon and it is known to have problems with depression in some people, especially if they are already prone to depression. Our own dear Quix sunk quickly on Avonex and if I remember correctly, she didn't recognize how bad it was until she got off of it. Other people have absolutely no problems. The Canadian system may not have approved payment for Gilenya, but that would surprise me.

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)....

One patient in the placebo group attempted suicide; no AVONEX®-treated patient attempted suicide. The incidence of depression was equal in the two treatment groups. However, since depression and suicide have been reported with other interferon products, AVONEX® should be used with caution in patients with depression (see WARNINGS). In the placebo-controlled study, four patients receiving AVONEX® experienced seizures, while no seizures occurred in the placebo group.

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.

If you stay on the Avonex I would ask your doctor to check your liver function and other levels with a blood test every 3-6 months for the first year to make sure your body is handling it well. Are you having any side effects now from the Avonex, such as depression, flu-like symptoms, etc? I am on Avonex now and the website is helpful. Also, did you get an info packet when you started? I found that helpful, too. Why do your doctors think its MS? Have you seen an MS specialist?

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.

I just started on Avonex (had my 2nd injection a few days ago). I'm wondering if I will ever feel like I did prior to it. My side effects are not bad at all if I take Ibuprofen regularly. I stopped taking it b/c my stomach started hurting on & off everyday. Since I stopped it, my stomach doesn't hurt anymore, but I have headaches all the time. My head feels kind of spacey also. Will this go away? I am so new to all of this.

I had forgotten that Plegridy even exists, so I looked it up for more info. Turns out it is made by Biogen Idec, who also make and market Avonex and Tysabri. It is a kind of interferon, and is administered via injection every two weeks. The doses are stepped up, with full levels reached after several weeks.

Avonex depression

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