avonex drug

Hi I am new to MS. My doctor prescribed Avonex. I have little to no drug insurance. I went to a site which offered discount coupons. I called them to ask them if this is a come on price or is this within reason the price every month. They would not give me an ansewr. Does someone here have any experience with this?

I have been a pincushion with this drug for 14 years. Prior to avonex it was beta which I had to stop because of welts (no where left to inject) Its really getting to me. I don't want to be a baby,but the shots are really getting on my nerves. I can't tell if avonex If is doing anything. I wish I had the words to explain. I really don't feel better and I think it is because i have had this disease for so long. Any suggestions? anyone? Thanks you!!

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?

To counteract the damage the drug does I did some research and take supplements to counteract the issues caused by the very thing(s) that are supposed to help. Question is, would a complete stoppage of pharmaceutical meds be a smart thing to do? I will say that progression has been slowed.....who's to say it's because of the pharmaceuticals? I am 55 yrs old, the mother of four raised primarily solo. Have endured much strife in life as have all others.

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.

//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.

Copaxone is the weakest and he did not recommend it for me. Betaseron, Rebif and Avonex are essentially the same drug, Intefereon beta, administered in different doses. My Neuro is a big believer in Neutralizing antibodies. Avonex NAB rate is around 5% Rebif around 10-15% Betaseron 25-30% NABs can bind to the active side of the interferon molecule rendering it useless. So naturally (if you believe in NABs) you would likely pick the one with the lowest NABs.

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.

I was DX with MS in late 2003. I had lost the ability to walk and my sight in my left eye by the time MS was even considered. My DR wanted me to go on an ABC drug and Avonex was the only once a week drug so that's what I chose. (very scared of needles) It is a inter muscular shot lots of site injection pain, lumps, bruising and next day flu like symptoms. After a year I had another exasubation that landed me in the hospital.

If not, perhaps having a care partner trained (for the backside and/or arms) or getting set up with the Avonex pen would make it easier for you to bear with the drug a little longer, at least until BG-12 or Campath are available options. I’m thankful that Avonex works for me and that I was able to fall back on it (as you would be able to as well), although I no longer give myself shots.

Hi - I am starting on Avonex next week and of course am concerned about side effects but like the once a week part of the treatment. Those that are on Avonex how do you handle the side effects any tips you can give me?

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.

I'm sorry you feel so poorly. I haven't started any disease modfying drug yet, that will come in mid August. I've heard this about Avonex. The National MS Society website has some great info: www.nationalmssociety.org Here is what is a small portion of what is said about Avonex side effects: "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.

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.

She summed up that I was having more issues with Avonex than MS. She recommended that I switch from Avonex to Gilenya. I like the fact that it is oral, but I would like to hear opinions from others. I don't know much about Gilenya because my old neuro said that it was not for me. I am in the process of reading all the stuff the neuro gave me. Please respond and let me know what you think.

It’s possible you will find them debilitating (as did G8trLeslie), and it’s possible Avonex or any other drug simply may not work for you, but it’s also possible you may not deal with side effects at all. I’ve used Avonex for more than eight years. Side effects certainly were nasty in the first few injections (and these days titration is common to avoid that). Side effects were undesirable for a few months, but I kept reminding myself they were better than the disease itself.

t find much about this as a side effect on-line) or am I in that lucky 4% of Avonex users who have hair loss. If it is the Avonex, will it stop as my body gets used to the drug? Good God I hope so! Any insight is appreciated, as this is really stressing me out.....which can also cause hair loss!!!

Hi anuj, I read ur question. I also diagnosed ms just few days ago, nd I also prescribed injection avonex. But I wish I could give u exact answer but I don't have any personally experience about avonex coz I don't start avonex yet but I know I will.Just m saying that i found on google that when ever u inject just relax, don't take any stress, u may get flu like symptom so take ibruphen, take rest how much u can, then of course, u can manage it.

My neuro, who does a wartload of research on AVonex and Tysabri, told me that Avonex "hits its full effect around 6 months," and when I was having symptoms at that time (actaully for me it was 7 to 8 months) did not feel that Avonex had been given a full chance. I think 6 months is jumping the gun a little, just based on the words of one of the major researchers, but I can't tell you that I really know.

I have been on Avonex for 10 years. I am feeling pretty good. Very few ms problems. 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.

Today was my week 48 visit on my drug trial extension (was on the blinded phase three for 144 weeks prior). I was able to go over the MRI that was taken this very morning with the principle investigator and see it compared to the several I've had through the years, from the beginning. Nothing active, and everything looks stable. In fact, some of the past lesions are less pronounced (as in some manner of healing has taken place).

I used Avonex for 396 shots (7+ years), and after going to Gilenya on Halloween I’m going back to Avonex this month. The flu-like side effects of Avonex are most common, but often easily minimized. Some keys are to keep hydrated, inject in the afternoon or evening (preferably Fri/Sat if you work a standard week) and use drugs such as Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, etc. For me the side effects lessened over time. However, I know of others that found them intolerable.

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