avonex for ms

Thanks for posting this. I am going to find out more about it.

After being on Avonex for 1 1/2 years I have developed new side effects?? Red eyes with severe pain (in my eyes & behind my eyes) It started several months ago and now happens with each weekly injection. Has anyone here had to discontinue Avonex due to side effects?

My doctor offered me AVONEX for that and I used AVONEX for almost 1 year. But about 6 months back, I felt some slight disability on my left side. I cannot move my left leg properly after about 15 minutes walk now. I don't now it is again symptom for MS or not. Is there any body here to help me. I really appreciate any answer. BTW, I am right handed.

Should my neurologist have used the McDonald criteria for diagnosing MS on 2003? I know today pharmaceutical companies say the sooner the better but what happens to a body that takes Copaxone for 4.5 years and never had MS? Did I have experimental allergic encephalomyelitius? Wasn't Copaxone developed to give mice MS? There must be a strict specific requirement before a person should be on Copaxone. Please help me.

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.

Is anyone in a clinical trial for MS? There are a few out there, one that is a T-Cell vaccine, two are oral and one that pairs Copaxone with daily oral steroid use. Just interested in peoples experiences.

I HAVE BEEN ON AVONEX FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND MY NEURO HAS NEVER SPOKEN OF CALCIUM DEFICIENCY. I HAVE READ THE PAMPHLET THAT COMES IN THE BOX, AND DO NOT REMEMBER READING ANYTHING LIKE. I HAVE ONE AT THE HOUSE AND WILL READ AGAIN AND THEN LET YOU KNOW. I ALSO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DR ON TUESDAY, I WILL MAKE IT A NOTE TO ASK HER. WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON HER RECOMMENDATIONS. TAKE CARE AND YOU ARE A WONDERFUL PERSON BY ASKING SOMETHING FOR A FRIEND.

I have relapsing remitting MS and am on Avonex too, for the past 5 years. MS began 14 years ago and I ignored it until a serious episode of optic neuritis made me seek medical help. I absolutely agree that depression is a major side effect of MS and Avonex use. I too am irritable, cannot multi-task well, and have a rather blunted affect. My husband and I have separated.

//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.

Hi, Jef and welcome to the club. Sorry you have MS, but I am very glad you are being proactive and taking Avonex. If I remember correctly, Avonex is titrated (each dose bigger than the last) until you get to the full dose, but the prefilled syringes you get are filled with the full dose amount. There should be some leftover until you get all the way to the full dose. I've not been on Avonex, but for some reason that sticks with me.

I am a 59 year old male who had been on Avonex for 15 years. A few years ago, I had to have some pre-cancerous anal warts removed. It was assumed that I had HPV. I am also gay, but was not sexually active before starting Avonex. On a check up last year, the rectal surgeon said that they are seeing an uptick of people with MS developing this problem. Although he did not correlate it with Avonex, I am terrified; he just found another spot.

In the end, my heart rhythm problems (and periodic hypoglycemia) are most likely related to the MS so they felt that Copaxone might help my heart by helping the MS. They put a pacemaker in last year but continued to approve Copaxone. Hope you find something you (and your docs) can be comfortable with.

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 ?

I have been taking the Avonex shot for a few months now and have become accustomed to the effects of it. However tonight I have taken my shot and now I am having a tingeliing sensation going on. It's in my arm (R), both legs and also my abdomen. I know what to look for medically to be concerned but no where have I seen this as a side effect. Has anyone else experenced this?

I am an MS patient and I have recently started taking Avonex, (I have had two injections so far) and I have been having problems sleeping.Does anyone know if Avonex causes insomnia, at all? I have read all the possible side effects Avonex may bring, but sleeplessness doesn't seem to be in the list.

Hi Rondi, Welcome! Sorry about the dx :(( It's such an unpredictable disease. What have you gone through so far? If you feel comfortable, please do tell us some of how you came to diagnosis. As for the meds, I've tolerated them fairly well. The nurses that come out teach you good techniques and with Rebif the needle was very thin - I've heard the same about Avonex. For me, the flu-like symptoms were not as bad as the flu.

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've been on Avonex for 2.5 years and it's suited me well but I have just had a 4 week break. I then took my injection on Tuesday night and was strangely fine on Wednesday and Thursday but on Friday, Saturday and today I have lost about 50% of my strength from my left arm and leg. Is this likely to be a side effect from restarting the Avonex (muscle weakness) or a relapse?

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.

I have experience with both Avonex AND Copaxone. I took Avonex for three years. I DID have the flu like side effects for 3-4 days after the shot. Unfortunately, the side effects did not wane, so after 3 years I gave up on it. It was an excellent drug at preventing any progression of my MS and no more additional lesions on MRI. I am now on Copaxone, which was chosen due to no flu-like side effects. Taking a daily shot is really no big deal. I have been on it for a year.

Hard to answer your question without more information. Why do you have only those four choices? Avonex (which I’ve used for 11 years) and others are notably absent from your list. Avonex, Rebif, and Betaseron have been around longest and have the strongest safety profiles. If your MS is more aggressive, then you may be more inclined to consider Gilenya, Tecfidera, Aubagio, or Tysabri. All of the DMDs are discussed from a neutral perspective at the link below: http://www.nationalmssociety.

ve been on Avonex for the past two months. The side effects have been minimal for me. My problem is now my liver enzymes are elevated. Dr. said I may have to try something else if my elevated liver enzymes continue. I don't like the idea of a daily shot with Copaxone, but I'm also concerned about the side effects of the oral medications. I won't consider Tysabri at this point because my MS diagnosis is fairly new and I want to try other treatments first.

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