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.
t even remember the name of. Anyways, I started taking Avonex. This coming up week will be my 5th injection. I have suffered through the fever, the body aches, let me make that severe muscle pains, abdominal pains, and the list goes on. The one side effect that is really worrying me is the depression. I have never been so depressed in my life. In fact I have never been what I would call depressed. I've have some really hard times but I've always been able to push through.
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.
What? Your doctor thinks that since you haven't had an attack in several years, you should stop taking the treatment designed to prevent attacks?? This makes zero sense to me.
I'm not necessarily an advocate of Avonex (which I took for several years), but I *am* an advocate, a big one, of fighting MS with one of the many treatments now on the market. If you were currently having problems with Avonex I'd suggest you try one of the pill treatments.
For all you Avonex users can you share on how long these lumps last after injection. When I used copaxone my nickname was lumpy. Their injections are daily so constantly stayed lumpy. I thought I would get a break with Avonex since it's weekly. The lumps are still there. My legs are actually sore.
I don't know if ice or heat would help. I'm open for suggestions......
Thank you, Francyna.
Hi I have a question- I have been on Copaxone for over 10 years and I am suffering with indented sites which can no longer let my shots be injected. My question is which of the ms treatments should I go to next? My MS dr. gave me papers on Avonex but the side effects is what I'm worried about. My Copazone has worked so well I'm afraid to change but just running out of places to give the shot. Thanks for any reply's..
Hi there, I did Rebif for a year but my arm spasticity kept me from switching injection sites like I needed to so a year ago I switched to Tecfidera.
I think most folks have some gastro issues after being on the full dose for a week or two but it does vary from one person to another.
My gastro issues were bad and I had to taper back down and go back up to the full dose much more gradually. At that point I was given the option to stop taking Tec but I managed to push through.
MY DR WANTS ME TO TAKE AVONEX OR REBIF, TRIED COPAXONE IN 2004 HORRIBLE LUMPS THE SIZE OF GOLF BALLS. STOPPED AFTER 3 MOS. I AM GETTING WORSE IN MY GAIT. MY KNEES ARE WEAK & IN PAIN. I AM JUST INTOERABLE TO ABOUT EVERY DRUG OUT THERE. CAN'T TAKE ANTIDEPRESSANTS- WHICH I NEED TO TAKE ACCORDING TO ALL I READ. WHAT HAVE YOU STRUGGLED THROUGH & HOW LONG TO MAKE A DECISION. IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE & SCAREY. MY QUAILTY OF LIFE IS GETTING WORSE - SO ONLY A FOOL WOULDN'T TRY - RIGHT?!
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?
There is a serious disease PML related to Tysabri. The medication was taken off the market several years ago due to three people dying of PML- Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy. They found out the reason people contracted PML was because they were taking Avonex/and the other MS medications with Tysabri. I think the Tysabri has given me a second chance at helping slow my disease progress, but with out it I would be on no MS medications to slow the disease.
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.
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