avonex ms drug

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.

//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.

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!!

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. I can find no literature linking the two, but given that it is difficult to pay for the Avonex this year, I am happily taking a vacation.

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.

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.

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..

MS Patients using AVONEX pls share your expereinces with me after using it.. Is it benefitting you or are you having any prroblem or side effects of it..? Pls do tell me the Pros and cons of AVONEX.. Also share other things you people do to cure yourself of MS. Thanks......

I did attend one presentation from Biogen, makers of Avonex and Tysarbi and the entire presentation was about Tysarbi and the new oral drug to be marketed soon. No information was given on Avonex. The dinner was ok, the company was very pleasant though.

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.

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.

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?

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.

I am also guessing about the test injection you were given. It sounds like a TB skin test. Avonex helps decrease flares of MS symptoms by modifying the way a person's immune system works. There is a very small chance people taking it will be vulnerable to development of active tuberculosis. Your doctor is probably being extra careful and checking for any past exposure to TB so he can be sure you aren't at risk once you start Avonex treatment.

Hi, I have been taking Avonex for 6 yrs on and off. I stopped for 2 yrs when I had my third child and have been back on it for the past 2 1/2 yrs straight. I was diagnosed in 2005 and have been fortunate to have little to no changes in my MRIs. That is until I recently experienced vertigo which triggered an order for some MRIs. I have a new active lesion in my brain and one in my spine. My doctor thinks tysabri would be a great next choice.

s oral, Tecfidera aka BG-12, is slated for US FDA approval later this month. This new dosing for Avonex may be an effort to cut down on MS Market cannibalism as people shift from Biogen's Avonex to BG-12.

Hi Rondi, Bob and Shell have covered the interferon idea so let me jump to another one in your post. What are you basing the thought that you really don't need to be on a disease modifying drug for your MS? Are you willing to gamble that your next lesion or relapse won't be the one that affects your walking or your memory or your bladder, etc. We know that being proactive and taking treatment even when you think nothing is going on is the best way to avoid future damage.

I am interested in comparing the symptoms of MS with the symptoms of prolonged drug use. My Father was diagnosed with MS a few years back, but my step mother neglected to tell the Doctors of his history of drug abuse. I am just curious as to how it may have affected his diagnosis. Any resources available to help compare these are appreciated.

Hi guys hav'nt checked in lately, I've been having quite a few flair ups since I last checked in. Question for my MS family; I would like to try avonex hope I'm spelling it right any feed back good /bad just the expierence of people who has tried it before or is currently on.....presently using copaxone...

MS is a complicated disease, different for everybody, and there is no way any responses here can substitute for consultation with one or more medical professionals. We can only share from our own experiences and offer support. Fingolimod (Gilenya) and Mitoxantrone are very different therapies, the latter more common as a treatment for secondary progressive MS. Gilenya is prescribed for relapsing-remitting MS.

After 7 years I have finally was dx today with MS. I will be going on Avonex. I'm some what worried about the possible side effects that come with it. I also found out why I started losing my hair. It is a rare side effect of solumedrol infusion and it will grow back! =) Incase you are reading this an you were curious how my doctors made my diagnosis it was from a history of optic neuritis, clinical symptoms, positive Anti-GaGa test, atrophy of corpus callosum, and spinal lesions.

We raced off to see his neuro who was not pleased that he was having another attack only 6 months after beginning treatment with Avonex. His recent MRI from last week showed "significant improvement" lots of the lesions he had were not visible and the ones that are were much lighter than his first MRI. And he only had 1 new very small enhancing lesion... His neuro told us he would like us to consider switching to Tysabri! Switching already? Is it too soon?

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.

Common Questions and Answers about Avonex ms drug

avonex