avonex needles

After 33 minutes on the phone, they will be sending me some much thinner 1 1/4 inch needles, as well as some 1 inch needles to inject my arms with, and will send out a nurse to train my roommate. I talked to my roommate, and she said she could do that. Cool! The Avonex nurse I spoke with suggested I avoid the top of my left thigh, since that's where I have the most problems. Maybe the thinner needles will slip right in with no problem.

I hope things go really well for you and that you are one of the lucky ones with an easy adjustment period to the Avonex! I think the needles will be easier to adjust to than you think. I did the HCG diet last summer with Intramuscular Injections and by the end of the 40 injections, I was doing them myself instead of having to get my husband to do it. And I will admit that looking at those needles kind of intimidated me at first.

Thank you for the reply! I did have intravenous 1000mg of corticosteroid 3 days for three weeks. But my condition was not improving much so the doc and I decided to try for another course. The doc said it would be dangerous to do a fourth course and even more so to try for another. So ever since the fourth course they put me on oral pred that's right now down to 1 pill a day.

Avonex is super easy to use, and it hurts at most a tiny bit. Usually not at all. Once a week and it's done. Very easy to get used to. I've managed the flu-like stuff very well, and often don't even get it anymore. For me, the total lack of site reactions is the best thing about it, after my disastrous experience with Copaxone. Which is not to say anything against Copax---it's great for most people, just not me.

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..

I was given info on several and made the choice to use Avonex. I figured since I am not squeamish about needles, I could probably handle a once a week injection. It is just part of the routine now and I am one of the lucky ones who doesn't usually have flu like symptoms. My neuro started me off on 1/4 dose the first week, 1/2 the second and then full dose the next week, I think. I don't even remember!

I hate needles so I had my doctor write a prescription for the 1inch needles instead on 1 1/2 that come with each dose. I had flu symptoms for the first 2 shots. I alternated tylenol and advil all day and night during the first 48 hours after each shot. I had chills and body aches that would wake me up if I didn't. That was it though. I have noticed a decrease in the number of episodes and I felt like I had more energy within a couple of months.

But, it is quites possible that Avonex would also be okay for you. Avonex is a far lower dose per week, and since you have already acheived the immune response with the Rebif would kick in quickly. But, if you are very sensitive to the side effects of the Rebif, you might have them also with the Avonex. Now this is based on what I have read and NOT on experience. I am actually pretty ignorant of how these meds react in different people. But, these are my thought anyway.

I was just diagnosed last week and was given the option of which DMD I wanted to be on - I chose Betaseron. The insurance I am on does not carry it anymore and put me on Extavia (which is the same thing with a different name). I did ask the Nero which one she preffered and she said Avonex because it is just once a week but I didn't want the inter muscular needles (can't stand needles as it is).

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?!

The Cleveland Clinic Doctor Wants to start me on Avonex in the next couple of weeks and follow me here in Cleveland from now on. She feels that all of my problems are either MS or various meds that the doctors have given me in the past. No Sjogren's etc. ? Wow I was on Copaxone and it didn't work but am willing to try anything if it will stop this progression. 3 neuro's in the last 5 months with 3 different opinions. Rituxan, IVIG & now Avonex.

I was diagnosed in June with RRMS and have Avonex weekly, have lesions mainly on my mid rain and one on my spine, but I just don't think im absorbing that I have MS. Is this normal?

After more than seven years on Avonex I tried Gilenya about a year ago, hoping to put a life of needles behind me. After 19 days I stopped (and later resumed Avonex) because the side effects were dangerous for me. However, I would not discourage anyone else from taking it. Just be cautious if you have any kind of heart condition, even if it is a seemingly trivial condition. I don't think many folks reading this forum are Gilenya users.

Julie, They are coming out with an autoject for Avonex. My sister cant wait for it because she has been on Avonex for 9 years. It is already on the market in other countries just not in the US as of yet.

Hi, I'm on Avonex, which is once a week. I just reached the full dosage, and the side effects are getting somewhat better: I still am very tired and ache some the day after my injection. I'm told that they will continue to lessen for another 3 months or so; if so, they'll be no problem. The company that makes it has a great program with people to talk to and help with financial assistance, a nurse to ask questions of, and so much more.

I just found this web site and have MS diagnosed and currently using Avonex. Legs are driving me crazy and Md perscribed lyrica. Looks as if it has lots of side affects and I am leerie to try it. Has anyone used lyrica for MS and what results have you had?

I despise needles, so even though Avonex was working for me for more than seven years, I switched to Gilenya. It seemed so refreshing to simply take those tiny little capsules. But after 19 days (Oct. 31-Nov. 18), I’d had enough. I write not to alarm or scare anyone … my experience is unique, and Gilenya certainly works superbly for others. Posts to the Gilenya (Fingolimod) Users Support Group on Facebook, an outstanding resource at which I am still a member, are a testament to that.

m guessing that it is your complete hate and fear of needles that has you so upset. I can relate - my new ones for the Avonex are skinny but really long because they have to go in the muscle and OUCH! I have started crying every time I get an injection. With that in mind I still don't plan to volunteer to be one of the guinea pigs when the new oral drugs first come out.

When I started Avonex, they had a nurse come out and train me to do the injections. I was weaned onto it 1/4 dose the first week, 1/2 dose the next, 3/4 the third week and finally a full dose. The nurses are very helpful They gave me all sorts of free helpful stuff and I can call anytime I have a question. Call: 1-800-456-2255 and they can help you set this up. www.MSActiveSource.

I have heard the same numbers of people happy and unhappy on each drug. I know that my neuro chose to research Avonex and Tysabri and he prefers Avonex, but he would not have had a problem if I had chosen Copaxone or Rebif. They all claim to be superior and all have studies showing this that and the other. After hearing the recent news about Paxil, I'm starting to doubt all Pharm company claims. This doesn't mean real research. Just the stuff that comes out of the company.

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