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?
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.
Yes, I think you really need to report this to your neuro. Are you being monitored for liver problems since starting Avonex? That's always a good idea with this med, since the enzyme levels can get fouled up.
I also get just the usual effects from Avonex (on it 4 months), but I've learned how to minimize them and so am doing very well thus far.
Please talk to your doctor and let us know what you find out.
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..
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.
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.
I'm just curious... Do Avonex injections hurt all that much? I do a subcutaneous Betaseron injection and I don't feel a thing, not even a pinch when I inject. I just wanted to keep an open mind about possibly switching DMDs but the thought of doing an intramuscular injection gives me the heebie jeebies.
Have there been any studies published as to the possible long term effects of Avonex use?
I am a 10 yr + user of Avonex and am becoming concerned.
My healing time from minor cuts etc seems to be exceedingly long. I recently under went dental surgery and my dentist commented on my slow healing.
I am at an age where major surgery occurs and fractures also some times and I am afraid that I would be debileated long term or worse if this was to occur.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
00pm, will I have an adverse effect from the combination of the two?
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.
Wondering if Avonex can cause itchiness & rashes throughout body after a few mos. of using. Was on it for 1 1/2 yrs., stopped for 8 mos. & resumed. Started getting some rashes & itchiness throughout body. Thank you
!
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.
Hi all, just wondering if anyone has experienced cardiac problems , ie increased BP and angina type pain, when they were on Beta interferon injections?
hi everybody. i just started my avonex last sat. the first shot went good. felt good afterwards. no side efects. did my shot this week and man i feel like a train hit me. my neck my back are hurting me. my eyes are bothering me a headace. real tired. dont feel like doing nothing. go to my nero. on friday morning. is this normal after doing avonex? i seem like i cant do anything very long at all. it wears me out and i hurt all the time. my left leg just dont do what its surpose to do.
If any of your are taking or are thinking about or will be taking Avonex, if the Avonex nurse tells you to take it close to or at bed time. He/She is NOT playing around! I have been on Avonex for 6 weeks with no problems. Last night I fell asleep before I took my shot so I took it around noon after I got out of the shower. That was a a BIG MISTAKE! I was okay for most of the day, but I started feeling crappy (nauseous) around 4 or 5, by 8 pm I was making repeated trips to the toilet!
Actually went pretty welll. He told me that the nerve/muscle problems I have had in my arm since the 90's were probably not MS related - So it appears my first incident was about 2 years sgo. Which makes me a very "late" bloomer... I will be 50 next month.
We tallked about fatigue, my other meds, confirmed the blood work from last visit and talked DMDs. We are going to try and see if insurance will approve Gilenya. Not too hopeful, it is not fomulary... If not, Avonex.
Has anyone every gone off the Avonex--& if so how did it go? Wanting so badly to quit the shots! Been doing them since '98 & it's getting hard to get the needle through the skin on my legs. I went from '78 to '98 with no episodes & was diagnosed then. That was with no meds of any kind for that 20 years!!
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