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.
Avonex ® Side Effects
(interferon beta-1a)
Decreased Peripheral Blood Counts
Decreased peripheral blood counts in all cell lines (resulting in a reduced ability to fight infection), including rare pancytopenia (simultaneous decrease in the numbers of red and white blood cells) and thrombocytopenia (reduction in the number of platelets in the blood), have been reported in patients using Avonex ®.
Cheers.........
Avonex has stood the test of time for thousands of patients, and I would certainly agree with your doctor about your next step in the battle against MS.
It’s fair to be worried about the flu-like side effects of Avonex or other interferons, but there are simple things you can do (which I won’t get into now) to minimize or mitigate those 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. Immediately before your injection, and for the 24 hours that follow the injection, patients have found that use of over the counter pain and fever reducing medications can help with this common side effect."
You could also get on the Avonex website for further info.
good luck. hope that you feel better soon.
I am a female who three months ago had a hysterectomy due to HPV strains 16 and 18 causing low grade cervical cancer. My choice to have the hysterectomy rather than other treatment options for dysplagia. All margins clear. I'm well but may carry the hpv incessantly dormant as doctors really don't know. I have met someone and we'd like to start a serious relationship/marry. He has MS. Low level, takes Avonex, with no exacerbation or new lesions in three years since starting Avonex.
Just wondering how many Avonex users stuggle with depression. I usually get emotional a week before my period...but this time around it is going into 2 weeks. I don't want to start an antidepressant if its not necessary but I have been emotional, feel blah, and very tired. Maybe its just coming to terms with the diagnosis...Im not sure. I have been taking avonex for 9 weeks. If you are on an antidepressant what made you decide it was time to start it?
I would like to hear from MS patients regarding their experiences in dealing with the various manufacturing company call centers - Betaplus (Betaseron), Shared Solutions (Copaxone), Patient Services (Avonex & Tysabri), Others?. What do you like and don't like? What services are important to you vs. which are not? What are your pet peeves and how do you suggest we fix them? Thank you all!
Hi there,
I do understand your dilemma, in a nut shell your saying the side effects of the shots are your biggest issue due to you not [as yet] having another MS attack. I presume your MS dx was based on your sx at the time and backed up by the MRI fulfilling the time and space criteria, your MRI showing the MS attack had been multiple and not an isolated event.
I learned while reading that in a 5 year study nearly 90% of the Avonex patients were still active and able. That's a good number and I hope that both you and I are in that 90%. :)
I also learned that Avonex is the #1 prescribed MS therapy and has been for over 9 years. That sounded encouraging to me also.
Ok that's it for now. If I keep going on then you could have just read that dreadful binder, ha ha.
ve kicked around the CRABs here, a lot. Copaxone, Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron are the primary four. Your doctor didn't offer Tysabri as your fifth, did he?
I like the Decision Maker tool in the uk that walks you through the drugs and helps you figure what is important for you. You can access this at
http://www.msdecisions.org.uk
welcome to the world of drugs aand bills. I'm glad to hear you are getting treatment for your CIS. Congrats on that one.
I have used Avonex for years, and I consider it a “success” because my condition has not deteriorated and I haven’t had a relapse in years. But you will find Copaxone, Rebif, and Betaseron users that will tell you the same thing. On the other hand, others take those medications and still face significant disease progression and/or find the drug side effect intolerable.
Many users of newer oral drugs also find success, although those drugs have not yet stood the test of time.
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?!
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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