avonex side effects

Hi Jason, Avonex was not an option for me from my neuro so I went with copaxone, a daily injection of a totally different type drug with no side effects. I passed on the Rebif because it has the same side effects as avonex, but is injected three times a week. If avonex, with its once a week injection had been an option I would have seriously considered it instead of the copax.

Worth nothing is that the flu-like side effects of Avonex often are less troubling after the first few weeks or months, but I've never seen anyone suggest that the mood-related side effects dissipate.

Does anyone know of long-term side-effects of Avonex? I've had about 8 or 9 injections so far - was diagnosed a few mos. ago. I will see the (MS) dr. in 2 days, a 3 month follow-up visit. Does anyone know of any questions I should ask her? Thank you very much! I appreciate any feedback.

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.

This is NOT the way side effects are from Avonex. If you took your shot on Monday and some of the symptoms you describe on Wednesday, it would not be from the Avonex. Avonex side effects, if they are going to occur, start not long after the shot and linger STRAIGHT THROUGH, until they end. Some people have little to no side effects. When I took Avonex for over 3 years, my flu like side effects, didn't let up until around the 3rd day after my shot.

the only reason being is its just 1 shot a week...i figure that the side effects from all are realativly the same....

Hi, Isabel. I've been on Avonex since June '08. Unlike many others here, I haven't had a let-up of the flu-like side effects. That's the bad news. The good news is that I've found how to manage them well. I do the injection at bed time, then take one Aleve and an Ambien. Once in a while I wake up with muted flu symptoms, and then I take another Aleve, and that does the trick. By morning the whole thing is over for me.

Hi - I am starting on Avonex next week and of course am concerned about side effects but like the once a week part of the treatment. Those that are on Avonex how do you handle the side effects any tips you can give me?

I haven't heard about Avonex causing those side effects long term. It may be worth it to have your blood glucose checked. Having diabetes can cause this delay in healing. As always, your doctor knows best.

After being on Avonex for 1 1/2 years I have developed new side effects?? Red eyes with severe pain (in my eyes & behind my eyes) It started several months ago and now happens with each weekly injection. Has anyone here had to discontinue Avonex due to side effects?

re having a discussion on the MS forum about whether one can skip a dose of Avonex to avoid the major side effects during the holiday festivities. Some who take Avonex feel quite sick for a day or two. I'm lucky not to, but still this is a good question. Perhaps you could answer in terms of all 4 DMDs. Thank you.

I was on Avonex for several years. No digestive problems but many flu-like symptoms, worse sometimes than others. I learned from experience that these effects would start 2 or 3 hours after my shot, so I did it at night before bed, after which I took 2 Aleve, since these are long-lasting. The net result was that I'd sleep through whatever the Avonex side effects might be, buffered by Aleve.

I started avonex in December. The side effects weren't nearly as bad as the mail order pharmacy made it sound. I must of gotten lucky :) After being on avonex for a few months the little flu like symptoms I did have went away. I was able to tell that sleep the night that you give the shop is VERY important! I also recommend lots of water if you don't already drink a lot.

Sorry to hear you're still experiencing some side effects from the Avonex. Hopefully, with the additional reduction in dosage you'll feel better soon. Like you, I am relatively new to Avonex (started Dec. 07) and am still experiencing new symptoms. I suppose its hard to know if its working or not since the symptoms could be worse. Granted, I'm starting to have difficulty walking which is surprising to me since I was just diagnosed in November.

If you would forget to take pills, for example, you need to be on an injectible. Consider the common side effects and which ones you can most readily live with. You may not even suffer the side effects, but you need to be prepared for them. I’m sorry you hadn’t had a response for 20 hours … ask questions anytime!

Curious how the Avonex has worked out for you. Have your side effects gotten any better? I finally saw an MS specialist for 2nd opinion and he recommends I start Avonex but I am hesitant. My neuro said MS YES, the specialist says MS MAYBE, CIS YES. I have had my head stuck in the sand for 2 months now. Time to wake up and smell the coffee (er, Avonex?). But am scared to commit to the drugs because of the potential side effects.

I am confident that the head cold and congestion have nothing to do with the Avonex. Additionally, even at their worst, side effects have never stuck with me through the week. Because side effects for me were at their worst in the first few injections (titration was not offered to me in 2004), and that's generally what I've understood from others' experiences, it is reassuring to hear that you’re making it through these early injections OK.

I have no complaints so far so good. When I go on the full dose I hope my side effects are mild...

Pre-medicating before your injection was helpful to me and I always took it at night, to try and sleep through most side-effects. For others, like myself, the side-effects did not go away or even lessen over time and after three years, I finally gave up on the drug. I understand that is fairly rare. But I can tell you, that Avonex worked wonders for keeping me stable and free of relapses, even for a few years after stopping the drug. My MRI's didn't worsen for almost 5 years.

True, the worst effects may come before sleep time, but any side effects are more likely out of the way by work time at 6 a.m. Sunday. And by being awake, you can maintain the dosing of acetaminophen or whatever drug at two every however many hours, and you can keep drinking lots of water. To Aroma_1, the official documentation says that you have to have injections 48 hours apart. I would recommend doing whatever you can to maintain a consistent schedule, especially early in treatment.

Avonex side effects

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