avonex side effects depression

Have you talked to your doctor about the depression? I looked it up and it can be a side effect of Avonex. It's not something I would wait and see about. I've dealt with depression before so I understand how horrible it can be. I currently take an antidepressant and wouldn't want to live without it.

I have Multiple Sclerosis and use Avonex. My side effects do Not include Depression or Headaches. They include Fever-like symptoms, Muscle aches/pains, and Fatigue. All at a High level. I've come to realize in time, that the Only thing that helps Me is Medicine. Other Medicine that I take like : Hydrocodone, Alprazolam, and Imipramine. Without Overdosing of course, i've felt that these are all that helps.

This isn`t a sales pitch for Copaxone, lol, just some reassurance that if the injection and side effects of Avonex become too bothersome, you do have other options. It takes a while for any of these to start actually helping, hence why docs don`t like switching unless there is a real need to do so. I suggest you discuss your thoughts with your neuro; ultimately it is your body and your health, and hopefully s/he doesn`t insist you stay on a med you aren`t comfortable with.

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.

Avonex possible side effects are depression and flu-like symptoms--fever/shivers, body aches and pains, general crappiness. These are usually helped by aspirin, or similar products, particularly ibuprofen. I was on Avonex for a number of years. What you describe sounds to me much more like a relapse. I'm betting OTC products don't help. And although I do understand wanting a bit of a break from Avonex, not a good idea.

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.

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.

I still after all these years lose a day on the weekend due to the side effects of the Avonex and am hoping that will not be the result with Copaxone.

ve read, the thyroid and depression are contraindicaitons for using Avonex. I have extreme medication sensitivity, tend to have side effects easily. My mother died of chf. With all I've read about avonex, I truly feel it is a very poor choice for me.

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.

If you stay on the Avonex I would ask your doctor to check your liver function and other levels with a blood test every 3-6 months for the first year to make sure your body is handling it well. Are you having any side effects now from the Avonex, such as depression, flu-like symptoms, etc? I am on Avonex now and the website is helpful. Also, did you get an info packet when you started? I found that helpful, too. Why do your doctors think its MS? Have you seen an MS specialist?

I have been on Avonex for almost 6 months. Just when I thought the side effects were getting better I feel awful again. I inject on Friday night and feel flu like for at least 24 hours again. Thanks Quix for that tid bit. I am considering going off of it. I do seem very depressed like I just want to quit all of my meds my job my house chores etc. and throwing a big pity party for myself. The job is not an option cause we really need the $$$.

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

While I understnd the potential benefits of avonex, I am concerned that the side effects from avonex and once again facing everything will set him back again. He tends to get depressed at times so I am specifically concerned about that aspect. In addition, he works in a very high pressure job and I am concerned that this may leave him sidelined from work (in an environment that he does not want to open up to about the situation yet)....

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?

Avonex side effects depression

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