betaseron and depression

I hate getting in those ruts of depression. For me, it can last for months on end...and it takes forever to get back to ground level again. And I don't stay there long before I go back down. And it is not a pretty place to be...at all. So, tossing it out there...any info is appreciated.

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 been off of Betaseron for about 2 weeks now and my eyes are back to being very uncomfortable. Before I started Avonex eye pressure and pain was a huge problem. Now it is is starting again.

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.

Hi, there. I am surprised that your doctor is trying Rebif after you had a dpressive reaction to Avonex. This doesn't make sense to me. Yes, the Interferon-beta-1a and 1b meds are known for sometimes causing depression or making it worse. Major or untolerable depression is an indication for discontinuing the interferon medications. The problem is that the side effects of the interferons is typically "sode-dependent".

Hi there, We've not met yet, I'm Shelly, and I wanted to say hello. There are problems with depression and the interferons (Rebif/Avonex/Betaseron). The warnings are on the label, etc. I'm not on any meds, but sure have felt the effects on my mood. Fortunately, I come out of it for now. I think a good handful of folks are on them here - hopefully they'll pop by See you around!

re taking your Coumadin for the positive serology for a positive serology of aCL IgG/IgM and Reynauds and taking Betaseron for your MS (even prophylactically while waiting for a diagnosis) that it can cause a little anxiety. It's one medication counteracting another. I would be concerned too. Are you going to talk to your doctor about this?

Wow! Well, I'm glad I've quit the Betaseron. I quit because of depression, and some really scary ideations. I, too, have had DVT in my R leg. I never want to go through that again. Thank goodness I didn't get Pulmonary Embolism on top of it all....

at first it was just like spotting but now its aot like a period (as of today). I am on betaseron and I didn't know if it could mess with your period like tha or make your breasts sore.. (fatigue is a normal ms symptom tho so that doesn't concern me except its been worse lately). Plus.. I have been noticing that its harder for me 2 hold it when I have to pee and smetimes it leaks (which again could be ms related). I'm just worried and really can't do a test yet..

t take anti-depressents, but nowdays am so depresses and stressed because of my relapse/betaseron/thinking about the visa and scholarship, should i start taking them? and does it have to be prescribed by the doctor for me? What are the names of the best kinds of anti-depressents? > Could i talk to a doctor directly about MS here in this forum or in MedHelp like privetly or something like that?

I've been on Betaseron since a year after I was diagnosed in 2000. On August 20th, I quit taking Betaseron cold turkey when I finally received my new oral medication Tecfidera. For the last few days I have been dealing with horrible body aches, diarrhea, cold sweats & the inability to eat (not feeling sick, just not being hungry or interested in eating). I do not have a fever, a cough, allergies or anything else I can conclude to be at fault for these annoying symptoms.

____________________________________ If you are scatterbrained like me and have trouble taking your oral meds daily then you might want to go with less frequent dosing ____________________________________ If you have a strong history of major depression, you need to realize that the Interferons (Avonex, Rebif, Betaseron) can have severe depression as a side effect and this might be a good reason to avoid them.

I'm three weeks into Betaseron . . . and am pleased to hear all of the positive news.

d be getting your dr to sort out this problem for you. To me its part of his/her job to get you what you need and if Betaseron is what you need, he/she should hopefully know how to get it (back) for you. Cheers.........

The specialist at UCSF is switching me to Tysabri and has told me to go ahead and stop my Betaseron. It has now been 2 shots that I missed (well didn't take) and for the past 2 days I have been feeling like someone beat the crud outta me. My husband is insisting it is cuz I am not taking my shots. I don't see how that can be. We went to UCSF Monday night (4 hr drive), had my Dr appt Tues which took 4 hrs.

Betaseron carries the same side effects as any of the Interferons - and since it is the highest dose (per week) some say the sides effects are more likely. The Avonex injection is not that big and certainly not that painful. The little needle slides through like butter with a little sting with the push. I really didn't mind it. I am off of it first because of the cost and second because of the realization that it was making my depression (chronic anyway) worse.

ve been trying to figure out what to do about health insurance. My neurologist and I were discussing Betaseron and gawking at the out-of-pocket cost. Luckily he was nice enough to waive the fee for my next visit, but we haven't figured out a solution for the medication. He told me to come back when I got insurance so I could get a proper diagnosis and a prescription. Does Medicaid cover Betaseron?

hi ess- don't know what was wrong with me this morning, must have been to early -- of course i wanted to include you in my reply and also regarding the misleading formulation of my question-- thank you so much for your replies- will check out the health pages section about ms and depression.

Hi there, I'm glad they are keeping an eye on your liver enzymes since you are on betaseron. They should run a CBC and thyroid too every so often. Sometimes they don't run the thyroid panel though as a general rule and you may have to request it. Doesn't seem they ranges are extremely out of the average, but none the less it's good Dr. is keeping a watch - though they should have called you and not the other way around. Seems to be the norm these days for many, unfortunately.

Okay.....was diagnosed this past week. Was given RX for Provigil and will be starting Betaseron. Please tell me of your experiences with these meds. Thanks!

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).

Betaseron and depression

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