rebif and weight loss

I'm on Rebif, which is very similar to Betaseron. I hate to tell you, but after a couple of months on Rebif I lost over half my hair -- even bought a wig. After a year or so, the hair loss slowed, but even now, 3 years later, it's not nearly the same as pre-Rebif (of course, I'm 62 yrs old & would likely be experiencing thinning hair anyway). But I never actually wore the wig.

I started using rebif in May and it is now Aug. and in the last 3 weeks my stomach has become so large and no weight gain any place else.

We did ask about the pill but it had just been released here in South-Africa and we were told it is only a third line defence medication and they do not want to put her on that and said rebif will suit her best for now. The weight is making her feel depressed and she is in tears most of the time.

Why would it suddenly cause malar rash, joint pain and swelling, extreme hair loss, anemia and chronic diarrhea, just to name a few. Has anyone heard of rebif causing lupus symptoms? I am still waiting for blood results from that appt. They took 8 large tubes of blood, so hopefully I will get those results soon. I'm just tired of feeling like crap and not being able to eat because everytime I eat solid food it goes right thru me.

Yes, this is my reality. I have lost 50 pounds in the last year and I started losing before I went on meds (Rebif). The weight loss isn't a big problem in and of itself (yet), but I would give just about anything to be able to enjoy food again. My theory of the cause of this loss of appetite is a loss of some sensation in the tongue. Fingers are numb, toes are numb, tongue is numb, too.

thyroid issues can cause hair loss -- and Rebif can affect thyroid function. So get your TSH, free T3 & T4 bloodwork done -- every few months while on Rebif. I take Zinc & biotin (as well as vit D & fish oil) to help with hair loss.

I got my welcome package and rebif today. Now they want me to wait for a nurse to come out and teach me how to poke myself? Is it really that hard, I have watched the dvd and read all my info?? Should I wait until atleast Monday to start?? It stated that Monday, Wednesday and Friday's were good days to take it?? That way I would not have to take a shot on the weekends... One more question, I have not been on a steroid? I'm still have severe sensory loss from my waist down?

They were high, so at that point my neuro instructed me to go off all meds and supplements, and no alcohol, stayed on Rebif and they remained high when test was repeated. Went off Rebif, stayed off other meds and alcohol, they returned to normal, and remained so after I started other meds again and consumed alcohol again. This is how we could be certain it was Rebif causing the prolem.

5t The ventricles and cortical sulci are enlarged from mild global volume loss. Multiple punctate hyperintensities are evident throughout the deep white matter bilaterally, predominately subcortical. no abnormal enhancement corresponding to these foci. There are several periatrial foci bilaterally which are increased in number since the previous examination, however this may partially be due to the high-resolution on the current exam, on high field magnet.

Well now, I don't know the answer. Have been on Avonex for several years and my hair is as thick as ever, which is pretty thick. I didn't even know that hair loss can occur with Avonex. I've never had IVSM, but I Googled intravenous solumedrol hair loss and got a lot of matches. I'm not sure how reliable any of them are, so take a look but reserve judgment. Anyone else out there with hair loss on any of the interferons? Or solumedrol?

Hi beeama! I don't know what the instances of anemia and interferons are, but if you've not taken any supplements, and then go off the rebif for a week or two, then re-run the labs and they check out good you very well could be affected. It is the docs responsibility to order the labs, but have found too I have to remember to ask for the script for labs. Since it was 6 months ago - they should be run again for good measure.

It is impossible for me, or anyone, to tell whether or not you would have had your attack had rebif been started earlier. Rebif, and other injectable MS medications (the interferons), reduce risk of relapse significantly, but not by 100%, meaning that even if someone is on a medication, they could still have a relapse, but their relapse risk is just less on the interferons.

I've only been on Rebif a short time and as yet, have had no problems like what you describe. How long have you been on Rebif?

Hi, I was so happy to read the news but, I'm currently on Rebif, so I don't see a reason to switch, only thing is no injecting..... And rebif does not have the hair loss, and fatal liver damage warning ....

Hi there, Sorry for your diagnosis. The side affects mentioned in the literature can and do happen. I'm a Rebif user for 3 years now and do very well. My site reactions are just a warm (to touch) pink about the size of a silver dollar. I inject straight up without the autoinjector but I many people use the auto and it works very well for them. Like all meds it's important to weigh out the benefits and risks.

Let us know how you make out and what if anything you think Rebif may have to do with this. I start Rebif next week and am keeping fingers crossed that it doesn't disagree with me. Another thought --- have you tried calling the Rebif patient support program to tell them about the hives? Perhaps they have heard from other patients with the same problem? Good luck to you.

t wait to have one for real (must wait a while to find out if Rebif agrees with my liver) but for now, the make-believe kind will do. Is it as sunny and warm in Edmonton today as it is here 'up north'?

I have been on rebif 44 for 9 weeks. Two weeks ago I started biting my lip. I noticed that my jaw is jerking which makes me bite my lip. Also started biting tongue. It is like my tongue does not know where it is. Does anyone else have this problem. I am taking the rebif for ms.

Is there anyone on here who is or has breastfed while taking interferons. I was diagnosed with ms last week and my dr. has prescribed Rebif. If the diagnoses wasn't bad enough, I found out that I will no longer be able to breastfeed my son due to the medicine. Through online research it looks like the interferon molecule is too big to get into the milk and would be destroyed in his digestive track anyway. It also looks like interferons are naturally occuring in the milk.

Hey Jules, My experience is only with Rebif. I had the common flu-like symptoms, but after a couple of months that improved. I developed an allergic reaction to "something." Could be the Rebif, or could of been the xanax and temazapam (one for anxiety, and one to sleep at night). For over 4 months now, I am not on any of those and am only on Baclofen for spasms. I am going to challenge the Rebif, as I believe in what the studies say about it prolonging disability.

Same here i live in Albania and there is few information and ms specialist.. Can you please tell me how your friend did after quitting???

It wasnt until after I went to the Mayo Clinic and that dr told me I should not take Copaxon any longer and start Rebif. I had had 3 more attacks after the initial dz, and it was a year after that I went to the Mayo Clinic-thanks to my mothers urging,she got me the appointment, and even lined up my aunt and uncle to drive so hubby could be home with the children. But it was the best thing that I could of done.

When he heard about this he was adamant that the Interferons were off my possible list of meds. He would not re-prescribe Avonex and said that Rebif and Betaseron would likely (not definitely) be worse. As a physician, myself, this makes sense. When a person has a problem that is associated with a class of medications, they can be possibly have that problem with all members of that class.

Rebif and weight loss

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