Rebif needle size
Common Questions and Answers about Rebif needle size
rebif
Ronnielynn,
You still with us? How you feeling? I was on the Rebif, which is an inteferon similiar to what you are starting.
Had all the common symptoms they warn of, which include flu-like, feverish, achey, etc. It did not last long for me. After a couple months, I adjusted to the meds like they said I would. I did have the silver dollar size injection site redness too. However, it wasn't so bad as the needle for Rebif is very thin.
I inject manually now too but used to use the autoinjector which is easy to use and you dont even see the needle. Rebif has a similar device. The needle is so small, I rarely even feel it breaking the skin, it is whats inside that takes a bit of getting used to. The Copaxone gave me a stinging - burning sensation for a while till my body adjusted to it, as well as site reactions, but I rarely get these anymore.
There are a few things always suggested to consider, and that is injection schedule, i.e, frequency, needle size. I did not consider this very well myself because I was too focused on choosing the right med. What I learned is all you can do is pick one best you can and give it a try. The main ones have proven equal affectiveness, but bear in mind what works for one, may not work for another. So, knowing this, you can always switch.
Avonex are essentially the same med, but Rebif is 3x week with a small needle into the fatty tissue; Avonex is weekly with a looong needle into muscle.
Beta is similar to Rebif (slightly different chemical composition), every-other-day injection; I think you have to mix up each shot -- but many are successful on Beta.
I'm thin, and neuro said the daily Copaxone shots would be a problem, likely cause tissue necrosis & site reactions for me.
t inject daily so Copaxone was out. Then the needle with Avonex was too big, nor was there an auto inject so Avonex was out. Rebif has an auto injector & it is only 3x's a week, which is the medium of the other two. So far no major side affects. Two weeks ago I thought I was having a reaction to the meds so I skipped two injection days. I resumed the injections on Wednesday & so far no reaction. I've been on Rebif since April and am still getting use to sticking myself.....
My doctor gave me the choice of Avenox and Rebif. I picked Rebif for the size of the needle. When it comes to needles I am a baby. The first month on Rebif my husband had to give me the shots but now I am able to do them myself. When I started I was having spacity in my legs and that has stayed the same or gotten better on some days. I do not think my spacity is getting any worse.
I don't have flu like symptoms from Rebif.
My question is how goos is rebif for treating MS.
Copaxone is the weakest and he did not recommend it for me. Betaseron, Rebif and Avonex are essentially the same drug, Intefereon beta, administered in different doses.
My Neuro is a big believer in Neutralizing antibodies.
Avonex NAB rate is around 5%
Rebif around 10-15%
Betaseron 25-30%
NABs can bind to the active side of the interferon molecule rendering it useless. So naturally (if you believe in NABs) you would likely pick the one with the lowest NABs.
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