Purpose:MS (Multiple Sclerosis)(Started Feb 01, 2007)
Date
Dosage
Efficacy
Side Effects
Adherence
Burden
Jan 22, 2012
30 mcg/0.5 mL
Weekly
?Can't tell
Moderate
Always
Very
Dec 07, 2011
30 mcg/0.5 mL
Weekly
?Can't tell
Moderate
Always
Somewhat
Oct 19, 2010
30 mcg/0.5 mL
Weekly
?Can't tell
Moderate
Always
A little
Feb 01, 2007
30 mcg/0.5 mL
Weekly
Slight
Moderate
Always
Somewhat
Side effects:
Flu like symptoms, Injection site bruising, Injection site knots, Injection site reaction
Date
Jan 22, 2012
Advice & Tips
I had two allergic reaction to Avonex and a serious side effect which is swelling of ankles and feet. My body temperature continues to drop even with 5 hours space in time with pre-medication. The other side effects came to the point I couldn't even sleep through them. I am not sure how to answer the questions on here. I stop the drug on 01/22/2012. It seems like you are asking what are my experience after that date. I will answer as before that date.
Cost:
< $25 monthly
Date
Dec 07, 2011
Advice & Tips
I do not see this medication as effective. Each year I am losing ground. I don't experience any relapses or remission. I just have good days and bad days. I stay on the drug hoping that something will change. I do not like the side effects of flu and chills and burning skin for the past five years. I thought they would lessen. Now they go into a second day. However, each person is different with different reactions positive or negative to medication. Pre-medicate is important. However for me is causing body temperature to drop too low. I start pre-medicating 3 hours ahead to keep this from happening.
Cost:
< $25 monthly
Date
Oct 19, 2010
Advice & Tips
My case is more complicated than RRMS as already total disability in 1993 from ME/CFS/fiboi/TMJ. They symptoms cross over and I am highly sensitive to chemicals and have allergies to most everything. My body did not adjust within the time frame Avonex said. It was twice as long. I still have flu symptoms going into my 5 year soon. It is now carrying over into a second day. I can't use my arms as they knotted and running out of room on legs as I can't use top of legs as they bruised and knotted. I've not experience what you call any relapses. I have seen me go from being able to walk in to store and get a few groceries but being very fatigued to now having to use scooter and most of the time can't do that. This I know is not typical for those with RRMS. Those I know are still working and managing around their symptoms and relapses. If you see improvement continue with your treatment and of course listen to neurologist/MS specialist but to be your own advocate.
Cost:
< $25 monthly
Date
Feb 01, 2007
Advice & Tips
This treatment is once a week which is good. I can not self inject. The side effects were bad at first, like 103 temp and chills with burning skin. My body took longer than normal to adjust but now mild effects but sometimes I get surprised by harsher effects. I am sensitive to medication on skin and get rashes and got knots from injections. I don't use arms. Most people don't have much problems. It is different for everyone. My son gives my injection on Monday around 6pm. I learn to pre-medicate and take more when started to get cold before fever hits. My advice if you neurologist prescribes this, try it and see how it goes. I don't have to pay for my Avonex. I get financial assistance. I had Medicare plans with no co-pays.
Be prepared to be sick for 48 hrs after taking Avonex. The flu like symptoms are severe or at least they r for me. I run 103 ton104 temp and the shakes r bad.
Purpose:MS (Multiple Sclerosis)(Started Aug 16, 2007)
Date
Dosage
Efficacy
Side Effects
Adherence
Burden
Nov 12, 2011
22 mcg/0.5 mL
Weekly
Slight
Moderate
Usually
Very
Date
Nov 12, 2011
Advice & Tips
Since I have started Avonex the lesions have multiplied and my MS has progressed. I am hoping changing my medication will slow the progression down because I am in too much pain. Neck and back spasms are the worst for me since being on Avonex.
Dizziness, Stabbing headaches, Flu like symptoms, Generalized muscle aches, Chills/fever, Nausea, Joint pain, Shivering, Tiredness, Spasms, Body Aches
Date
May 30, 2011
Advice & Tips
Side effects need to be addressed. Doctors don't help, Biogen Idec didn't help. Unbearable, just cannot do it anymore.
Cost:
< $25 monthly
Date
Apr 26, 2011
Advice & Tips
I will not be taking this much longer. I can't believe all the days of being miserably ill I have given to this medication. The makers of the drug are making bundles of money off this but they cannot offer me any means of coping with the HORRIBLE side effects.
Cost:
$50-99 monthly
Date
Oct 25, 2010
Advice & Tips
Continue to have horrible side effects and NO pain medications work effectively. Have come close to overdosing to deal with the side effects which last for over 24 hours. Thinking about quiting.
Cost:
$50-99 monthly
Date
Apr 28, 2009
Advice & Tips
The side effects may NEVER lessen and ibuprophen may not ever be enough. If you have these problems the medical professionals will probably do nothing to assist you in dealing with them. The drug companies will never disclose how common this problem is because that is not a selling point. If you have severe side effects DON'T try sleeping through them - it won't happen, take the injection in the morning so you can deal with it while you are awake and not lose sleep. Plan on feeling like crap for two days a week but it's better than Rebif where you feel like crap all week. I don't understand why they can prescribe something with such horrible side effects but not prescribe something to deal with the side effects?
Purpose:MS (Multiple Sclerosis)(Started May 12, 1998)
Date
Dosage
Efficacy
Side Effects
Adherence
Burden
May 20, 2011
30 mcg/0.5 mL
Every Other Week
?Can't tell
Severe
Usually
Very
Aug 01, 2010
30 mcg/0.5 mL
Every Other Week
?Can't tell
Severe
Usually
Very
Dec 11, 2009
30 mcg/0.5 mL
Every Other Week
?Can't tell
Severe
Usually
Very
Side effects:
Body Aches, Chills/fever, Stabbing headaches, Tiredness
Date
Aug 01, 2010
Advice & Tips
I manage taking ykis treatment only with the help of my husband. I think he likes to stick me with the needle.
No unexpected benefits. I'm unable to determine any benefits.
Impact on my life is that I am a vegetable with migraines for 2-3 days following the injection. Because of this, I take it on the weekends to minimize impact on work days. In order to enjoy some of my weekends, I decided, on my own, to take every other week instead of weekly. CVSCaremark doesn't like that decision (non compliance)
Cost:
< $25 monthly
Date
Dec 11, 2009
Advice & Tips
weekly shot has become every other week because it now takes 2+ days to get strength back
The side effects were horrible. The body aches I got were much more severe then any actual "flu" I have ever experienced in my life. This lasted from 12 to 20 hrs followed by a headache I would describe as a "vise grip" tightening on my head...
Purpose:MS (Multiple Sclerosis)(Started Feb 07, 2011)
Date
Dosage
Efficacy
Side Effects
Adherence
Burden
Apr 12, 2011
30 mcg
Weekly
?Can't tell
Mild
Always
A little
Side effects:
Flu like symptoms
Date
Apr 12, 2011
Advice & Tips
Side effects are different for everyone but I find if I take Advil about 30 minutes before my injection, I'm less likely to have bad flu-like symptoms.
Moderate
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