6 patient evaluations
for
Interferon beta-1b SubQ Injection
taken for the purpose of 'MS (Multiple Sclerosis)'
with a perceived effectiveness
rating of None
Purpose:MS (Multiple Sclerosis)(Started Dec 14, 2008)
Date
Dosage
Perceived effectiveness
Side Effects
Adherence
Burden
Jun 01, 2011
0.3 mg
every other day
None
Severe
Usually
Somewhat
May 12, 2011
0.3 mg
every other day
Slight
Moderate
Usually
Very
Oct 14, 2010
0.3 mg
every other day
?Can't tell
Mild
Always
Very
Side effects:
Suicidal thoughts or urges, Heat intolerance, Anxious mood
Date
Jun 01, 2011
Advice & Tips
It worked great the first 2 years, I was in a hot country so when I had 3 attacks during the 3rd year it was unclear and during year 4 it got so severe that everytime I took the shot I thought I was going to die and became so paranoid that I never left my house for over 10 days. I was very aggressive and very angry and felt like an alien creature had taken over my head.
Cost
$200+ monthly
Date
May 12, 2011
Advice & Tips
seems i've developed antibodies to the meds so i need to change them.
Cost
$200+ monthly
Date
Oct 14, 2010
Advice & Tips
I was having severe attacks that were back to back which lead to my diagnosis. The symptoms of the medication was intense at first. I would have different symptoms hit me every 4 days precisely, so one would finish and the other would start. After 2 years on the medication I find that I might have developed antibodies since I have had 3 attacks in the last year alone, I will be doing a blood test to check for it.
Purpose:MS (Multiple Sclerosis)(Started Jan 29, 2010)
Date
Dosage
Perceived effectiveness
Side Effects
Adherence
Burden
Nov 10, 2010
0.3 mg
Daily
None
None
Always
Somewhat
Sep 28, 2010
0.3 mg
Daily
?Can't tell
None
Always
A little
May 31, 2010
0.3 mg
Daily
?Can't tell
None
Always
A little
Mar 24, 2010
0.3 mg
Daily
?Can't tell
None
Always
Somewhat
Mar 09, 2010
0.3 mg
Daily
?Can't tell
Mild
Always
A little
Feb 20, 2010
0.3 mg
Daily
?Can't tell
Moderate
Always
A little
Feb 17, 2010
0.3 mg
Daily
?Can't tell
Moderate
Always
A little
Feb 11, 2010
0.3 mg
Daily
?Can't tell
Mild
Always
A little
Jan 30, 2010
0.3 mg
Daily
?Can't tell
None
Always
A little
Side effects:
Flu like symptoms, Injection site bruising, Injection site burning, Mild side effects, Injection site irritation
Date
Nov 10, 2010
Advice & Tips
For some this treatment works as for me it didn't.
I would like to THANK All those at NOVARTISE for their help and followup care.
After careful thought and prayer and numerous office visits with different Hospitals.
I will be Starting Novantrone in February 2011
This gives me the best option of continuum of care without closing the door on other options. so we will try this first then Cytotoxen
and Tysabri last instead of first.
Cost
< $25 monthly
Date
Sep 28, 2010
Advice & Tips
I started Extavia in January 2010 and this is what I recommend Taking Aleve 4 hours prior to injection time then Tylenol 1 hour prior to injection.
I had an MRI done in June there were two lesions more. Then I had another MRI done in September. I´m waiting on the results and will be going for a follow up visit in October to discuss the results and to see if the Extavia is producing the results expected. If not there will be a jump to IV Therapy.
Cost
< $25 monthly
Date
May 31, 2010
Advice & Tips
I feel as though this medication is working
I am no longer taking any pre meds before injection time.
Cost
< $25 monthly
Date
Mar 24, 2010
Advice & Tips
The side effects have diminished, I have experienced very little during effects.
For this I´m grateful. Although, I continue to take one Tylenol 500 mg. 1 hour prior to injection.
This a downgrade of medication prior to injection from 2 Tylenol 500 mg 4 hours prior and
2 Aleve 1 hour prior . To be at this point took over a month.
Cost
< $25 monthly
Date
Mar 09, 2010
Advice & Tips
My side effects are calming down with my arm and leg injections and the bruising with my abdomen injection site are calming down as well.
Cost
< $25 monthly
Date
Feb 20, 2010
Advice & Tips
Injection site bruising
Cost
< $25 monthly
Date
Feb 17, 2010
Advice & Tips
Feb. 16 2010
Placed injection for the first time in Abdomen on right side Middle location:
This was the first time that I have had a reaction such as this since beginning treatment with Extavis.
My reaction was one hour after injection time of 8:30 P.M on 02/16/2010
1) Light Nausea
2) Difficulty sleeping was awake most of the night
3) Acid Reflux
4) Increase in headache discomfort
This reaction lasted almost 20 hrs.
Cost
< $25 monthly
Date
Feb 11, 2010
Advice & Tips
I have used Extavia seven times so far. I have not used the abdomen location for injections.
I have used my left arm for the second time this is the only time that I felt a slight burn as the Extavia was going into my arm. I do follow a strict protocol before injection time 8:30 pm
4 hrs prior I take two Aleve then 1 hour prior to injection I take two 500 mg. Tylenol and bed by 10:00 pm this seems to have reduced any adverse reactions that others have had with Betaseron or Extavia.
Cost
< $25 monthly
Date
Jan 30, 2010
Advice & Tips
Extavia, is exactly the same as Betaseron there is no difference in the product except the price Betaseron $ 2,500.00 and Extavia $ 3,600.00 a month. They, Novartis, is under contract with Bayer. Novartis, has a PAP program where based on your income it can be no charge for the product the first year or there is a reduction in price based on your income.
Here is their number: 866-925-2333 Monday through Friday 8am - 8pm EST
What we have noticed is that the support team at Novartis ( Extavia ) is absolutely wonderful.
If you ever have a question, any question call them, they will answer that question quickly or put you to the person that is handling that issue for you.
Novartis has a program called: Extavia, Your Guide to Beginning Therapy
We have watched the DVD several times even before receiving the Extavia.
this very informative and carefully designed to answer questions you may have.
I recommend watching the DVD again even when your doing this by yourself until your
comfortable with the process of setting up the injection and the Auto injector.
They were in touch with my Neurologist quickly and my supplies were sent before I knew it was coming.
Next day FED EX. I received two packages separately one was the Auto Injector which your doctor has to prescribe, and then the vials that COME IN A BOX 15 VIALS. Injections are every other day. After receiving each box, Novartis, called to verify I received the package, within 10 minutes of each delivery.
In addition, Novartis setś up a Nurse to come to your house to help you get started with the program and trains you in the use of injection therapy.
Based on advice from other users of this product the following was recommended:
Before using this product, this is what I did I set my Injection time for 8:30 PM
Prior to this time I did this:
1) I took 2 tablets of Aleve to alleviate the side effectś. 4 hours ahead of
injection time.
2) 1/2 hour prior to injection two Tylenol 500 mg each.
About an 1 1/2 hours later I was in bed sleeping
* This is with regards to the Auto Injector, USE IT !!!! the needle is very tiny 27 gauge needle. and looking at the whole shot it appears large and maybe, I don't want to do this.
With the Auto Injector all your looking at is the plastic case and push the button count to 10 and it´s over. THIS IS SO EASY !!! I used this last night for the first time with no problem.
AND EASED MY APPREHENSION ALOT...
Side effects: Injection site is alittle tender to touch nothing severe.
If anyone has a question JUST ASK please Iĺl respond
Thank you
Brian
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