Jul 6, 2010 (Started Jun 27, 2010)

Effectiveness

Can't tell (for multiple sclerosis)
Side effects

Severe (for Overall) (nausea, fever/chills, headaches, whole body ache, extreme flu like malaise)
Adherence

Always
Burden

Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly

Advice & Tips: When they say "may cause flu-like symptoms...don't take that lightly. I know it's a catch as catch can but dangit, I was no where NEAR prepared for what it did/is doing to me. If your anything like me and your sypmtoms last more than as they say the 1st 12-24 hour persiod...don't wait get on the phone, call the avonex nurse and get hold of your doctor let him/her know the seriousness of symptoms, be as detailed but as brief as you can keep a thermometer handy keep ice pacsk handy keep extra blankets handy and Layer your clothing, if you can have someone keep an eye on you the first few times you do your shots this is not just the night it's done(yes do it at bedtime) but also into the next couple days at least... yeah this is worse case scenerio and maybe your situation may totally different but better to be prepared for the worst and get the best outcome than not be prepared at all,soday crackers and jinger asle might be your best friends do the the nausa and cool rags for the headaches. I am now on day 4 of my 2ond injection and I still feel like I been kicked by a mule. Please don't panic of all that I have said but just be aware there are a small % of us who get hit and get hit hard. So just a small word of preparedness and caution.

Side effects: headaches, whole body ache, nausea, fever/chills, extreme flu like malaise

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Jun 1, 1999 (Started Jun 01, 1996)

Effectiveness

Slight (for multiple sclerosis)
Side effects

Moderate (for Overall) (flu like symptoms)
Adherence

Always
Burden

A little hard to take

Dosage: 30 mcg Weekly

Advice & Tips: Flu-like symptoms from immediately after injection (worse on those times when I hit a vein on the way into the muscle), and driving me to acetaminophen until five days later, when I would get two days feeling normal before the next injection.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: flu like symptoms

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Jun 25, 2010 (Started Jan 21, 1990)

Effectiveness

Major (for multiple sclerosis)
Side effects

Moderate (for Overall) (fever/chills, whole body ache, flu like symptoms, muscle aches)
Adherence

Always
Burden

Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly

Advice & Tips: I have been taking Avonex since the original trials. I really believe that it has helped my MS from progressing as quickly as it would have otherwise. When I began treatment I was experiencing 2+ exacerbations per month...and since I started using Avonex, my exacerbations have been 1 (or less) per YEAR! (and that is since about 1991)

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: flu like symptoms, fever/chills, whole body ache, muscle aches

Jan 12, 2009 (Started Jan 21, 1990)

Effectiveness

Major (for multiple sclerosis)
Side effects

Mild (for Overall) (fever/chills, whole body ache, flu like symptoms, muscle aches)
Adherence

Always
Burden

A little hard to take

Dosage: 30 mcg/0.5 mL Weekly

Advice & Tips: I have been using Avonex since the original Trials...many years ago (around 1990), and have never missed a dose! I really believe it has had a LOT to do with my MS not progressing as quickly. The shots are really no big deal. And, now you can use a shorter needle! yea! After all these years, my biggest problem is trying to find new spots to inject! (Don't want to damage tissue)_

Side effects: flu like symptoms, fever/chills, whole body ache, muscle aches

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Jun 16, 2010 (Started Jun 10, 2007)

Effectiveness

Slight (for multiple sclerosis)
Side effects

Severe (for Overall) (flu like symptoms)
Adherence

Always
Burden

Somewhat hard to take

Dosage: 30 mcg Weekly

Advice & Tips: i selfinjedted it after training with ms nurse unexpected benefits negativ cause i developed antibodies in the first 6 to 12 months the sideeffects were awfull, i basically had all the sideeffects you can get i took a shot every wednesday and on thursdays i was always even more tired than usual

Side effects: flu like symptoms

0 helpful marks

Jun 16, 2010 (Started May 12, 1995)

Effectiveness

Moderate (for multiple sclerosis)
Side effects

Severe (for Overall) (fever/chills, headaches, fever, joint pain, lethargy, whole body ache, injection site scar, flu like symptoms, migraine headaches, muscle aches)
Adherence

Always
Burden

Somewhat hard to take

Dosage: 30 mcg Daily

Advice & Tips: take as perscibed,make cause flu like systemns.

Cost: < $25 monthly