User Reviews for Avonex Administration Pack intramuscular

Flu like symptoms

I have reviewed Avonex before, after three injections - See March 2009 post. Flu-like symptoms are lessening. I drink about 100oz of water the day of my shot and take Ibuprofen every four hours starting about an hour before the injection. The injection is still hard for me to do but it does not take me near as long to work up the nerve to do it. Icing the injection site did not help me. It is harder and more painful to do it in my left leg, possibly because I am right-handed and having to reach across my body. My MS symptoms have decreased: vision improved, nerve pain decreased, headaches and vertigo not as prevalent. I have a one-year check-up next March with an MRI and will update everyone on the progression (or hopefully lack of progression) of the disease. Good luck to you all in your journey with MS. Stay strong. Find a support system.Read More Read Less

After about a year and a half the fever that hit me about two hours after the chills stopped, went away. After three years the chills stopped. Last night I tried the shot without the ibuprofen and antihistamine and it was a bad night with chills so the pills are necessary and helpful even if you think the flu symptoms are past.

I have been taking Avonex since 1999. The 1st year was very difficult; I was sick for the entire day after I took the injection. My new approach is I start taking ES Tylenol mid-day on Sundays, every 4 hours until 10pm, then take the injection b4 bed. I wake up without the flu-like symptoms. Some weeks I do have a headache most of Monday. I was diagnosed in 1986 and I am greatful for Avonex. Life before this medication was not so great.

Just started Avoex 5 weeks ago but have known about the MS for about 15yrs just didn't want to admit it was happening to me. Take 3 Advil and hour before shot with lots of water but still wake up Saturday mornings not feeling the best until I take more Advil and just put it out of my head. Have sinus issues all the time now and not sure if it is just spring weather or the Avonex? On ocation I will take a Hydrocodone to help me sleep the night of the shot otherwise sleeping is an issue.

I have been taking Avonex for over 2 years now.I still have the "day after" flu sometimes, but it isnt that bad.I use the smaller needle (25G) and it makes a difference, of course, its smaller LOL and I take Advil Liqui-gels an hour before shot time, which is at night during Leno and drink lots of water, tea, juice the day of shot and next day too, and the Advil every 4 hours and it helps me very much, the side effects were worse when I started and sometimes I still have the fever, headache next day but its manageable! I still think this is the best medicine out there for MS I have not had any attacks other then my first one when I was diagnosed. I do a monthly IV of steroids also for the last year. I know the side effects are hard at first but try to stick(no pun) it out! Good luck and try to keep a positive tude! Read More Read Less

I'm recently diagnosed with MS & having my 2nd relapse (1st one 4 yrs ago was undiagnosed). I'm now 8 weeks on Avonex. I take my shots on Thurs evening. I prep at work by drinking 6-8 glasses of water & 500mg Ibuprofen both 2 hrs before & after the shot. Mild flu-like symptoms except for 2 wks ago when I had also had 3 days of IV steroids for vision problems. Giving the shot is easier than I had thought. Overall symptoms for this relapse just now seem to be getting better so I'm hopeful. I'm glad Avonex is available for us!Read More Read Less

When I first started injecting, I would put an ice pack on my thigh to numb it and then sit there for hours crying before injecting because it hurt so much until a pharmacist (Phil) told me about Lidocane/Prilocane Cream (prescription needed). I put the cream on my leg where I am going to inject. After an hour I then injected virtually pain free. I then take a hot shower and 4 Alleve before going to bed and I feel fine the next day. Hope this helps someone else.

I have been on Avonex since 1999, with a 2 1/2 year break to have children. Flu symptoms sometimes worse than others, but ibuprofen works wonders!

Avonex is a very good treatment fo my MS (they say). But the side affects are a nightmare...chills,sweats,numbness in my wraist, just complete misery. I feel better when I don't take it.

Since I start taking AVONEX I have remained pretty stable. My regret was that I did not take it sooner in my life. It has been many years since I started it , and I was already using a wheelchair and a walker However I take liquid gell Advil for the side problems like chills etc. I take the shot in the early AM and by early evening I get the chills etc.by 8 I am in bed watch vsome TV a full asleep by 10:30 or so. I take one advil every six hours the first about 1 hour b/4.I start my injection on Tuesday and By friday I am doing great NOT WALKING BUT i FEEL IT DOES WORK TO HELP SLOW DOWN MY ms Read More Read Less

took 1 year for the flu like side affects to dissapear but am getting really tired of having to inject myself

I was diagnosed 1978, have been on avonex since 2001. Horrific headache the next day following injection. Side effects eased up after a few months. I cannot inject myself,so my husband does it for me. I still have headaches, but not as severe. Drink lots and lots of water hours before injection helps. Also injecting in larger muscle helps. Don't really know if it helps, but it is not worth the gamble to stop. I am doing well, still working, and am very active. My God keeps me going!

Had a reaction that essentially caused temporary paralysis. About 1/2 the time no reaction, about 1/2 resulted in problems with balance and walking.

I was just diagnosed with MS last month after 4 Drs and 2 MRIs. I have mild symptoms: mostly fatigue, vertigo and vision problems. I have had 3 doses of Avonex and feel bad for most of the week, especially the two days after the injection. My worst problem is the aches and pains and being cranky. I take 800mg Ibuprofen everyday for an unrelated problem. It seems to help with the headache but not the other side effects. Yesterday my vision worsened suddenly and my doctor thinks I am having another attack. Maybe I have not been on Avonex long enough for it to be effective. I hate needles and am having a hard time giving myself the injection. Despite all of this, I am willing to give Avonex time to work before making my final judgement. My doctor was very pleased that I decided to start Avonex therapy so he must know that it works for at least some of his patients.Read More Read Less

I have been using Avonex for 7 weeks. The side effects are brutal. I take extra strength tylenol aprox 1 hr before shot along with Neurotin and Baclofen. I awaken at 2-3 am, in horrible muscle and joint pain, fever of usually 102, chills. I repeat meds, in aprox an hour, I am comfortable enough to fall back asleep. Next day, sleepy, tired, hurty all over, stay in bed,take meds.This continues for a full 48 hours, then begins to decrease. Entire episiode is about 3 days. Waiting , hoping for the time this part eases up a little :)Read More Read Less