Reviewer: Thumper, 35-44 Female on Treatment for 10 years or more (Patient)

Comment:
My MS has been very stable while on Avonex and no exacerbations requiring treatment in several years now. Still have flu-like symptoms the day after and generally feel yucky the day after whether I take OTC pain reliever or not. Muscle atrophy in both thighs from now what would be over a total of 500 injections. All worth the opportunity to live a "normal" life and be there for my kid ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
My MS has been very stable while on Avonex and no exacerbations requiring treatment in several years now. Still have flu-like symptoms the day after and generally feel yucky the day after whether I take OTC pain reliever or not. Muscle atrophy in both thighs from now what would be over a total of 500 injections. All worth the opportunity to live a "normal" life and be there for my kids. Blessed by a wonderful husband who gives me my injections since I'm afraid to do it myself now.
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Reviewer: bruiser, 45-54 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

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Reviewer: rgacpa, 45-54 Male on Treatment for 1 to less than 2 years (Patient)

Comment:
One-year update. I started Avonex March 2009. I think I now have the drill down. My shot day is Thursday. I start at noon drinking about 6 or 8 glasses of water to hydrate. I take 2 Alleve (better for me than Tylenol or Advil) 2 hours prior to injection & then another 1 Alleve right before going to bed. Flu symptoms are now almost non-existent - at most a little "blah" feeling ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
One-year update. I started Avonex March 2009. I think I now have the drill down. My shot day is Thursday. I start at noon drinking about 6 or 8 glasses of water to hydrate. I take 2 Alleve (better for me than Tylenol or Advil) 2 hours prior to injection & then another 1 Alleve right before going to bed. Flu symptoms are now almost non-existent - at most a little "blah" feeling on Friday morning. No relapses since I've been on Avonex & my 1-yr followup MRI showed no worsening of the MS.
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Reviewer: Ladybug, 55-64 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Patient)

Comment:
I have been using Avonex 2 1/2 years with no exacerbations that required hospitalization in that time. Tylenol at noon on Friday, and then about 5:00 when I take the shot, and at 11:00 or so at bedtime. Take it again on Saturday morning. Flu-like symptoms are much milder now--I still get a little achy late on Saturday, but I can live with it. When I receive my meds, I mark each dosage package ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I have been using Avonex 2 1/2 years with no exacerbations that required hospitalization in that time. Tylenol at noon on Friday, and then about 5:00 when I take the shot, and at 11:00 or so at bedtime. Take it again on Saturday morning. Flu-like symptoms are much milder now--I still get a little achy late on Saturday, but I can live with it. When I receive my meds, I mark each dosage package with 1R(right leg); 2L(left leg), etc. Pulling the skin really tight before I insert the needle seems to minimize discomfort--works most of the time...
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Reviewer: kayt4444, 25-34 Female (Patient)

Comment:
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 ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
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.
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