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4.0 Overall Rating

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Most voted positive review

10 People found this comment helpful

Been on Avonex 4 years - still have side effects - small sacrifice to remain ambulatory!

Shared reviews and ratings

Anonymous | 35-44 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
12/5/2012
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This is my second review of this medication. I have been taking Avonex, now for about 2 1/2 years. So far, this has worked very well for me. No MRI change and no relapses. I just started with the new pen style injector. Once I get used to it, this will be great.(Still takes some time to push the button lol) It doesn't hurt like the regular shot and its done in seconds. The needle is shorter and thinner. The needle and med. both go in, with the same action, (pushing the button). Its really a piece of cake to use. I still get the crappy feeling the next day, side effect. Its nothing we cant handle and its certainly better than the alternative. I say again, make sure you do what your dr says and stay positive. After 4 years with MS, It is still not the end of the world, dont let it be for you.Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 19-24 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
7/22/2012
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Been taking it for a year and a half. Had no flare ups and with the new Avonex pen, its even easier to take. I get no side effects now and I think that it is really helping me succeed.

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Martha | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
7/9/2012
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been on the drug a long time. I switched from Betaseron in the middle 1990s. Since on the medication, I have been VERY MUCH better. The side effects are minimal. I am thankful to have this medication available. I have no intention of stopping.

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Yovanova | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
4/2/2012
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

In the beginning, it was working great. I thought it was the best thing. I started taking it in 2004 and two years later my symptoms started getting worse. I now have nerve damage. I still experience those nasty side effects from the Avonex 8 years later. My neuro is changing my meds soon to Gilenya. Can't wait!

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sannergirl | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
12/20/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been taking avonex for a year now. I have the smaller needle witch helps. I take 3 advil liquid gels right before my shot and then every 4 hours after. I give it in the morning and the symptoms are much more managable. I use the ice for 90 sec. and then i don't even feel the needle so overall very pleased with my experiance.

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Benjamin | 35-44 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
11/23/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have being taking Avonex for the last year, it results as slow as painful (the injection), and it takes an entire day of my life because of the fatigue side effects. The relation cost/benefits is no so clear for me.

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jlefferts3 | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
11/3/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I get a small side effect for one day.

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Avonexveteran | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
10/5/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

For me Avonex has been great! Started Avonex in June 96 after several exacerbations, the latter of which landed me in the hospital and on steroids. Had some side effects early-on but they soon went away. More importantly I have remained stable with no attacks since on the drug. Now I self-inject weekly and its little more than a minor inconvenience. I know some can't tolerate Avonex , but for me its been a godsend. I fully expect to be on it indefinitely, probably for the rest of my life. But that's OK with me and far better than the alternative!Read More Read Less

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joann | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
10/3/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

when you first start taking it, it's rough. You get symptoms almost 4 hours from the injection to the minute. You get flu like symptoms with a headache so bad the hair on your head hurts. I was told at first to take benedrill, and I was out of it for days. A simple 800 motrin takes care of the symtoms you just need to do it before the 4 hours. I get the injection in my hip area, and go back and forth each Sunday. If I get the shot in the arm you will feel the symptoms in 2 hours. I have been on this med for probably 10 years. I have gone through the loss of my mother and father the most stressfull time of my life and I didn't have an episode. I highly recomend this drug. I fear the needle each week (you think i would be use to it by now) but the new pill that's out has much worse side effects. I have my meds delivered to me at my work place, they come in a cooler with ice packs. This way they aren't sitting by your side door in the summer heat and all that money goes down the drain. They give you a 3 month supply at a time. The only bad thing is if you don't do the shot yourself, they charge you $25.00/week and my ins company $161.00/week and that is just for someone to inject you. My 90 year old Aunt gives me my shot, she is teaching my husband to do it, since she feels she can't live forever just to inject me. I hope this helps you. I am a very lucky MS person. People know I have MS but you can't tell by looking at me, I don't live my life like I have it. I would rather have MS then CANCER. At least I can do something about it. I am determinded to not let it get me down. Read More Read Less

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Linnezer | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
8/14/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I've only been on it for a few months. Was on copaxone for three years, went off it cause I wasn't good at daily injections. I've had no side effects with Avonex, nor did I have any with copaxone. I had no flare ups worth mentioning while on copaxone. I can't speak for Avonex's effectiveness since I've only been on it for a short time, but so far so good.

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Anonymous | 35-44 | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
6/1/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been using Avonex now for nearly a year and a half now. I still take the Advil (800mg) prior to taking my shot. I almost always go to bed right after. It still hurts a little, but it beats the alternative,(wheel chair, walker, etc) I still feel like crap the next day, but its tolerable. I have had no symtoms since starting Avonex and no relapses, for over a year. The Doc said no need for an MRI at this time. This stuff has been great for me. Attitude is a major contributing factor to how you feel. If you are down and hide under the covers, you will feel worse. I am very active 2 jobs, one of which requires me to walk about 3 miles EVERYDAY! I also have 3 kids. I told the Doc no time to be sick. If you are taking this med use it as directed by your Doc. Stay positive, this is not the end of the world for any of us.Read More Read Less

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lucillemar | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
4/16/2011
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Return then Become Less Severe
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have only used AVONEX since I was diagnosed in 2004. No flareups of pain, numbness, tingling; but have had a couple flareups of optic neuritis and needed a few days if solumedrol IV to get vision back to normal. Still R&R level, have side effects from shot, but is getting gradually less with sharp rise in temp resulting in shaking shivers....until tylenol breaks fever and then I'm uncomfortably hot again and back in front of fan to breathe....Wish the best for all of you coping and fighting this disease.,.God Bless You All!Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
12/11/2010
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Been on Avonex for 3+ years. My Dr. wants me to stay on this one since it has been very effective for my case. Still experience the flu-like side effects. Glad that I only have to take the shot once a week, especially since I have to do it manually with no autoinjector like Copaxone has.

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Frustrated | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
9/18/2010
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was diagnosed with MS in September 2009. Started Avonex therapy in October 2009 and my health started to steadily decline. I have seen two different Neurologists due to my balance problems within the last year. I had my first MRI's performed in September 2009 and follow-up MRI's in August 2010. Results were the same. Both Doctors agreed that Avonex was a good drug, and both advised that I keep taking Avonex (due to no negative side effects) instead of another drug. I now rely on a cane in order to walk everyday. Signed, VERY FRUSTRATED Read More Read Less

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Avonex veteran | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
6/27/2010
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been on Avonex for fourteen years. Had previously tried Betaseron but had to quit after a few doses due to side effects. Since on Avonex I have remained stable with no attacks. This was confirmed by a recent MRI to check for progression. The MRI came back negative with no active lesions. I no longer have side effects of any kind, don't even premedicate. Had some side effects, mainly fatigue, when I first started therapy. They dwindled over time and went away. I should add that I did get some side effects when going to the prefilled syringe, so I quickly went back to the original powdered form which I remain on to this day. In summary, I am very satisfied with Avonex. It has kept my MS at bay. Self -injecting has become little more than a minor inconvenience with virtually no side effects. So I plan on continuing with the weekly injection barring a cure and take my disease one day at a time.Read More Read Less

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montana | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
5/6/2010
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

have only been using for 2 months. only had flu like symptoms on one occasion. i drink plenty of water and take advil two hours before my shot, then tylenol pm before bed. my wife gives me the shot as i have limited use of my right hand. no improvement in my hand, but more energy and less fatigue.

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Thumper | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
4/24/2010
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

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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bruiser | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
4/19/2010
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
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rgacpa | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
4/17/2010
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

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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Ladybug | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
2/28/2010
Condition: Multiple Sclerosis
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

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...Read More Read Less

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