User Reviews for Avonex intramuscular

I have been on Avonex since being diagnosed with MS 7 years ago. It has worked for me, but I do have to say getting past the flu like symptoms was the hardest part. I was ready to quit the shots all together because of that. I had 103-104 fevers, my body felt like I was run over by an 18 wheeler and my fever would come fast and leave fast (all and all it would last for about 7 hours) and after the fever was gone I was covered in sweat and left with a massive headache for the remainder of the day. I would freeze when the fever was coming on! My kids piled blankets up on me and I couldn't feel the tips of my fingers and my hands would be the worst part to hurt. BUT, I stuck it out and got past all of that and now I take 2 Aleve right after taking my shot and haven't had a side effect in over a year. They come back once in a great while but it's nothing like it used to be when my body was getting used to the medicine. I was afraid to swap to a different medication too when all of that happened because they all have flu like side effects so I was afraid it would do the same thing.Read More Read Less

ok

Had 2 flare ups prior to dx. On Avonex for 5 years. Initially very depressed from it, severe flu symptoms and body chills/aches. Next day fill off, tired, don't move too well. Next day OK, following day back to self. No flare ups since on Avonex.

I have been diagnosed with MS for almost 6 years and have used Avonex since the beginning (I figured if I have to inject myself, it may as well be only once a week - the size of the needle was not important). I inject (with the pen - which is great) at night and take tylenol. I sleep through any side effects (if any).

Once a week treatment, very effective, side effects subside shortly after the first few doses...

I've been on Avonex for 6 months. I had little to no side effects. Its easy to use and I have seen a huge difference. Less numbness, less falling down, better vision (optic neuritis) I am very happy with my choice.

I have been on Avonex for the last 13 years. I just don't like taking shots AI wish it came in pill form

Diagnosed w/MS 1984. Since starting on Avonex 10+ years ago I've had no flare-ups. Insurance pays for it. Here's how I take the shot. One hour prior take 5 mg of Prednisone per Neurologist recommendendation. Let injection stay out to room temp. usually one hour also. When taking the shot I wipe the site with the alcohol and then set up the needle. I put my fingers around the site of the injection and then shake it while I inject. This distracts me and I feel no pain and my attention is distracted enough not to focus on the needle or any pain. It works. I recommend Avonex highly. Read More Read Less

I have had MS for nearly 30 years & have used Avonex for the last 15. The arrival of the new "pen" method of injecting has been a lifesaver. I had been having extreme needle phobia, out of nowhere, for some years but the pen is absolutely simple & doesn't leave me time to get fearful. Please try it if you are nervous about the needle. The flu symptoms still show up randomly, but 2 tylenol a couple of times during the day take care of that. Don't hesitate to try it.

I had otic neuritis in 1993 and in 1995 tingling in my leg and was dx at that time. I went on Betaseron right away and remained for 2 yrs. I discontinued use in 1997 to have children. I never went back on and over the next 10 yrs had many relapses but always remitted completely. After divorcing in 2009 and having one of my worst relapses I decided to go back on Betaseron. After 2 yrs I was having pretty bad flu like side effects with every injection (every other day), that was making it difficult to keep up with life. My dr suggested switching to Avonex which I did 3 months ago. I do have fairly intense flu like symptoms but they only last a day so far better than 3-4 times a week. I drink lots of water the day of injection, get medicine to room temp before injecting and take at bedtime Sat so I can rest Sun if I need to. I also take a sleeping pill and motrin, without them sleep is almost impossible. If I get 8 hours sleep after shot I usually just feel run down the next day and by day 2 back to life as normal. My boyfriend injects for me because I just don't think I can do it myself but it's usually painless. I have not had a flare up in 3 yrs but have only been on Avonex 3 mos so I can't make the call on effectiveness. At 40 I have had RRMS for almost 20 yrs and have very little residual disability and I have to credit the use of these medications for my successRead More Read Less

I have had MS for over 30 years. I took Avonex for close to ten years. Originally I improved on it. In the last two years, the flu-like side effects would NOT quit . . . and I was getting 4 exacerbations a year, Overall, I was deteriorating--to the point I started handicapping the house. Two years ago, I switched to hyperbaric oxygen and low dose naltrexone . . . and I have not looked back. I have gone from not being able to walk from one end of the house to the other to hauling concrete blocks around the backyard. Read More Read Less

I was diagnosed since a year. I started taking Avonex as my first medication 5 weeks ago. I didn't take any thing else before then. The first time injecting it was by my mother, I wasn't comfortable to self injection so she just pressed the needle in my thigh and i continued the injection to prove to myself that i can do it. The second time i did the whole injection process by myself and then it became like a piece of cake. There is a trick that you can do to easy injection which is; compressing the part that you are going to inject with your fingers to gather your senses on the compression process not when the needle is getting in. Regarding the Side effects; i had a rise in the body temperature and body shakes for a couple of hours. These side effects are nearly vanished in the last injection (5th injection). I take 2 Panadol tablets before injection by one hour and anothor two after 4 hours. As i am still new to this medication i can't comment on its effectiveness but i hope it would be really helpful.Read More Read Less

I have been taking Avonex for almost 2 years. Thankfully my husband injects me as I don't think that I would have the bottle to do it myself. I have had no new lesions since starting. I was using the prefilled syringe but found the side effects unbearable. I changed to the original water/powder preparation early last year and am much more satisfied. Only problem is that my weight has shot up since I've started. I've put on approx a stone and a half -20lbs. Not too happy about this!!

Initially some flu like symptoms, but has subsided to just about none with 1 dose of Advil or Motrin just before bedtime and 1 additional in the morning. No new experiences since starting injections and MRI's have also showed no additional progression.

i find that the only thing about this medication is the side effects i get chills, fatigue extreme depression and headaches. These symptoms only last about a day or so im hoping the results far out weigh the side effects

symptoms less severe..simplicity to use..self inject and have had no serious side effects

I am a true Avonex veteran, been on it over fifteen years (since June 96). I had several exacerbations prior to starting Avonex. The latter one landed me in the hospital and on steroids. Had some Avonex 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

I have been on this since 2000. I have also been very lucky that my side effects are very mikd. Usually, I am uo the next day doing whatever I want, occasionally, I do have a bad week, but, there are many more pluses than negatives!!