User Reviews for Avonex Administration Pack intramuscular

I find shooting up in alternate thighs easy. I see almost no blood and rarely get a bruise mark. To avoid those horrific flu-like symptoms (worse than any flu), I take 3 extra strength tylenol 2 hours before injection and 2 , 2 hours after. Lately I have forgotten the second dose of tylenol and I've been OK. I've been on Avonex for about 7 or 8 years. Is it effective? It keeps the elephants off the front lawn also.

I HAVE DISCOVERED IF I DRINK ALOT OF WATER,TEA,JUICE THE DAY OF THE SHOT IT HELPS THE EXTREME FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS. YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO DO THE SHOT BEFORE BED.KEEP A DRINK BY THE BED.GOOD LUCK!

i have been on this for 2 years. i have noticed a difference with my balance but as for the pins and needles they come and go. i rotate sites(having my husband help) but they are sour, painful, tender, and what ever else comes to mind. all but the fever has gone away. 5 hrs after i had my first shot i felt like i got ran over with a few 18 wheelers i couldn't even walk upstairs to go to bed i particularly crawled up them. all in all i would much rather have a shot once a week then multiple subq in a week. Read More Read Less

I find that Avonex side effects,"flu Like syptoms" are an understatement. It's more like Malaria symptoms. I dread every time I have to be injected, even though I know that the medication is helping me. I even find myself finding excuses to skip a week, which I know is not good. There are times I will try to abort the side effects by taking Tylenol prior to the tx. but that does not always work.

it makes feel awful i wish their was another drug for me

I had only been on Avonex for about 2 months and the check my liver enzymes. They normally check at 3 but one day I had to go into the dr office for her to administer the shot because I just couldn't muster up the strengh to stick myself. She decided to check blood then. Anyway, it severly affected my liver. Even after I discontinued the medicine, my liver enzymes continued to climb. It took months for them to stabalize. They still have not returned to normal. I have to get a sonogram of my liver and biopsy this week. At baseline I was NORMAL!!! I am only 28 years old and otherwise am fine. The Avonex also started to make my hair fall out, which isn't a great look for me:) Overall, the benefits have not outweighed the risks. Read More Read Less

Been on avonex 4 months. Feeling so so, it may be to soon to tell. Im only 28. I had my first noticable attack days before Halloween. I found out a few months later, after three doctors telling me I was just stressed out! Finally I was diagnosed, M.S., I thought I would get use to needles faster but nobody likes to put a needle in there leg! But lots of people have to do it, and it's o.k. to feel uneasy about it.

I have been taking Avonex for 9 years. I have had 1 pronounsed flair up of symptoms scense. That was in 2003. I do get ill on "Shot Day" for about 6 to 16 hours, somtimes very sick, but usally only mildly sick. I will trade a loss of 1 day for 6 healthy symptom free days anytime. I recommend Avonex to any one who needs it.

I have been taking Avonex for over 5 years. Yes the first 6 months with high fevers one day a week and fatigue we're not easy, but...I continue working part time in the ER as a nurse and love my children and husband and thank God for every day I spend with them. The good benefits of Avonex far outweights a couple aches and pains.

After 2 yrs of weekly Avonex injections am still suffering the side effects the day following the injection. Also, since I don't have the relapsing/remitting form of MS - can't really tell if the Avonex is doing any good.

had flu like symtoms ranging from mild to serve for the first year. almost quit taking it and then the next injections have not had any side effects since. have not had any relapses going on three years now.

I was been diagnosed with type 1-primary-progressive MS over 11 years ago. I immediately started Avonex treatments. Avonex apparently has slowed the progress of the MS significantly. Avonex provided the medication for free when I had no coverage, and reciently when we accidently froze the medication. Thank you again for being there when I needed you. CARL

I have been on Avonex for 3 years, and it took about a year for it to reign in the very aggressive form of M.S. I had. My M.S. stopped progressing disability-wise after 10-12 months. The side-effects were brutal in the beginning, but they are nothing compared to my life before being on Avonex. I take Advil ligui-gels for their fast-acting qualities before injecting and after as needed. When M.S. was unchecked and attacking me at will, I lost the ability to walk un-assisted, I lost vision in both eyes, I lost the normal function of my bladder, it even attacked my stomach and I couldn't keep anything down for a short period losing 40+ lbs. I.V. steroids was the only option until the Avonex started doing its job, and the steroids only had about a 50% success rate. I can't imagine how bad I would be without taking Avonex within 6 months of getting diagnosed with M.S. at 33. Sometimes the shots are painful, sometimes the flu symptoms are severe, but they are no comparison to being able to live a somewhat normal life.Read More Read Less

I have been on Avonex since 1999. Having tried copaxone, and having a severe reaction to it made me very wary of injectable medications for treatment of my MS. Since I have been on Avonex I have not had any severe exacerbations. The on episode I did Have in August of 2002 was very mild compared to my first attack. My symptoms were less severe and I recovered much quicker with no loss of function.

although i have been newly diagnosed, and have only had 2 administrations of this drug, i am already seeing some improvements in my symptoms (albeit very subtle improvements as of yet). the avonex manufacturer offers a wide array of support for staying on track, which i truly appreciate. i only take this 1 time per week (IM) and this suits me just fine. i'd recommend avonex to anyone who is considering their treatment options for MS.

Just completed 1st month of Avonex after being off for 3yrs. Living with MS for 14yrs. Love the Avonex, and Avonex support staff is wonderful, I am having needle anxiety and side effects are less now. Mobility is gettin better but the fatigue is not.

Very good most of the time. Ever so often I have a bad feeling needle, but much easier with the 1" 25 ga. needle.

Outside of having "Needle Anxiety", this medicine has been great. And the Avonex folks are great also. Thanks!

Avonex people have been wonderful to me as a patient. I have been injecting for 10+ years and have required financial help over the years. Avonex personnel have always provided this assistance. I believe the medication has slowed the onset of my symptoms. Thanx again Avonex.

Not the funnest thing in the world to do, but, I have no regrets being on Avonex its worked for me. Im just happy there is something out there to help. Any day above ground is great.