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First Avonex shot done!

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Multiple Sclerosis
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Posted 4/27/2008 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
Well, the shot itself wasn't too bad.  My husband did really well for his first time.  The nurse was here while he did it so I just looked away while he gave it to me.  Wow...the side effects...are just terrible!  I am not sure what I was thinking, but I decided I had time to go out to eat with my family.  The flu like symptoms came on me in a flash and we had to made a speedy exit from the restaurant.  I should have known better...I just really don't know what I was thinking.  The nurse did say there were a lucky few who didn't experience the symptoms at all...I must have had all that wishful thinking in my head.  :)  I am definitely thankful it is over.  Whew!  It felt alot worse than any flu.  She says it gradually gets better with each one.  Thank goodness for that!  Last night I was definitely rethinking this medicine.  But now that I am feeling better, I know that I have to just stick it out.  Easier said than done sometimes.  It sounds as if there are a few of you out there who are taking Avonex too, and you guys are doing well on it, right? 
Posted 4/27/2008 1:01 PM (GMT 0)

I'm not taking Avonex but am on Betaseron, another of the interferon drugs.  Usually they'll recommend that you get injected (or inject yourself) right before going to bed, so that you sleep through the worst of the side effects.  What I generally did when I started was take two ibuprofen before injecting, and put two and a glass of water at my bedside. 

Then inject.  If I woke in the middle of the night with fever, chills, feeling awful, I'd glup down the two ibu's and after 20 minutes or so, go back to sleep.  Sometimes I'd need a couple more in the morning when I woke up.

The worst of the symptoms subsided for me after the first couple of months (remember with the Beta I inject every other day, not just once a week, so your experiences may be different!)  I still take two ibu's before I inject, still inject before I go to bed, and don't usually have anything more the next day.

Posted 4/27/2008 2:56 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Kathy,

Congratulations on your first injection.  I hope you are feeling a bit better this morning.  I am not on avonex so I am not speaking from experience, but I have heard that it can take a couple of months for the side effects to settle down some.  I imagine that you just get used to it as well.  Uppitycats has given you some good advice and I hope it helps.  I use copaxone which is not an interferon, and even with that I inject right before I go to bed. 

I am glad you have started your progression therapy.  For me it, I got that good feeling that I was doing all I could to slow down this disease.  It was empowering.  Good luck, Kathy!  Keep us postes as to how you are doing.

Good job on your signature too!!!  Love and prayers,

Posted 4/27/2008 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kathy,

I'm so glad that your first Avonex injection went well. Yes the side effects are sometimes real bothersome and for most they do subside. I did do exactly what uppitycats suggested to you and it does help. I would deffinately do your med at night. This way, you dont experience the worst of it. With me, I was on Rebif for about 14 months, which the side effects did subside (i thought) but i kept having exacerbations of my ms, so eventually went to Tysabri. Once i stopped the Rebif, my body aches that i was having went away. I thought the soreness of my body was the ms, come to find out it was the Rebif making me feel so achy. You know, this disease being so new to alot of us, you really dont know what to expect, so just listen to your body. We are all in the same boat with all these crazy symptoms and it is awesome to talk w/ folks that are going thru the same thing. We all learn from each other. Good Luck.

Take care,

Lynn

Posted 4/28/2008 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
WOOHOOO KATHY!!!!

Way to go!!...u got the first one done!!! I know u had a really rough first time, but hang in there friend. U"ll make it thru this and in time it should ease up. Just remember to premedicate with some advil or tylenol and make no dinner plans for after u'r shots for now! ;) Way to go friend!!!
Posted 4/29/2008 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry for the delay...I tried to post a couple of nights ago but our internet connection was down and I have just been swamped since then. Thanks so much for your replies! I did take Ibuprofen with my shot and about every 4 hours Friday night and Sat morning, but it just didn't really help all that much. I am definitely going to be taking the shot at bedtime from now on so I can try and sleep my way thru the stuff. I would have this first time, but the nurse was here in the afternoon and she wanted to watch my husband give me the shot the first time. At least I know when my body starts to feel the effects, so I can time it well next time. Again, thanks for everything. It's so great having you all to talk to about all of this!

Kathy
Posted 4/29/2008 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
I am an avonex girl! It does get better and for a whole bunch of people the side effects go away entirely (not the case for me). Take it at night, and for your next shot you will probably be a little more aware of the shot part so make sure to ice your leg up first. I try to keep the day after my shot light and I know this is funny, but eating seems to help me with the side effects. I always have a big breakfast the morning after shot night. Congrats!! I have been on it for 2 years and I still remember that first shot!!!
Posted 5/2/2008 6:08 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Kathy,

Congrats on your first shot! I hope your next shot goes even better for you, and you are able to sleep away the worst of the after effects.

Sunny

Posted 5/4/2008 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everybody! Sorry it's been so long posting....I've been so busy with everything. Just had my second shot last night and the side effects weren't nearly as bad. I kept on top of the Ibuprofen and I was already in bed when the symptoms hit, so it wasn't as bad. Thank goodness!
Posted 5/4/2008 1:42 AM (GMT 0)

Oh yay!!!! I am so glad to hear this.  You are doing great!!  Thanks for the post.  I was wondering how you were doing.

Love and prayers,

Posted 5/4/2008 6:33 PM (GMT 0)

That’s great Kathy! :-)

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