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Posted 11/7/2006 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone its been awhile since I have been to the sight.  I have been taking Avonex since February.  I was wondering what side effects anyone may be having due to the shot.  My main concern is the depression?  I cannot seem to find an antidepressant that works out ok for me.  I would just like to see what others are taking and the milligram.  I did the Prozac 40mg for a little while and then switched because of some of the side effects I didnt like.  I am currently taking Wellbutrin xl 450mg a day.  I seem so irritable and moody.  I am considering going back to the Prozac.  I am just curious what you all may be taking.  Thanks soooo much Kristin from Louisiana tongue
Posted 11/7/2006 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the board! I hope i didn't miss u before since u said u haven't visited the board in awhile, but if so, my appologies!

I am not dx'd, so don't take any of the CRABs, but i do use cymbalta for help with my overall symptoms. I'm not sure what effect it may have on depression, but it is an antidepressant. I like it a lot, but there are others here who are on other meds and i'm sure they'll be along soon to give u some info on them. I did try the welbutrin before the cymbalta and it wasn't so good for me. I honestly can't remember at this time how it affected me, but i know it wasn't helpful.

Again, welcome to the board! BTW...u'r from LA?? I'm over in Mississippi! Hello neighbor!! :)

rhonda
Posted 11/7/2006 1:32 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Rhonda,

           I live in Vidalia, La. which is right across the river from Natchez, Ms.. My doctor is from Jackson, Ms.  Dr. Parker. tongue

Posted 11/7/2006 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! Kristen

I'm about to start my Avonex regimen. Can you tell me how it affects you? I'm a littile anxious about it. I really have a fear of shots and am trying to build up my courage. I don't know anything about any of the newer antidepressants. I went through a bad time in '88. I was on antidepressants for a while but can't remember the neme. What's new I'm lucky to remember my name these days.(ha ha ha)

Your both my neighbors. I am originally from Denham Springs, LA. I moved to Mississippi thirteen years agoand descided to stay. Most of my family still lives in LA so I visit quite often. I hope neither of you were affected very badly by the storm. I was lucky the water came right up to my apartment building but never got inside. You guys were over closer to where it hit the hardest but I hope you were ok. Bye

mesea
Posted 11/7/2006 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Kristen!!

What'da ya know?! That's my doc too! I was actually referred to him by another member here! I live way down south of u, about 90 miles from the coast. We'll have to coordinate doc appts between the three of us sometimes! We weren't really too affected by the storm. We lost all our cold foods and such and were out of utilities for about 2 weeks, but otherwise no real probs. EVERYONE had roof damage, but that was easily fixed.

rhonda

Post Edited (rhondab) : 11/7/2006 9:14:34 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/7/2006 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
My docs down here on the coast Dr. Millette. A lot people down here who have neurological problemshave seen him or go to him now. He seems to really know what he is doing. Doesnt do much explaining of thing unless I ask but he's alway willing to talk to me and spends a lot of time with me to make sure I understand what he is saying. Sometimes that takes a while because I have Some cognitive didiculties. usually it'sjust remembering words but sometimes it is understanding things I read or hear.

Just call us the southern babes. Bye.

Sheila
Posted 11/7/2006 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
mesea,
I have been taking avonex for a month now. Believe me when I say that the pain from the shots is nothing. i had/have a huge fear of needles, so I didn't think that I could do it. I had someone else give me the first shot so i would know what to expect when I had to do it myself. It really eased my fears to know that it was painless. i still get a little antsy right before I inject myself, but I try not to think about what I'm about to do and just do it.. Just make sure you take the medication out of the refrigerator about a half hour before hand. if its not room temperature it will sting a little when you administer the medication in the syringe. (I didn't wait long enough last time-so i know LOL)
also, make sure you take pain reliever before you do your injection and keep it in your system-the flu symptoms get worse when the reliever wears off. if the symptoms are really bad the first time, don't be alarmed. in my case they got a little better each time, this last week i was actually able to sleep through the night.
as far as antidepressants, I was prescibed trazadone, mainly for a sleep aid but i'm unable to take it, I'm going to ask the doctor for something else to help with depression.
Posted 11/7/2006 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Tiajoy for the advice. I know it's somthing I have to do but the closer I get to Thursday the worse my anxiety gets. I'm glad it doesn't have to go in a vein. The bruises from my hospital stay 3 weeks ago are finally fading. At one time I had three different ivs. My veins are very small and collapse when they stick them.

Antidepessants should be easy to find on the inernet. You should beble to find them pretty easily.

mesea
Posted 11/7/2006 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Kristen,

I had a lot of issues with Prozac and that whole family. Tried Wellbutrin and didn't like it. Most of these make
my head feel like someone put a "Baggy" over my brain. It is hard enough sometimes to concentrate with
disease, but they made it worse. However I have been on Effexor-Xr now for over a month now and it is
not bad. It is listed as an anti-axiety/anti-depressent. I don't have the fog the others gave me, and I am
pretty even as far as my depression and emotions go, so I hope they are working.

Welcome to our family.
Posted 11/7/2006 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone and yes that is wild that we have the same doc Rhonda! To messea I have been taking the Avonex since Feb. I still get a little ancy before shot time too and I normally give myself the shot just because I have no one here with me. Its not painful and I give it in my legs always. I rotate usually each week. I was giving them right above my knee area up some but was bruising alot so my reg doctor told me too start giving it in my thigh are were the muscle is thicker. I still feel like i am not doing it right sometimes and then other times I feel really good about it. I do get the flu-like symptoms sometimes but 4 ibuprofen do the trick. I take it before the shot and when I get up in the morning. Thanks to all of your feedback. Love Kristin
Posted 11/7/2006 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kristen,

 

   Welcome back :-) Did you have depression prior to the Avonex or is it a result of it?   I hope its not too bad for you and you find a med that works to control it.   There's a lot of new things out now that you could ask your doctor about.  I see you got some suggestions already!  Zoloft is the only thing that we've ever tried, it does a great job with depression/anxiety issues but it can cause some trouble sleeping.   Good luck with whatever you decide to try.  Please let us know how you're doing.

 

Kimber

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