How to decide which day to take my injection?? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

shaywood · 02-15-2006, 11:18 AM

I was diagnosed in November and I finally got my Avonex delivered yesterday. It is about time. I am having trouble picking a day to take it. What factors did you put into place to decide the day that you wanted to take your meds. I am a stay at home mom and wife. My husband works through the week and sometimes works weekends, but he usually has sundays off. I am not sure how I will react to it and how bad the flu symptoms will be. I heard that it is best to take at night for some people. So I was thinking about takeing it on saturdays so if I feel bad the next day my husband will be there to help with the kids, but I hate to put a damper on the weekends. At least I would have sat. to feel up for doing things with my family. I am just not sure what day to pick at first. Open to any suggestions.

jennypash · 02-15-2006, 12:18 PM

Hi there!

I have been on Avonex since October and although my side effects have improved alot, I still get pretty sick on shot night (and exhausted the next day). I work full time outside of my home so I have to do my shots on Friday night so I don't miss work. My son goes to his dad's house every other weekend so on the weekends he is home, my hubby will take him out in the morning so I can sleep in and rest. When he isn't home, I spend almost the whole day laying low. It really wipes me out the next day though, even if I sleep through the side effects my body is tired when I wake up. I would suggest picking a night to do the shot when you don't have a full and busy day the day following the shot. It effects everyone different so you may have little or no side effects. Just plan ahead in case you do. My goal is to do my shot on a work night so I don't lose part of my weekend (I really miss my Friday nights and Saturdays!) I am not at the point yet where I could work the next day, but hopefully I will be soon! Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

jennypash · 02-15-2006, 12:19 PM

Hi there!

I have been on Avonex since October and although my side effects have improved alot, I still get pretty sick on shot night (and exhausted the next day). I work full time outside of my home so I have to do my shots on Friday night so I don't miss work. My son goes to his dad's house every other weekend so on the weekends he is home, my hubby will take him out in the morning so I can sleep in and rest. When he isn't home, I spend almost the whole day laying low. It really wipes me out the next day though, even if I sleep through the side effects my body is tired when I wake up. I would suggest picking a night to do the shot when you don't have a full and busy day the day following the shot. It effects everyone different so you may have little or no side effects. Just plan ahead in case you do. My goal is to do my shot on a work night so I don't lose part of my weekend (I really miss my Friday nights and Saturdays!) I am not at the point yet where I could work the next day, but hopefully I will be soon! Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

JulieDe · 02-15-2006, 01:30 PM

I've been on Avonex since Nov 2005 and I take my injection on Sat nights before I go to bed. That way I have all day Sunday to recover from any side effects I might have. They have improved over time. I didn't have any for 3wks in a row then last week I had a bad night. Woke up several times, was achey, etc. I also take the shot out of the frig about 4-5pm and leave it out for about 7-8 hrs. Seems to cut down on the side effects. Just watch you don't leave it out for more than 12. Good luck!

StephanieAnne · 02-15-2006, 02:50 PM

Shay
I take mine on Thursday night, Thurs was the day that I went to the DR's to learn how to give me the injection and that is how I picked that day.

The symptoms lasted for about 3 weeks, then they went away, and came back about 6 months later for a few weeks and I have not had any side effects since the summer. I started Jan 2005. I found that I have 5 hours after injecting until the symptoms start, so I shoot usually around 8 or 9pm, so I will be sleeping if they start, BUT I have woken up at 3am and not had any side effects at all. The symptoms that I felt were that feeling of chills all thru my body, like your body is trying to yawn, it's just uncomfortable, so don't forget to take something for it.

I am the biggest chicken on the face of this green earth, I tried my whole life to talk any dr out of giving me any shot, and now I give myself one every week, life is strange itsn't it?

Have you had someone show you how to inject? are they pre mixed needles or do you mix it? I hear that the mix it solution doesn't have bad side effects/symptoms. I am thinking that if you do the 1st one on Saturday night, then you will have your hubby around for the 1st day after, then see how you feel and maybe you will want to move the injection time to friday so you will have some of your weekend, and I remembered I felt crummy for about 1/2 a day. Then felt normal..... whatever normal is now

Hope this helps