AVONEX...still making me sick - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

victoria_TN · 03-04-2007, 10:17 PM

hi, i'v been taking avonex for over a year and still i get sick every week. anyone taking avonex, does it still make you sick. please let me know.

thanks,
vickie

MSNik · 03-05-2007, 06:30 AM

Hi there. Im not on Avonex, but I am on Rebif, and the first 6 months I was sick every day of my life. Someone suggested to me that I try Aleve or Naprosen, instead of Tylenol before my injection. Its a 12 hour over the counter drug, and I found that it WORKS!! I also ice the site for 2 full minutes before the injection and rub the spot for 2 full minutes aftewards in order to disperse the medicine more quickly. But, the ALeve really seems to make the difference. Just for the heck of it, one night, I tried the Tylenol again, and sure enough, I was sick all night..
Just a suggestion but maybe you want to think about it..
Nikki

PghGuy00 · 03-05-2007, 09:54 AM

GOD!!!! Yes I still get sick!!!. It is going on 9 months now for me. I do my shot late Saturday afternoon, knowing that the effecs wont hit me until about 4-6 hours later, (I like to go out on Sat nights and still have a good time, HEHEHE) but I know never to make any plans for Sunday. I'm like a thug all day and sometimes into Monday also.

Lisa_P · 03-05-2007, 04:07 PM

I was on Avonex for almost a year and a half and at the end it was every week still. Just before the pharmacy started giving me the premixed syringes, I had been "getting used to" the stuff and only had the flu every so often. So I wonder if the powder that you mix yourself is just more easily tolerated by some? If I ever go back on Avonex, I would BEG for that older version of the drug. The "new, improved" was NOT better for me.

amy2705 · 03-05-2007, 06:25 PM

Ugh, that's so depressing. I've one been on a month. Just did the 4th injection (pre-filled syringes). Nothing will (hopefully) ever compare to the first one ... but I've been hoping that it would eventually stop making me sick every week.

I've been loading up on advil and taking a sedative when I inject (at night) and that seems to help.

Anyone got any more tips?

PS. Is it still AS BAD after you've been on it a while or slightly better (albeit still not great)??

Oh lord - I can't believe it doesn't get better! The nurse who came to train me to do the injections said it would get better after ~6 weeks. Ugh.