Starting Rebif tomorrow - kind of nervous!! - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

murph154 · 11-19-2007, 10:10 AM

I know I'm crazy to do this during a holiday week, but I wanted to start while I had a few days off of work! Any tips for managing those first few injections? I have to do the first one in the morning, but the nurse told me that the dose was so low that i SHOULD be okay doing it in the morning instead of at night.

Appreciate the feedback & support!!!

Erin

MSNik · 11-19-2007, 10:36 AM

HI Erin!! Wooohooo. Yup, lots of advice for you. And, before I give it, congratulations! Taking shots is a huge step and its not something to make light of....even though this will be second nature to you before Christmas time, its still hard getting up the courage to do it in the beginning.
The good news is, if the nurse said you are starting low, then you are doing the titration pack. Thats about 7 mcgs of the medicine the first 2 weeks, 21 mcgs the second 2 weeks and then you go to full strength, which is 44 mcgs. Your nurse is right...the first two weeks are NOTHING! You wont feel much of anything, because the dose is so low. Most people start feeling the "flu like effects" which Interferons are known for when they hit the 21 mcgs....it happens. IN order to avoid it, please try Aleve. (Naproxsen) Its sold just like Tylenol, over the counter, and it lasts for 12 hours~! YOu only have to take 1 pill, not two...and you WILL sleep thru most of the effects. TRuthfully, I take my shot mid morning too many times- especially if I know Im going out that night or have a late afternoon meeting. If I take my shot after 7 pm, I cant sleep....dont know why, its not one of the side effects, but Rebif makes me more alert! (this is a huge benefit to the drug in regards to fatigue). Remember it takes up to 6 months for the drug to reach full strength in your body and start doing what it is meant to do, so dont freak if you relapse in month 2 or 3...I did, and then BOOM. I started feeling GREAT!

The best advice I can give you is to relax...remember that you are taking control of your MS, instead of your MS controlling you. Remember to ice the area prior to injection, and massage (rub) the area right afterwards....I use a product called Arnica to massage with- its sold in health food stores. Its a gel, like Aloe, but it has properties in it which help to prevent bruising....by using it to massage with, I rarely get a red mark from my injections...and when you do get one, it takes about a day to show up and goes away in another 24-48 hours. ITs not a big deal.

Biggest piece of advice is to remember that millions of us are on this drug and it is helping us. I wont lie- its not the easiest thing to get used to in the beginning, but really, once you ve been on Rebif for 3 months the side effects go away entirely. ( I dont take the Aleve anymore unless I wake up feeling lousy to begin with and want to take one "just in case"). YOul be able to travel with this drug- and live a normal life....as scared as you are, and I do remember how scared I was- its going to be fine!
PLease keep us posted? I want to hear how well you did..
Nikki

murph154 · 11-19-2007, 03:06 PM

thank you so much, Nikki! I really appreciate your kind words of support & advice! I am ready to get started, actually. If there is something I can do to slow this down - the sooner the better! I am very lucky that I've only had 2 relapses (one major, one minor), so i'd like to minize any future problems if i can!!

I will let you know how i do.

thanks again!

take care,
Erin

MSNik · 11-19-2007, 04:27 PM

I think that you are thinking very smart, Erin! I took the same approach. Kick it and kick it good! Rebif doesnt guarantee anything, no drug does..however statistically speaking, it will reduce your chances of progression and at the very least, slow it down! Remember, the first 3-5 months are the toughest. Hang in there and dont give up....one day you wake up and realize that you are doing really well, and that is a great feeling!
Keep me posted, I want to hear how it goes...and once you start, if you have any questions, dont hesitate to shout out to me here!
Nikki

murph154 · 11-20-2007, 12:30 PM

I'm proud to say that i did my first injection this morning and it was really no big deal at all!! YEAH!!!!!! the nurse was fantastic. she got right to the point and we did the shot within about 20 minutes of her arriving (after she had me practice a couple of times), just so i would hear the rest of her instructions and not just think about the shot!

i'm so glad that's over with!!!!!