1st Shot Rebif - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

niki12 · 02-29-2008, 03:04 PM

Tuesday I went back to my Neurologist he did a nerve test. That felt weird. No nerves are damaged. I advised him of starting Rebif and I go back and see him next month to see how it goes. Well Wednesday Night was my first shot for Rebif. The in home nurse was wonderful spent an hour and half with me. I was so nervous to push that button. After 10 minutes.. after it was said and done I was like why was I so nervous. Now usually when I give blood I always bruise etc. It did not hurt and no marks i took it at 5 pm.. Now the only down fall and I am not sure if this is normal or not is at midnight I threw up. Thursday I was very fatigued and achy all over and just wanted to stay in bed. But by 3pm Thursday I felt fine. Now it is Friday and I have to take my second shot. The shot no longer bothers me but the how will I feel after and the next day is what worries me now. Will keep you posted.

MSNik · 02-29-2008, 03:52 PM

Hi Niki. Just a question, are you taking the titration pack? If so, you start with only 7 or 14 mcgs of Rebif....the usual dose is 44 mcgs, and you work up to that in the second month...you shouldnt be having any side effects at all from this at this point....the dosage is done in a way which allows your body to get used to the drug.
The second month, when you go to full strength, thats when the side effects usually kick in...and what you described, is almost what most people describe.
Flu-like symtoms, including chills, and stomache upset along with fatigue are the usual symptoms of Rebif...but again, they usually dont start until about the second month.
The other side of this is YES, the side effects always kick in about 3 hours after you do the shot...the red marks, if you are going to get them, start about 2 days after the shot and continue for about 3 days, they fade, and the next ones, from your next point of injection then show up..its a never ending cycle....
Overall though, the side effects, the flu like symtoms, only last a few months, then most people stop having them. Try Aleve, 1 pill, 1/2 hour prior to your shot...see if that doesnt help. Works better than anything else Ive tried.
I stopped having flu like symtoms at about the 4 month mark...

good luck- hang tough, it gets easier...I really like Rebif, and havent had any new lesions in almost 18 months while on it!
Nikki

alex74 · 03-01-2008, 03:05 AM

Hi Niki

From my experience, I started with half the dose (0.25) for the first month and then went to full dose one month later. I ve had flu like symptoms since the first injection unilke MSNIk, fatigue and pain in the whole body. The symptoms only increaed slightly once I started the full dose. It is getting milder now after 3 months of injections. Some days, I just take iboprufen or panadol and they both help a lot especially if I have a big day of meetings at work.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Kind regards

alex