User Reviews for Interferon beta-1a

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: My wife has taken avonex since 1997. We believe it's helped reduce the severity of her symptoms.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I have been using it for 7 years and have not had an episode since. I have a very mild case, but my diagnosis was more than 15 years ago, so I was concerned about the secondary progressive symptoms of MS...none to report to date. I have found with the flu like side effects that if I take the shot about 2 hours before bed and sleep for 6 hours without interruption, then I do not suffer from any side effects. The side effects are not as severe as in the beginning, they are just aching joints that are irritating, not "painful"

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: Rebif has worked better than Avonex for me. Still get some of the flu-like symptoms.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I have been using Avonex for 7 1/2 years. I can't help but believe that it is why I'm still up and walking. The injection is only once a week (huge benefit) and the side effects are manageable with Arthritis Strength Tylenol.

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I have had no relapses since I have been on Rebif. I did not experience the sick feeling, Thank God. I do not like the sting, which can vary from none to a bee sting feeling. Also the mark that it leaves. I use my butt so they can not be seen.

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I have taken Rebif; it has worked so well and I have had so few side effects that there's been no reason to try out the other disease modifiers. When on a consistent dosage schedule, I never experienced a relapse. The needle is really small. I rarely use my injector anymore - just stab and go. I take it at night to sleep through any effects. I was warned very seriously about the possible side effects, but the worst that I ever have is a slight fever the morning after an injection, and/or the beginnings of a headache that I nip in the bud with migraine medicine.

Avonex Prefilled Syringe (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I was diagnosed with MS in March 2008 and started Avonex in May. My symptoms were numbness and tingling in my right leg and my right arm and hand, which was sometimes painful (like holding your hand in an ice bucket). The only symptoms I experience now are numbness and tingling in the fingers of my right hand and some frequency of urination. This medicine is great. My body aches all over for about 6 hours after I get the injection and its over about 6 hours later.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I have used Avonex for about a month now, to treat my MS. I have a mild case, and symptoms are not too severe. I appreciate the once-a-week injection (hate needles) but am feeling the side effects. I use the Tylenol PM when I take the injections and that does seem to help. We take the injections on Thursday, and I am able to work from home on Fridays. I am very tired, but usually better by Saturday. I definitely recommend this based on the once-a-week injection vs the daily or every-other day injection of the other choices for MS. Good Luck.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I used Avonex from 1997 - 2002. I did not tolerate it well. Even though I took the injection at night, and an hour after two extra strength Tylenol, I was down and out for 24 hours. I would have stayed on it because it seemed to really minimize the MS symptoms. But an MRI in 2002 showed that the MS was progressing (more plaques on the brain) so the doctor changed me to Beta-Seron. I had two relapses in the last 6 years but in the last 18 months, there has been no change and I am doing well. I tolerate the Beta-Seron well but on two occassions in the past year I had flu like reactions, which I reported.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I have had MS for well over a decade and have been on AVONEX for 2.5 years. I believe this medicine is working well. I have had one small clinical relapse. I make sure to drink plenty of water during the day and take an ibuprofen before my injection. I have had a headache a few times the following morning. This is the only possible side effect I have had.

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I have been diagnosed with MS since April '09. I was first given Copaxone but that medication failed for me. My Doctor then decided to put me on Rebif and there was only time that I had forgotten to take Aspirin before taking the shot and that time I felt really bad the next day... other than that one time, the only other problem that I dislike about taking Rebif is the concept of giving myself a shot but the good part about Rebif is that it has kept me in remission for roughly a year now.

Avonex Prefilled Syringe (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I've been using this medication since February 2009 when I was diagnosed and I can't complain much. Most problems I have is a small amount of chills after injection the day after, maybe a little tired, but in 1-2 days, I'm good to go. I've found some benefits too, cognition is better, small difference, but still it's something. I've a feeling of normality that I've not had in years, not sure if that's the medicine though or just knowing what the heck has been wrong with me all this time.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I have had MS for over 25 years now and have been on Avonex for about 2 months. I find the shots to be tolerable (given to me by someone else) and the side effects are not too horrible. About 6 hours after injection I have chills, muscle and joint aches and a slight headache. These effects last for approx. 4 hours. The following day I feel tired but okay. Not sure if it is helping. I HOPE SO..........time will tell. After all is said and done, the shots and the side effects are not so bad.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I have been an MS patient since I was 17, I am 29 now, I have been using Avonex for 10 years now and am so happy with the results. I take it before I go to bed at night on a weekend, I also take a couple of Tylenol with codeine (#1) and usually only have a slight headache when I wake up in the morning. I do get a lot of migraines, but who knows if that has anything to do with the medication or the fact that I have Multiple Sclerosis. Avonex has worked wonders for me, I usually only have an MS attack on average every 3 to 4 years and they aren't usually that severe. I have relapsing and remitting MS. I would recommend Avonex to anyone who is newly diagnosed. It has changed my life.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: While the Avonex was extremely effective on the lesions (they became smaller and some actually disappeared!). However, the side effects were severe. It literally took me out for 3 days (totally) it took about 2 more days to do anything above the bare minimum i.e. go to work, come home, eat and sleep, and I had about a day and a half to get everything else done such as grocery shopping and mowing the yard and taking out the garbage. Let alone housekeeping. I finally just switched to Copaxone due to anxiety over injecting the drug with such a large needle and to counteract the side effects of Avonex.

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I have been on Rebif for a little over 8 years. I still get fever/chills sometimes during the nights I have a shot. This medication has been a life saver for me. I have had no relapses since I began.

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I was diagnosed with MS in 07/2009 and started this medication in 11/2009. I was titrated up to 22 mg and then titrated up to the 44mg within 4 months of starting medicines. I got an emergency phone call from the Neuro. office after routine blood work came back telling me to immediately move back down to 22mg dose. I had elevated liver enzymes for an entire year on this medication. Finally the levels dropped to normal range. Four months after the liver enzymes normalized I stopped having the flu like symptoms (Fever, headache, general unwell feeling). I take a Naproxen about an hour before each shot. I still get site reactions and some bruising at injection site (and burning when medicine is going in). I use the RebiSmart Injector.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I have been on Avonex for 1 month. I chose it due to the injections once a week. I do not even feel the needle or medication go in. I do ice the area well for 3 minutes and make sure the alcohol dries completely before injecting with the smaller needle. Each week the side effects have been easier but they are still quite strong. I do sleep 8 hours after the injection but wake feeling like I did not sleep at all and like I was run over by a truck until about 20 hours after the injection. It has taken 3 days to get my energy back so far. However I do notice that my Multiple Sclerosis symptoms have improved and I have had feeling in my left foot for the first time since my first attack 3 months ago so that makes it worth sticking with for now.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I took Avonez for 3 1/2 years. I experienced the flu-like reaction about 70% of the time. I fell frequently and was extremely depressed. I did the injections in late afternoon (Friday) and was down for 24 -48 hours. My recent MRI showed more MS activity. I am now trying a different medication.

Avonex Prefilled Syringe (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I began using Avonex when I was diagnosed in March of 2007. I think it has done wonders to stave off progress of the disease. I have not had a major relapse since being on the medication, nor have I ever had an injection site reaction. Side effects were aches and flu-like symptoms the following day, which subsided with the following techniques: Day of injection, filling up on fluids. 2 hours prior to injection, taking 2 ibuprofen. Injection in the buttocks rather than thigh- this made a big difference. Injecting 2 hours prior to bed, then taking 1 more ibuprofen before sleep. Keeping hydrated the day after the injection. I love that it's once a week and there are no red sores from the injection as with other MS medicines.

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I was diagnosed with MS almost a year and half ago. I was on Avonex, but symptoms seems to worsen, so my Doctor switched me to Rebif. I wish I had taken this medication from the beginning! I love love love this injection! I have been on Rebif for almost a month now and can already tell a difference. I have not had any symptoms in 4 days! Which is really good for me, because I always have symptoms everyday. I recommend this to everyone! I have had no side effects, but headache. Its been great for me. No injection irritations at all.

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I have been taking Rebif - I see an improvement in my work and in my attitude and everyday interactions with friends and family. Making me feel a lot better.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I recommend Avonex 100%. I have had MS 8 yrs and since have had no new lesions or episodes. The flu-like symptoms were bad for the first 3 or 4 years but have since basically disappeared. Occasionally, I will have headaches the morning after the shot. Hope this helps you in your decision to choose Avonex.

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: EXTREMELY blessed to have insurance coverage for this medicine. I have Multiple Sclerosis and am 29 years old. I have been sick for about 3 years now, which was about 6 months after the birth of my first and only child. My prior conditions are mostly autoimmune, ranging from Cardiomyopathy to Crohn's Disease. My disabilities from Multiple Sclerosis include right leg/foot drop or weakness, numbness, urinary issues, balance issues, SEVERE nerve pain, etc. I have been on Rebif for a month and have titrated up to the highest level of 44mcg. I have extreme fatigue, bruising at injection site, and flu like symptoms, but I have noticed the longer I have been on it, the better my worst days are. So I am praying this will work.

Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for Multiple Sclerosis: I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 6 years ago. I had/have mild symptoms. I began taking Avonex immediately and have had no significant change in symptoms. I take 1 Aleve an hour before my injection. I chose the last night of my work week so I can't dread "the day." I rotate my injection-left thigh, left hip, right hip, right thigh. I think this will help avoid irritation, though I've never had a problem anyway. My husband gives me my shot so I don't have to look at the needle. I also cough because someone told me you can't tense other muscles during a cough. I relax, and he injects the needle on my second cough. Many times I don't feel a thing. When I do it's minimal. Hip shots are the easiest. I always make sure the Avonex is at room temperature.