Avonex and Pain: What Users Say

• Eug...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 17, 2012

For Multiple Sclerosis "I started Avonex about 6 months after diagnosis. I got terribly sick after injecting. It was like coming down with the flu once a week. I felt feverish and painfully achy. I took naproxen, and that helped. Later on, I asked my neurologist for Vicodin to help out with the achy pain. Together, the medicines helped the side effects. I never miss a week, and as I injected more and more, the side effects have lessened to the point that with Vicodin I can work well on my injection days. I cannot sleep through the night on an injection. I sleep poorly and wake up in pain several times. I have not had a relapse in five years on Avonex, though my balance and leg have slowly worsened somewhat. I still work my feet full time."

• Cil...
• February 7, 2014

For Multiple Sclerosis "I had my first shot yesterday at 15:00 and had body pain and shivers at 19:00, but no side effects at all this morning. I've been diagnosed in 2007 and dreaded interferon side effects, and now, to my great surprise, none whatsoever! In South Africa, Avonex gives great support, they have Avonex MS nurses who assist with the first 3 shots, so no worries on the injection either. Overall, I am elated this morning!"

• Ter...
• April 19, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've been on Avonex almost eight months. A little flu-like symptoms the following day. It gets worse if I've had too much coffee, less 'achey' if I'm drinking plenty of water the day before. I'm fairly new to MS, so I don't know if it's stopping the lesions, but I feel better than a year ago. Fortunately, I am in a copay assistance program, so it's zero out of pocket. Thank you, Biogen."