Interferon beta-1a for Multiple Sclerosis User Reviews (Page 4)

• Lin...
• June 4, 2009

Interferon beta-1a "I've been using this medication since February 2009, when I was diagnosed, and I can't complain much. Most problems I have are 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, a small difference, but still, it's something. I have 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."

• Gla...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 7, 2023

Interferon beta-1a "I started to use the treatment since 2010 and Rebif helped me a lot. Thanks to my neurologist, he diagnosed and put me under the treatment of Rebif dose. This medication controls flares up and allows me to have a normal life."

• jos...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 8, 2025

"My hair was dry, falling out by handfuls, my teeth crumbled, lost all my molars, still losing teeth to crumbling ten years later after stopping. I lost half my hair. Kidney and gallbladder stones, surgery to remove gallbladder. Leg I put the weekly injections in is weak still. I took the shots from 2011 to 2015. Discovered I did not have MS in 2015 and stopped the injections."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 23, 2024

Interferon beta-1a "I was diagnosed in 1999. I was in my 40's. I was put on Avonex. My doctor always said I was the poster child for MS. No one had any idea I had MS. Then my insurance company refused to pay for Avonex. My doctor said I was okay to go off meds because I had had no lesions or flares. Wrong!! The fifth month I had a flare and still have issues today, 6 years later. Then he tried me on Tecfidera, it caused low white count, which they tell me is permanent. Then Plegridy, which I had terrible side effects at the injection site. The red area was as big as a soccer ball. Went back on Avonex, and I've been doing fantastic again!! Had two weeks this year where I actually felt 100 percent normal. I LOVE Avonex and Biogen. I found out this open enrollment. I can't find anyone that covers Avonex through Medicare."

• LB1...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 23, 2024

Interferon beta-1a "Taking for 7 years with few issues except flu-like symptoms 24-48 hr after injection. This is worst 4-8 hr after treatment, then 24 hr and 48 hr after in waves. Simple painkiller largely reduces. Easy to use once the barrier of injecting yourself is overcome. Sharps bin disposal via delivery company and home delivery. No issue storing in fridge. MS hasn’t gotten worse since started."

• JBJ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 24, 2024

Interferon beta-1a "I've been on Avonex for 26 years. I had a choice of Avonex or Copaxone back then. I chose wisely. I have had very mild or no relapses and very little progression. Injections were daunting at first, but a piece of cake now. I use the prefilled syringe after they took the powdered form away. I still take 2 Motrin before injection and inject before bed once a week. The price charged for 4 injections is like $8,800. Thank heavens for insurance."

• cam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2022

Interferon beta-1a "I started Rebif after glatiramer and progressed from 17 lesions to 30. I also experienced seizures, convulsions, and memory loss almost immediately. Unfortunately, this medication did not help me, so I was marked allergic and went through cladribine after... again spread with 18 new lesions. I am on Ocrevus now and hoping for a good result... best of luck, fellow MS'er, and stay strong to everyone that is doing well with Rebif."

• Anonymous
• September 23, 2010

Interferon beta-1a "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 lifesaver for me. I have had no relapses since I began."

• mzl...
• May 5, 2008

Interferon beta-1a "Rebif has worked better than Avonex for me. Still get some of the flu-like symptoms."

• sil...
• January 27, 2011

Interferon beta-1a "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."

• Ant...
• August 19, 2016

Interferon beta-1a "My body couldn't tolerate this medication."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2012

Interferon beta-1a "The flu-like symptoms are horrible. I was told to take Tylenol nighttime before I took the shot. I did, and it seems to help with the effects of the shot."

• CMa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 4, 2021

Interferon beta-1a "I started my MS therapy with Avonex about 25 years ago. I didn't have any side effects with it, but my MS progressed, so I was changed to a different therapy."

• Sta...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 25, 2022

Interferon beta-1a "Avonex has been working great for me. Been taking it for 12 years now."

• msc...
• January 25, 2015

Interferon beta-1a "Been on Avonex for more than 10 years. The flu-like symptoms just never get better. In bed for 2 days, sick with fever. However, I had no major flare-ups in years!"

• Jon...
• September 3, 2017

Interferon beta-1a "I have been taking Avonex for eighteen years. I called it the wonder drug. I've got my life back, and I feel great."

• Cdc...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 28, 2022

Interferon beta-1a "Worked well for 17 years, but after the Covid-19 vaccines, it didn’t help against developing 13 new lesions within a 4-month period."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2018

Interferon beta-1a "I literally spend a whole winter season in the ER because I got bad flu symptoms. Sometimes I was there 3-4 times a week because all I did was throw up."

• Gun...
• December 23, 2015

Interferon beta-1a "Easy to use, no side effects experienced as opposed to interferon beta medication. Good support program and co-pay assistance. Has lessened progression."

• Goo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 1, 2017

Interferon beta-1a "Have been on it for 10 years and have had some activity but no major episodes. Downside: long-term anemia and resulted in avascular necrosis and had to have my hip replaced."

• Hdj...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 27, 2023

Interferon beta-1a "I have been using Avonex (in one form or another) since 1998. The pen is so convenient. I pray that I will always be able to have access to this medication."

• Fed...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 30, 2018

Interferon beta-1a "I can't stand the Avonex Pen. It sticks and you don't get the full dose. The needle is small, does it routinely inject in the muscle? The prefilled syringe is better."

• Suz...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 31, 2020

Interferon beta-1a "I just went to take my injection when I went to push the plastic down to get the needle ready, it was stuck, and the needle pushed through my index finger. It went through my finger."

• Non...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 8, 2020

Interferon beta-1a "I have never had any side effects from this shot at all. Does that mean I don't really have MS?"