Rebif and Flu-Like Symptoms: What Users Say

• DRE...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 22, 2015

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Rebif 44 mg for 3 years now ever since I was diagnosed. I do my injections at bedtime with a little bit of ibuprofen. I have no family history of MS. When I was diagnosed, I was in denial, disbelief, and very angry. Why me?!! I have so much left I want to do... The side effects I experienced are fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, and next-day dizziness, which were severe for the first year, but no more attacks. Now I experience general fatigue the day after the shot until about noon. I wake up feeling very hot sometimes. The good news is since being on Rebif, only one new lesion has been stopped with steroids. And I have come to terms with the question of why me, to what am I supposed to learn from this. You can live with this and live well."

• Mar...
• July 9, 2013

For Multiple Sclerosis "I am a 31-year-old male, 200 lbs, and was diagnosed with RR Multiple Sclerosis in Feb. 2012. After losing sight in one eye and some steroid treatment, my vision returned, however, the color is still a little off. My neurologist put me on Rebif immediately. Since I have been on Rebif, I have not experienced any major relapses. Just some tremors now and then and other minor symptoms that may just be permanent nerve damage. I take the 44 mcg dose at bedtime with 400 mg of ibuprofen, it seems to help me sleep through the night. I do get headaches often, but the ibuprofen seems to help (not eliminate them). I also get flu symptoms sometimes the day after I take a shot, but not always. My liver enzymes are slightly elevated, but nothing to worry about. Thank you, Rebif."

• hwa...
• February 21, 2011

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 44 mg 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 22 mg 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 the injection site (and burning when the medicine is going in). I use the RebiSmart Injector."

• Tuc...
• January 24, 2012

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 44 mcg. I have extreme fatigue, bruising at the 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."

• Jus...
• June 10, 2015

For Multiple Sclerosis "I am 21 years old and was diagnosed with MS in 2009. I began Rebif 44 mcg in March 2015, and unfortunately, I have experienced most, if not all, of the side effects: fevers, flu, chills, numbness, joint pains, headaches, bruising, nausea, vision issues, bladder issues, etc. I am hoping this drug is for me because I really don't want to have to start over with another one. The injections started off with severe pains, so much so that I am unable to walk after an injection for the rest of the day. But as time passed, it is evident that my worst days have gotten better. No relapses so far. I'm hoping these side effects don't stay..."

• mzl...
• May 5, 2008

For Multiple Sclerosis "Rebif has worked better than Avonex for me. Still get some of the flu-like symptoms."

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

For Multiple Sclerosis "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."