Interferon beta-1a and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Avo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 17, 2013

For Multiple Sclerosis "Avonex has been a Godsend to me. I was diagnosed in '95 after experiencing several bad attacks, one of which required hospitalization. Started Avonex in June '96, one month after it came to market. Got some side effects early on (mainly fatigue), but they soon went away. I no longer have any side effects, don't even premedicate. The injections are little more than a minor inconvenience. More importantly, I have remained stable with no attacks. I did experience some fatigue when starting to use the prefilled syringe. I quickly went back to the original powdered form and remain on it to this day. I probably could have adjusted to the prefilled syringe but choose not to do so. I expect to continue with the Avonex injections unless it stops working, I develop bad side effects, or a cure is found. All unlikely scenarios at this point. I expect to be on it for life."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ste...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 16, 2020

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with RRMS in 2011 and have been taking Avonex since (the pen kit for the past five years). At the time of diagnosis, I was having severe electrical sensations from my neck all the way to my toes when my neck was flexed downward (Lhermitte's sign). My other symptom was numbness in my fingers and toes. After my first month on Avonex, the electrical sensations stopped, as did the numbness. The only symptom I feel now is very slight occasional vibrating/tingling from my neck sometimes for short periods, and chronic fatigue, which I have learned to manage well. I used to get the flu-like symptoms from Avonex 3-4 times per year, but have not had any symptoms from Avonex in several years. My neurologist said I have had no new lesions or disease progression over the past 9 years. And Biogen covers my $120 copay every 28 days. I am very thankful for Avonex!"

• ASY...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 3, 2013

For Multiple Sclerosis "Diagnosed in 1999 and was placed on Rebif since 2004. Never had any other meds. Overall, Rebif was good for me. I had 3 years with a minor relapse in each year (but did steroid treatment to resolve), and then I had no relapses. I must admit that I would skip at least 2 times a year and give myself a Rebif holiday-a week of not taking Rebif (I don't recommend this!). I would always let my doctor know. Despite my success, I stopped in 10/2012 because Rebif never let me feel like myself and I was ALWAYS tired and sluggish. Unfortunately, in 3/2013 I had a terrible relapse that landed me in the hospital for a few days. My neuro said it was aggressive and wants me on Tysabri now."

• K M...
• September 19, 2015

For Multiple Sclerosis "Diagnosed with MS in April 2006 after getting double vision. Started using Rebif in August 2006. Experienced headaches and fatigue the day after a shot once I titrated up to the full dose. Was definitely more severe in the beginning but lessened with time. Ibuprofen has always worked best for me for managing the side effects. In 2013, I found out I had thyroid cancer and had my thyroid removed. I did not have to stop taking Rebif during this time. Also, the first new lesion presented on an MRI - that is 7 years with no remarkable change. In September 2015, I just found out my white blood cell count has dropped remarkably in the last 3 months (I get a Complete Blood Count and liver function done every 3 months, religiously). Probable side effect. Told to stop meds for 1 month."

• Mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 21, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've taken Rebif off and on for about 15 years. My MS has gotten worse, but not tremendously. My biggest problem with Rebif is the side effects are starting to become worse than my MS. To the point where I'm probably going to have to talk to my doctor about getting off. The side effects caused a crushing headache, extreme fatigue to the point where I can't play with my daughter, and general malaise. I've tried other MS medications such as Tecfidera and Betaseron, but they had other issues, which is why I stopped using them."

• Mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 21, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've taken Rebif off and on for about 15 years. My MS has gotten worse, but not tremendously. My biggest problem with Rebif is the side effects are starting to become worse than my MS. To the point where I'm probably going to have to talk to my doctor about getting off. The side effects caused a crushing headache, extreme fatigue to the point where I can't play with my daughter, and general malaise. I've tried other MS medications such as Tecfidera and Betaseron, but they had other issues, which is why I stopped using them."

• Mar...
• June 17, 2011

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."