Interferon beta-1a and Fever: 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• May 17, 2009

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."

• 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..."

• Anonymous
• September 23, 2010

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 lifesaver for me. I have had no relapses since I began."

• msc...
• January 25, 2015

For Multiple Sclerosis "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!"