Interferon beta-1a and Headaches: What Users Say

• hst...
• July 25, 2013

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed in Nov 2006. Avonex did not work, so early in 2007, I started on Rebif. Six years, no relapses. I would get very bad headaches on the two-day stretch with no Rebif. I made the mistake of stopping my Rebif for about six months, and I had a relapse. Face is numb, and legs and feet tingly. I regret stopping for the six months. I should have called MS Lifelines and figured out how to manage the headaches. Regardless, I am back on Rebif and will gladly suffer a headache if I don't suffer any more relapses. If the going's good... don't quit!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 28, 2011

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been an MS patient since I was 17. I am 29 now. I have been using Avonex for 10 years now and am so happy with the results. I take it before I go to bed at night on the weekend. I also take a couple of Tylenol with codeine (#1) and usually only have a slight headache when I wake up in the morning. I do get a lot of migraines, but who knows if that has anything to do with the medication or the fact that I have Multiple Sclerosis. Avonex has worked wonders for me. I usually only have an MS attack on average every 3 to 4 years, and they aren't usually that severe. I have relapsing and remitting MS. I would recommend Avonex to anyone who is newly diagnosed. It has changed my life."

• Pam...
• October 26, 2011

For Multiple Sclerosis "I recommend Avonex 100%. I have had MS for 8 years, and since then, I have had no new lesions or episodes. The flu-like symptoms were bad for the first 3 or 4 years but have since basically disappeared. Occasionally, I will have headaches the morning after the shot. Hope this helps you in your decision to choose Avonex."

• Nur...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 29, 2014

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Avonex for about 5 years and have had no relapses. Have had Multiple Sclerosis for 14 years. Great to have 1 injection a week rather than 3 with Rebif, which I was on before or Copaxone every day. The only drawback is the headache and tiredness felt the day after. These symptoms have not improved at all for 5 years. Starting to have spasm attacks at night recently, so might change to another medicine. Very effective medicine, though, never had any relapses, and that's the most important thing!"

• Nhl...
• September 13, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I just started this medication. With each injection, the side effects have gotten worse. I did my 3rd dose last night, and I'm miserable. The body/muscle aches, headaches, etc. are about unbearable. Each time, I took two 500 mg Tylenol before my injection as recommended by my training nurse. I was told about the flu-like symptoms, read the booklet my neuro gave me, but I thought the symptoms would subside at least halfway through the next day. I am so pained. I keep taking Tylenol and even my muscle relaxer, hoping for relief. But nothing seems to help. I called into Biogen after my 2nd dose. No help. Copaxone gave me bad brain fog and injection site reactions. Tecfidera kept me in the bathroom in unbelievable pain. Not sure what to do now."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2010

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with MS almost a year and a half ago. I was on Avonex, but symptoms seemed to worsen, so my doctor switched me to Rebif. I wish I had taken this medication from the beginning! I love, love, love this injection! I have been on Rebif for almost a month now and can already tell a difference. I have not had any symptoms in 4 days! Which is really good for me because I always have symptoms every day. I recommend this to everyone! I have had no side effects, but headache. It's been great for me. No injection irritations at all."

• 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..."

• 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."

• NC ...
• February 2, 2012

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've only been on Avonex for 2 weeks, but I have not experienced any of the bad side effects that others have mentioned. Had just a slight headache the first time, and nothing today. I do take 2 ibuprofen twice on injection day, along with an Aleve and perhaps 2 liters of water. Despite my initial fears, the injection is painless."

• Anonymous
• July 11, 2009

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have had MS for well over a decade and have been on AVONEX for 2.5 years. I believe this medicine is working well. I have had one small clinical relapse. I make sure to drink plenty of water during the day and take ibuprofen before my injection. I have had a headache a few times the following morning. This is the only possible side effect I have had."

• chi...
• March 25, 2010

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have had MS for over 25 years now and have been on Avonex for about 2 months. I find the shots to be tolerable (given to me by someone else), and the side effects are not too horrible. About 6 hours after injection, I have chills, muscle and joint aches, and a slight headache. These effects last for approx. 4 hours. The following day, I feel tired but okay. Not sure if it is helping. I hope so... time will tell. After all is said and done, the shots and the side effects are not so bad."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2022

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have only been using Rebif for about 3 months. I started on the low dose and worked my way up to a full dose. I have been on the full dose just shy of 2 months. I started to notice a sore crop up here and there in my mouth and thought it was a canker sore and it would go away after a day or two. Recently, I got a HUGE sore on my lip. Super swollen and throbbing, eventually leading to what appeared to be a blister. The doctor said to stop the meds immediately. I also have been sick for 2 months and have had 3 rounds of antibiotics and prednisone for respiratory issues. I have no idea if the meds were helping. Frankly, when you read about all of the meds, it's a bit scary. Don't know what direction I will go from here."