Interferon beta-1a and Pain: What Users Say

• 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."

• Cil...
• February 7, 2014

For Multiple Sclerosis "I had my first shot yesterday at 15:00 and had body pain and shivers at 19:00, but no side effects at all this morning. I've been diagnosed in 2007 and dreaded interferon side effects, and now, to my great surprise, none whatsoever! In South Africa, Avonex gives great support, they have Avonex MS nurses who assist with the first 3 shots, so no worries on the injection either. Overall, I am elated this morning!"

• Sam...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 16, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been using Avonex since 1999. It has given me a wonderful quality of life with MS. I began using the pen for my injections when it first came out and have never had a problem until the past 4 months or so. My wife gives my injections, and there have been 6 pens we could not get to inject despite her putting both thumbs on the button while standing and using all of her strength (she is 180 lbs.). We have also had about 5 pens that would finally inject after this same procedure but have caused me tremendous pain because of going so deep into my leg. What has changed with the design/manufacturer? This is causing us both tremendous anxiety on shot night."

• 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."

• Ter...
• April 19, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've been on Avonex almost eight months. A little flu-like symptoms the following day. It gets worse if I've had too much coffee, less 'achey' if I'm drinking plenty of water the day before. I'm fairly new to MS, so I don't know if it's stopping the lesions, but I feel better than a year ago. Fortunately, I am in a copay assistance program, so it's zero out of pocket. Thank you, Biogen."