Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

Hi mg, sorry about your news, it's a shock for sure, but you've started in a great way by coming here.

I have been on Rebif since the beginning of December. Of course, it always effects everybody differently, but I have suffered the forewarned flu-like symptoms, fatigue, fever, slight chills. I "shoot" at night, using ice, then take a couple or three Advil (ibuprophen) and go to be. I am not having any problems now.

Do whatever the nurse suggests, then if you have problems, try things in different order. Other people use warm heat, I like the ice better.

One interesting note: I used to wait to take my Advil until my fever woke me up around 3 or 4 am., so I changed my method and started taking it at the same time as my injection, and it was a huge help: NO SYMPTOMS.

It helps to take the medicine out of the fridge at least a couple of hours before injecting. What I do is take it out around dinnertime, then inject 4 hrs later.

They increase your dosage gradually as you start, so hopefully you will be like many, and won't even notice.

Best of luck to you!

I know exactly what you are going through. Please read my blog entries about being diagnosed (age age 23), starting Rebif and doing my first shot with a nurse. Plenty to read to get you started if you are interested.
http://lifshen.blogspot.com/

By the way, I work full time and the Rebif has not changed my ability to work, except make me a little slower, in the beginning.

Thank you for your reply it really helped me:)

I have no problems with the rebif, and the side effects have been very mild.

I was too recently diagnosed and have been on Rebif for 3 months-It is a shock and you will have plenty of ups and downs-just go with them.
I never thought I would be able to injhect but here I am doing it okay. I take have to take 2 panadol osteo tablets and one Brufen tablet about 1 hour before the injection and take the meds out of the fridge for about 2 hours prior to injecting. I have not had a problem. The thing I don't like is that it stings-more some nights than others. Always inject in the evening so if you have symptoms you will sleep through them.

I also still get site reactions-big red marks that come up about 2-3 days after injecting and they take quite a while to fade. Good luck and keep us posted on how it all goes.

I agree with everyone. I didn't get the red spots until the 44 dose. I take my advil an hour before. I forgot once and woke up feverish and feeling yucky. I do mine every M,W,F. I rotate spots where I inject and do one week on the left and one week on the right. I use the auto injector. Some places it hurts more than others. And some days too. I don't know what the difference is. I hate needles and I am on my 3rd month. Good luck. My fatigue has increased dramatically over the last 3 or 4 months.

I was on Rebif for 6 months. I found that Aleve works the best for keeping the flu symptoms away. I would take it 30 min. before the shot. I started off with the injecter but then I got brave and did the shot without it. It didn't hurt one little bit that way. I just eased the needle in (I didn't jab it like they show you) and then I pushed the plunger slowly and it was a piece of cake.

Best of luck to you. You'll get the hang of it!

Hi mg...

I tolerate copaxone better overall, but the injections themselves are not a big deal. You get used to them and eventually won't think twice about it. It's empowering to take control of your MS.

Oh, I forgot to mention that the shots hurt less when you have had a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated.