Don't take Avonex !

Kathy wrote:

I have been on Avonex for 5 months now and I am not depressed, but I do experience migrains on a daily basis when before Avonex, I never had a headache. I have an appointment with the doctor next week to discuss this situation and hopefully, I too can discontinue use of this over-priced medication.

barbara babbles wrote:

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hi kathy and all of you! I am so glad to have found this forum in hopes to help others relieve symptoms and problems. there is so much research out there - even at the library. when my husband was diagnosed with ms over 8 years ago and was started on avonex, we knew it was making him sicker in different ways. kathy, first, i am concerened about your migraine symptoms. if there are any visual problems that often accompany migraine, first be sure to see your neuro or medical opthamologist to determine there is no optic neuritis, which can accompany or be the start of neuro disease. i dont reall migraine being a side affect of the avonex (I just forget), but it is a common accompanying problem with neuro ailments or more often a sign of stress or changes in temperature/climate. sometimes a shot of strong coffee if you have not already had caffeine that day will help. If you drink more than a cup of coffee a day, try substituting a cup or so with white or green tea and switch to honey or stevia instead of sugar. NO SUGAR SUBSTITUTEs like aspartame or the like! other remedies are an ice pack across the eyes, head massage at temples and nape of neck, meditation (regulate breathing for as long as you can) avoid light, onions, anything with msg (hotdogs, lunch meat, soups and other canned goods or microwave meals, even chips! have it) some say chocolate is a trigger, of course any allergies are a trigger such as dust and pollen so avoid that if possible. now, treatments we have found research on for neuro disease such as MS have been cold treatments- a long cold bath to relieve nerve problems, try adding lavendar (a few drops only). any area affected can be treated with cold and avoid the heat at all costs. drink tons of water to keep your body hydrated, dehydration will only worsen your symptoms. eat raw veggies, or mildly cooked. if that grosses you out,actually regardless- please oh please take a heavy duty multi vitamin everyday with extra b's, d, e & a. additionally EVENING PRIMROSE supplements above all have been the key to my husbands recovery WITHOUT PHARMACEUTICALS AT ALL! Also, fish oil capsules high in OMEGA 3,6,& 9, dea, dhea, etc or flax seed will only help too. It has been several years now (4) and he has never felt healthier in his life. we also eat as much natural and organic foods as we can and have removed all additives, preservatives, as I said MSG, and dyes from his diet (as much as we possibly can!)candy is also a big fat no no -only on occasion. Anything at all that stimulates the immune system,-perfumes -even in fabric softener, etc, dyes you can find in candy or even drinks such as partial juices and childrens cereal, etc. do not take echinacea because it too stimulates the immune response- take that only if you are sick sick, like with a cold. I cant think of any more info at this time but trust me. we both have auto immune disease and have been without relapse for as i said 4 years now. AND NO PHARMACEUTICALS! good luck and keep in touch. taking care of yourself naturally is the best thing you can do for yourself and your family, and put you on the road to recovery.

Tarnaq wrote:

Could it possibly work for other people even though it didn't for you?

Fern wrote:

I have been on and off again with Avonex for a year and a half. At first I was feeling much better, and then had some really nasty side effects that I decided to stop injections, and was tested thru my Nuero. to see if I was building antiobodies agaisnt injections. I got the go ahead to continue with Avonex, but I feel so sick after the injections I loose anywhere from 2-3 days out of the week feeling like I am dying, is it worth it?? My family is scolding me becasue of the what if's, if I don't take the medicine, I am at a cross road in deciding which way to go, take my chances without or feel like crap and continue with medicine...