Medication Options: Injectable Medications


Medication Options: Injectable Medications

Injectable medications were the first treatment options to be approved for multiple sclerosis, with Betaseron being the first in this category to be approved in 1993. Since then, numerous other treatments have entered the picture, including many other injectable, infusion and oral medications. The primary role of each of these injectable medications is to target inflammation in the central nervous system. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.

Interferons

Interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Rebif), peginterferon beta-1a (Plegridy), and interferon beta-1b (Betaseron) are all forms of injectable drugs that help reduce symptoms of relapsing remitting MS and progressive relapsing MS. It is thought that proteins in these drugs keep certain white blood cells that can damage your myelin from entering your central nervous system. In turn, this prevention would help slow the damage these cells create and would help prevent the number of future relapses you have. All of these medications have a different injection schedule. Avonex is injected one time a week. Betaseron is injected every other day. Extavia is injected every other day. Rebif is injected three times a week and Plegridy is injected every two weeks. These injections can be made on the back of your arm, or thigh, and some can be injected into the stomach and lower back as well. Injection sites should be rotated daily.
These medications come with their fair share of side effects unfortunately. The biggest side effects for interferon meds are flu like symptoms, such as fatigue, chills, fever, muscle aches and sweating. The area where are you inject may also become swollen, red and painful. Some individuals report having trouble with their mood as well. Feeling sad, anxious, irritable, having trouble concentrating and having difficulty sleeping have all been reported. (Why can’t any of the side effects be good? Why can’t one give you happiness?)

Glatiramer Acetate (Copaxone)

Copaxone is a man-made substance that is made to resemble the basic protein of natural myelin. It’s supposed to work because your body will start to attack the medication, instead of the actual myelin. It’s used to treat relapsing remitting and progressive relapsing forms of MS. For years, you would have to inject yourself every day when taking Copaxone. In 2014 the FDA approved a higher dose version where injections are needed only three times a week, yay. You can inject Copaxone into your upper arm, stomach, lower back or upper thigh and sites should be rotated daily.
One of the major side effects of Copaxone is the injection site reaction’s. These can be anything thing from pain to a serious reaction. Some of the more common reactions are pain, redness, swelling and blisters. Another common reaction is permanent loss of fat tissue and skin tissue death at the injection site. One of the biggest reactions is the immediate injection site reaction that makes you feel like you’re about to pass out and die. This reaction is characterized by chest pain, fast heart rate, flushing, shortness of breath, throat construction and just a general feeling of terror. Thankfully, these symptoms do go away (somewhat quickly).
When I was on Copaxone, I struggled with the side effects. After every injection, the injection site would become swollen, warm and painful. I also experienced significant skin and fat tissue break down and now I have indents everywhere! My ultimate reaction was when I experienced the dreaded immediate injection site reaction and thought I was going to die in my boyfriends room. I knew what was happening cognitively, but I felt like I was going to pass out and vomit all at the same time. He freaked out as well, and brought me to the ER. That was the end of Copaxone. 

Daclizumab (Zinbryta)

Zinbryta is a monoclonal antibody that affects the immune system. Monoclonal antibodies are made to target and destroy only certain cells in the body, and this may help protect healthy cells in the body from damage. Zinbryta is usually reserved for use once several other medications have failed. This is a once a month injection that is given just under the skin, like Copaxone. Zinbryta can have MAJOR side effects on the liver, and therefore constant monitoring via blood tests is necessary when taking this medication.

Having to inject your medication is not fun. On top of making you feel like you have the flu and are a swollen lump, piercing your skin on the reg can lead to severe feelings of resentment towards your disease. (At least it did for me.) Finding a medication that works for you 1. because it keeps relapses at bay, but 2. works with your life, is key.

I’M ALISSA!

I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

follow along on Instagram:

This is what came through during my meditation this morning.

I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately..
That I’m not doing enough..
That progress isn’t happening fast enough..

But that’s a lie.
I’m right where I should be.

I needed this message today… maybe you do too?

This is what came through during my meditation this morning.

I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately..
That I’m not doing enough..
That progress isn’t happening fast enough..

But that’s a lie.
I’m right where I should be.

I needed this message today… maybe you do too?
...

14 4
This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself 
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are. 

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!

This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!
...

21 5
You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.

You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.
...

27 4
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year. 
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: 

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here:

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
...

14 0
Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!

Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!
...

31 3
It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/ 

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!

It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!
...

33 15
If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!!

If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!!
...

32 2
This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!

This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!
...

22 0
This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!

This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!
...

38 2
We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!

We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!
...

16 1
There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️

There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️
...

32 9

As Featured In:

© LISSMS 2023 | Powered By TheDevQ

0
Your Cart
Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
Calculate Shipping
Apply Coupon