Joni's Journal

Vibrant and motivated, Joni isn't going to let relapsing MS get in the way of her goals. Follow her story as she balances her life with her relapsing MS.

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This journal reflects the personal experience of one person and others can be different. It is best to contact your physician to discus what's best for you. Joni is an MS LifeLines Ambassador and has chosen to share her story with others living with MS. MS LifeLines and MS LifeLines Ambassadors are sponsored by EMD Serono and Pfizer.
Friday, October 30, 2009

Knowing It's OK To Ask for Help from Others - Part 2

As I mentioned, when I learned to ask for help it was such an enlightening moment for me that I decided to try it again.

I'm very fortunate to live very close to two of my friends, Julie and Kevin. As I mentioned earlier, I recently moved and of course was living out of boxes. It's okay to live like that for a little while, but at some point you just need to unpack. A large part of my move included donating items I was no longer using.

As I unpacked, the pile that needed to be taken to the donation center continued to grow. I could have loaded my car by myself, made the trip to the donation center and then unloaded the car by myself. However, it would have been an all-day event. Using my new found ability to ask for help, I asked Julie and Kevin for assistance. Of course they said "yes" and we were able to complete the task in only two hours.

It was extremely liberating to be able to ask for and accept help from others. I've definitely learned that I need to speak up and ask for help. Asking for help has not made me any less of an independent person.
Posted by: Joni, Friday, October 30, 2009
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This information is intended only for residents of the United States.

Important Safety Information

Rebif is used to treat relapsing forms of MS to decrease the frequency of relapses and delay the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS. Rebif is not approved for treatment of chronic progressive MS. Rebif is available in 22 mcg and 44 mcg prefilled, preassembled syringes and a titration pack by prescription only.

Before beginning treatment, patients should discuss with their doctor the potential benefits and risks associated with Rebif. Let your doctor know if you have a history of depression, seizures, liver disease, thyroid problems, or blood cell count or bleeding problems, or if you have had previous allergic reactions to medications. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Rebif and other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects. Talk to your doctor before you take any new medicines. Rebif is not recommended for women who are or plan to become pregnant.

Potential serious side effects of Rebif include depression, liver problems, risk to pregnancy, injection-site problems, and severe allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are rare and may be associated with difficulty in breathing and loss of consciousness, which require immediate medical attention.

The most common side effects with Rebif are injection-site reactions, flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches, tiredness), depression, abdominal pain, increased liver enzymes, and blood cell count decreases. Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms or feel sad, tired, hot or cold, or experience hives, rashes, bruising, yellowing of the skin, or a change in body weight (gain or loss).

Compared with Avonex in a clinical trial, side effects were generally similar despite the higher, more frequent dosing of Rebif. Differences included people taking Avonex had more flu-like symptoms than those taking Rebif. People taking Rebif had a greater number of injection-site reactions, elevated liver enzymes, and decreased white blood cell counts. Events that occurred more frequently with Rebif posttransition versus prior use of Avonex included injection-site disorders, hepatic function disorders, and white blood cell disorders.

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