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.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010

It’s the Little MS Things

So when it comes to having bladder issues, especially the frequency in which I go, I have two strikes against me. First, I’m woman — I’ve been told by men that this is why they dislike doing road trips with women — and second, I have MS. Not to mention that from the time I start work until the end of the day there is always a bottle of water in reach. So when it comes to frequency of using the bathroom, my normal is what other people might call “excessive.”

For my co-workers and my patients, this could be an issue, because as a pharmacist, I have to check everything that goes out of the pharmacy. However, the people I work with and I have decided to make it a game and find ways to laugh about it.

To start with, one of my interns started to try putting me on restriction. He would make these little tickets and depending on how long I was there would give me a stack at the beginning of the day. I had to turn in a ticket every time I went to the bathroom. Soon everyone was in on it and throughout any given day, would check to see how many tickets I had left. It evolved to be not only about me and my bladder but we started using this method with others for habits that they had. For example one girl is constantly saying, “Whatever!” So we decided she could have one ticket for every hour she is working. So a six hour shift would net her 6 tickets, and we would laugh at how soon we thought she would run out. Would it be in the first 2 hours or maybe 3? I love that everyone was so understanding about what I go through on a daily basis. Even more, I love that they found a way to adapt it to themselves and turn it into something we can all have fun with.

Through them I’ve learned that you can make every situation fun, it’s all about your perspective and willingness to laugh at yourself.

Posted by: joni, September 1, 2010
Return to Relapsing MS Treatment

Indication

  • 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.

Important Safety Information

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.
  • 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.
  • 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 and risk of suicide
  • Liver problems
  • Risk to pregnancy
  • Injection-site problems
  • 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
  • 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).

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

This information is not intended to replace discussions with your doctor. For additional information about Rebif, please consult the Prescribing Information and Medication Guide and talk to your doctor. You can also call toll-free 1-877-44-REBIF (1-877-447-3243). Rebif is available by prescription only.

MS LifeLines is an educational support service for people living with MS and their families. MS LifeLines and MS LifeLines Ambassadors are sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Speakers and MS LifeLines Ambassadors who participate in Talk MS or in live events are sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Rebif, Rebiject II and MS LifeLines are registered trademarks and the Rebif logo is a trademark of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.

Brought to you by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc, the co-marketers of Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) in the US.
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Prescribing Information (PDF) - Medication Guide (PDF)

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