help with rebif and rebismart

Everyday living
1

I started on rebif last monday and was issued the rebismart. The MS nurse that day told me that the rebif can stay in this device for a week but the other cartridges have to stay in the fridge - simple!

However i’m starting of at the low dose of 8.8 gradually making my way up to 44mg, this means that the cartiridge is not empty for my injections this week, i was told to replace the rebif anyway today even though it is not empty as today would be the week up for it being in the rebismart. I rang the MS nurse today and she said that it was fine to continue with the cartridge i have in it as it is ok in the device for 2 weeks.

So now i have conflicting advice from two MS nurses can anyone else help and advise me?

Also one nurse told me the red blotches i was getting were normal but the one this morning said it was an allergic reaction and might have to change injections! The blotches are not hot, itchy or swollen.

Steph

2

Hey Stephanie - difficult but common when health care profs do not agree. It is fine out of the fridge for 2 weeks. I often call the rebismart help line for advice. When I injected my legs I got awful red marks about size of a 50p piece. Tummy and lower back fine - no marks. So now I don’t inject my legs any more. Good luck Min xx

3

Hey Stephanie - difficult but common when health care profs do not agree. It is fine out of the fridge for 2 weeks. I often call the rebismart help line for advice. When I injected my legs I got awful red marks about size of a 50p piece. Tummy and lower back fine - no marks. So now I don’t inject my legs any more. Good luck Min xx

4

I’ve been on Rebif for 12 years and still have huge red blotches. They shouldn’t itch or get hot - if they do, then it’s an infection. I’ve only had one in all that time and it was on my arm.
I inject my stomach, the back of my hips and my batwing areas on my arms. Never legs, as it’s too painful. It’s up to you - everyone is different, but that nurse is wrong. Red blotches and bruises after, are quite normal for Rebif - especially the 44 dose.

best wishes,

K

5

At one point I had 22 huge red blotches from Rebif! Not sore or itchy or anything - just there. It is perfectly normal - some people get them, some people don’t. The good news is that I get much smaller blotches now (1 year on) and not as often - I’ve got maybe 10 or so at the moment.

Rebif is fine out of the fridge for 2 weeks. The 8.8mcg cartridge lasts 2 weeks, so don’t throw it out until you finish it.

Karen x