Hey all, I am due to start on Rebif in the new year. Had my first delivery from Bupa Home Healthcare yesterday. Overwhelmed at how much ‘stuff’ was delivered! Huuuuuuuge box! Booked in for training on how to use the Rebismart on 3rd January 2014. Soooo nervous. Any1 else in the same situation? Does it take ages to get used to self injecting and using the device? Is it painful? Please be honest. Also been advised symptoms will be exaggerated and to expect flu like symptoms during the first six months!! :-((x Grateful for any Info - Thank you in advance. Tracey
Hey Tracey, Yes I was just so overwhelmed by the prospect of injecting myself. What an abnormal thing to do!!! I too am on rebif with a rebismart. And seriously it is just SO EASY. The rebismart guides you through the process. Yes it does sting a little but nothing major. Think yourself luck you’re not diabetic - you’re not are you? As they might have to inject several times a day. Yes there is loads of stuff. One bit of advice is to hide it all away so you don’t have to face it every time you go to the bathroom. Side effects- not necessarily - I don’t usually get any. Occasionally I might feel a bit rough. Flu like symptoms for first 6 months codswallop- you might get them but then again you might be lucky and not. If you do get them others manage it successfully with paracetamol. Exaggerated symptoms don’t know what all that’s about. Who’s been telling you this stuff? You’ll be fine don’t worry. It’s dead easy - side effects not compulsory but only maybe. GOOD LUCK Min Xx
Hi. I have been on rebif since May … I have lately had some odd site reactions but this last week or so these have gone. I have had practically no side effects. No flu like symptoms, experienced a weekly (Wednesday) headache two months in which came every week for about three months and now occasionally get a headache but I can cope with that. Rarely take any painkillers for them as have to be honest they don’t touch it… I actually get more benefit from the herbal forehead! It’s soothing! Honestly don’t worry, you’ll soon get used to it. I do often draw blood and it does sting but its seconds and is better than a relapse so I can put up with it. Good luck hun xxxx
Just for record no issues with being a type 1 diabetic and injecting with Rebif.
Well I’ve never had any site reactions only a mild bee sting redness for 24 hours when I was on copaxone, never had lumpy bits unlike others.
Hi Rag Doll 
I’m in a similar situation. I am starting Copaxone (the daily injections) in the new year. Not overly thrilled about injecting daily and the common side affects alot of people seem to report but the up points if it helps are too much to ignore. I wish you the best of luck for starting yours - we will be fine, just learning something new isnt it.
Zazzy xx
I’ve been on rebif since April and did get flu like things for a wee while but now it’s just a part of life. It’s really easy to get used to so hopefully it will be the same for you Take care Baz
Hi, I’ve been on Rebif since 2000. The Rebismart is really easy to use and injecting becomes 100 times easier after the first one. I was terrified, but just went for it and realised that it was the concept of injecting myself that was scary.
I never had flu-like symptoms and I’ve done really well on it, with no progression and I know that I’m very lucky. You may be too…
It takes about 4-6 months to really kick in. I had 8 relapses in the year of diagnosis. Now I have relapses about every 3 years. I really hope it works well.
best wishes,
K
Hi - I can relate as I’m about to start on Rebif in the new year (I chickened out of Tysabri). All the gubbins is due for delivery in the New Year and I’m to ring my MS Nurse when the stuff arrives and she’ll walk me through the first injection. Not looking forward to it, as I hate, hate, hate needles, but they’re providing a Rebismart which will do most of it for me… and I guess I’ll have to woman-up and put up with being jabbed all over the shop. To be honest I’m waiting for the new drug Lemtrada/Campath to come online in 2014 which you can take in tablet form and has good write ups - just depends on NICE approval now, and sweet talking my consultant into prescribing it for me…
Hi all, Thank you so much for the positive responses to my post. Definitely a confidence boost. Still apprehensive but reassured from reading all of the above. Many thanks. Hope every1 had a good christmas. x