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Multiple Sclerosis - MS LifeLines

An educational and supportive community for people living with multiple sclerosis.

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"I learned to see life in a different way."

Dave, MS LifeLines Ambassador

Living with RRMS since 1998

Taking Rebif® since 2003

Living Well with MS

1. What is your favorite part of the holidays?

2. What's your favorite way to reduce stress?

Become a member of MS LifeLines!

We want to get to know you! Join MS LifeLines and take our brief survey*, which will help us understand what's important to you. When you complete the survey, we'll send you a handy multi-purpose opener as a token of our appreciation (while supplies last).

Learn More

*Survey is only open to people living with relapsing MS. Each participant may receive one multi-purpose opener while supplies last.

Relax! Here are some ways to reduce stress during the holidays

Between all the shopping, cooking, decorating, entertaining and traveling—holiday planning leaves little time for anything else, including finding time for you. But relax, there are ways to reduce holiday stress. The following tips may help you refocus priorities, so you can find time to relax and make the most of the holiday season.

  • Simplify shopping. Consider opting for gift cards to save time and stay on a budget and ordering them online to avoid the crowds.
  • Buy healthy, prepared foods so you can avoid the heat and stress of the kitchen.
  • Learn to say no. Give yourself permission to shorten or let go of some activities. Make cookies from a pre–made mix or buy them at the store. Forego social engagements where you feel you have to attend and save energy and time for social engagements that you want to attend.
  • Learn to say yes. Accept and ask for help.
  • Delegate! Ask family members for help with shopping, cooking, decorating and other tasks.
  • Rest. Don't overdo it. Rest when you need to; take naps and set aside time for yourself.

Don't take a holiday from therapy.

With all the bustle of the holidays, it can be easy to forget to take your disease–modifying drug (DMD), but it's important to maintain your treatment routine as directed by your doctor. If you need help remembering to take your DMD, you can sign up for text reminders, mark it off on a calendar or use a treatment journal. Also, try to make sure your schedule doesn't have you taking your DMD on a specific holiday, because you may forget with all the celebration taking place.

Learn more tips to help manage holiday stress by watching the webevent, Stressing Too Much, Eating Too Much: Tips to Manage Holiday Stress

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

Prescribing Information - Medication Guide

This information is intended only for residents of the United States.

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. Efficacy has been established in controlled studies up to 2 years in duration. Rebif is not approved for the treatment of chronic progressive multiple sclerosis. Rebif is available by prescription only in 22 mcg and 44 mcg pre-filled syringes and a titration pack.

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, and blood 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 breathing and loss of consciousness, which requires 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 immediately if you have any of these symptoms or feel sad, tired, hot or cold, 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 healthcare provider. For additional information about Rebif, please consult the Medication Guide or Prescribing Information 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.

Rebif, Rebiject II and MS LifeLines are registered trademarks and the Rebif logo is a trademark of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.

MS in Balance Your Life in Full is a service mark of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.

Copyright 2009 EMD Serono, Inc. All rights reserved.