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Multiple Sclerosis - MS LifeLines

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

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"The best piece of advice that I've received to manage my MS is to take care of myself."

Shiela, MS LifeLines Ambassador

Living with RRMS

Depression

Depression or Mood Swings

MS In Balance Local Seminars

MS in BalanceSM is a program designed to help you learn about managing your MS. At these exciting events you will:

  • Learn about MS from experienced physicians
  • Meet others with similar life experiences
  • Hear from MS LifeLines® Ambassadors about positive living strategies

Find a Seminar Near You

Depression is a widespread problem, occurring not just in people who have MS. It's important to understand that depression is a term used broadly when it comes to people with MS. It is often used to describe a wide range of emotions, from feeling down for a few hours one day to clinical depression, which may last for months. People with MS, as well as their friends and family, need to know that depression, in whatever form, is common.

Depression does not mean that you are "weak." You should not feel ashamed about being depressed or feel the need to hide it. You cannot control or prevent depression.

We still do not fully understand the nature of depression in MS. But, in recent years, we have learned much about it:

  • Stress is a major factor in depression. The stress of dealing with a diagnosis of a chronic disease and the possibility of disability can bring on depression.
  • The disease process of MS may cause depression. If MS damages areas of the brain that are involved in emotional expression and control, a variety of behavioral changes can result, including depression.
  • Depression may also be associated with MS-related changes that occur in the immune or neuroendocrine systems.
  • Depression can also be a side effect of some medications.

People with MS often go through a period of grieving. They may grieve the losses they experience due to MS, such as walking or working. This mourning may look like depression. Grief eventually goes away on its own. So, it's important to recognize the differences between mild, everyday "depression"; grief; and clinical depression. Clinical depression is a serious condition that can last from at least 2 weeks to several months. It produces flare-ups known as "episodes."

Symptoms of a major depressive episode

  • Sadness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities
  • Loss of appetite or increase in appetite
  • Sleep disturbances, either insomnia or excessive sleeping
  • Agitation or slowing in behavior
  • Fatigue (feelings of tiredness)
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Problems with thinking or concentration
  • Persistent thoughts of death or suicide

Dealing with depression

Depression can be diagnosed only by a health care professional. Therapy or medication may be needed. A health care professional can treat the condition and prevent an even deeper depression that is harder to treat. It may be necessary to try different medications and different doses before an effective medication, or combination of medications, is found. If you suspect you are suffering from depression, please talk with your health care provider. He or she can get you the help you need.

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.

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. 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 and risk of suicide, 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, side effects were generally similar despite the higher, more frequent dosing of Rebif. Differences included people taking Avonex had more flulike 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; these events also occurred more frequently with Rebif posttransition versus prior use of Avonex.

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 visit www.mslifelines.com or 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 2010 EMD Serono, Inc. All rights reserved.