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"One day, one wonderful hour at a time."

Coni, MS LifeLines Ambassador

Living with RRMS since 2000

Taking Rebif® since 2002

Symptoms of MS

The course of MS is hard to predict. Symptoms may be constant. Or they may stop from time to time. Most people with MS have random patterns of attacks. Your doctor may call these attacks "relapses" or "exacerbations ."

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Attack:

Any worsening of old symptoms or appearance of a new one. It lasts for more than 24 hours in the absence of fever. And it disables you in some way.

Attacks may occur without warning. And they may be followed by a long or short period of complete or partial remission .

Remission:

When symptoms of MS may subside completely or partially for a period of time.

Not all people with MS have the same symptoms. They vary from person to person. The type of MS symptoms you experience depends on where the disease activity is happening. For example:

  • Disease activity in part of the brain may cause dizziness
  • Disease activity in the spinal cord may cause weakness
  • Disease activity on the optic nerve may cause blurred vision

The most common symptoms of MS include:

Attacks can range from mild to severe. They can be hard to identify.

For instance, you may have tingling in your fingers. You may think it is just part of living with MS. But it might be a mild attack.

Keep track of any symptoms or attacks that occur. Keep track of how you are feeling. This may help you. And it may allow your doctor to follow your disease.

Keeping track may also show how well your medicine is working.

If you are concerned about your symptoms in any way, you should tell your doctor. Write them down. Track them in your journal or notebook and make sure to note when they happened and for how long. You may have had a relapse. Use your notes the next time you speak to your doctor to help you accurately describe your symptoms.

When to call someone about your symptoms

You should ask your health care provider about when it is important for you to call. Some reasons to call may include:

  • If you experience loss of vision or blurry vision
  • If you have an abrupt change in bowel or bladder function
  • If you think you have a urinary tract infection
  • If you have feelings of depression or thoughts of hurting yourself
  • Any time you are concerned about a symptom or feeling

This is not a complete list. Remember to check with your health care provider about when you should call.

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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. 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 of EMD Serono, Inc. or its affiliates.

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

Copyright 2008 EMD Serono, Inc. All rights reserved.