Is it normal to experience anxiety over shots? I don't give myself my shot, my husband does. I have had a lot of side effects with the flu like symptoms but after 7 weeks my Neuro told me to try Aleve which I did, and it seemed better the first week. The second week it was better but still not great. I am finding that I have anxiety all day the day of my shot. I notice that I have small bouts of anxiety throughout the week out of the blue, I don't know if that is MS, medication, or what. I am wondering if this is normal or if I should consider getting on some anti-anxiety medication. I really don't want to take any more medications than I need to, I hate popping pills. What do you think?
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7/28/09 11:16am
7/30/09 4:22pm
I suffer from anxiety attacks also. I have had MS for around 14 years now and in the beginning the first thing I did was change from Avonex to a non-interferon drug Copaxone. That helped. Later on I took anti-depressants and that helped. I still suffer a little from anxiety attacks, especially in social situations where I feel uncomfortable, but I have practiced yoga and breathing and now am able to subdue the fear.
Good luck - I find it to be one of the most difficult areas of MS to deal with.
7/30/09 5:33pm
Thank you for your feedback. I have been doing Yoga for a few months now and just started Tai Chi 3 weeks ago, it has helped some. I find my anxiety passes but it is a different feeling then I have ever had before. I am usually not uncomfortable when it happens it just comes on out of no where. But my anxiety the day of my shot, I know if caused by the possibility of getting sick for a day which I can't stand. I am told it goes away for some people but other's it may not. I don't want to take Copaxone as it is a daily shot and I think it will not only remind me daily of my MS but I am also busy and I worry I would forget to take it often. Thanks again.
8/ 3/09 8:32am
You are right that a daily shot is in the beginning is a little daunting and there are other downsides, like lumpy skin at the injection sites, but having comfort in the way that you feel generally makes it worth the effort for me. I am on a daily routine. I find that taking my shot after I eat dinner helps me to remember since food and medicine now go together, plus since I normally relax after dinner, any side effects are minimized.
Hang in there. It does get easier. You should talk with your doc. No need to be sick.
7/31/09 1:42pm
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I hope your anxiety improves. I tried stopping for a few weeks and ended up in a wheelchair in the hospital with worse eyesight than before. My eyesight still has not improved. It's not worth it. Good luck to you and take care. A Pill soon! Just hold on a bit longer...I know I am.<!--EndFragment-->
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By Jazzy74— Last Modified: 12/25/10, First Published: 07/27/09
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Good luck with your shots and please don't let me scare you. I have heard many positive things about this drug and that is why I take it. I just happen to be one of those people that is reacting differently to it. A lot of people have no reactions or can take Advil and they are fine. Again, good luck to you and your treatment!