Anyone taking Betaseron?

[Zacksmomi]

My Neuro wants me to switch from Rebif to Betaseron.  I have been taking Rebif since March 09 and have had to do one round of Solu Medrol in May and will find out tomorrow if I have to do another.  I also have pretty bad injection site reactions which is why the Neuro wants the switch.  I guess Rebif has acid in the injection and it makes the site reactions worse?  
My question is, I am under the impression that Betaseron is not pre mixed and also that there is not an auto injector?
Is this correct? Do you find it is difficult to deal with taking your meds?
Right now the entire process for my Rebif takes about 3 min. (the pre icing/ heating and after treatment had no effect so I don't do it)
How long do you find it takes to take care of your injection with the Betaseron?

Thanks
D

[Mand125]

Hi there

I have been on Betaseron since August 2008, I have no side effects at all but I do get marks where I have injected, red marks about the size of a 5 cents. They last for months, literally! But they don't give me any trouble. I think I have said before that if I was younger and liked to wear strappy tops and shorts they might bother me.

I use an autoinjector. I was originally given the newest one, called the betaject lite, I couldn't really get the hang of it and asked for the older type called the betaject comfort. It is much easier to use.

Like Sherry said it only takes minutes to mix, the whole process takes me about 5 mins (includign putting everything away!

It is much more convenient to not have to refrigerate it.

I hope this helps
Mand

[LATW]

I am on my 3rd week of Betaseron after one year of Avonex.  This is heaven compared to Avonex.

I do not use the auto injector. I did not have one with Avonex and that was an IM.  

Betaseron takes no time at all. I do not ice. Do not have to...no pain. Mixing it is not a big deal.  I am being titrated.  I am on 1/2 does this week.

LA

[risnerrose]

I've been on Betaseron for six months.  I inject every two days with an auto-injector.  The mixing of the injection is "no big deal".  I probably spend no more than three minutes from start to finish.  Also, since the meds are not premixed, they do not have to be refrigerated . . . which is very nice.  Anything specific you want to know???

Sherry

[sllowe]

I hate the autoinjector. Mine are still red 5 days after too. You ever try it straight up?  

[Zacksmomi]

oh yes my reactions were really big, but then I figured out that I had the auto injector unwound too far (it had the right arrows showing so who knew) so they reactions improved greatly but still atleast the size of a quarter on my arms and even larger on my legs. My stomach and back side aren't usually too bad. my neuro saw one on my arm and flipped out.  It was 5 days old and still very read and even a little raised.  
He said they should not be that bad at all.
All I can do is try it I suppose.

[sllowe]

We have had a couple members on the betaseron.  Maybe they are lurking and will see this.

You can get the betaseron pre-filled now, and most all have an auto injector, but I'll check on that for you.

Are your site reactions bigger than a silver dollar? Red, hot, etc.?