• Exciting news: New Smaller Needle!
• Tips to Ease the Stress of Injections
• Injection Facts: "Into the Muscle (IM)" vs. "Under the Skin (SC)"

MS advocate, Christine Vincik, is a mother of two, a self-employed business owner, community volunteer, and user of the smaller needle. With a busy daily schedule and several responsibilities, Chris does not have time for needle anxiety or fear. With a smaller needle, she is able to easily inject her weekly AVONEX therapy and get on with her week.

When asked about the smaller needle, Chris says, "Just seeing the smaller needle makes the injection process easier for me."

The smaller needle was developed in response to requests from AVONEX users, like Chris Vincik. The new needle is 20% thinner and shorter than the current needle, decreasing in size from 1.25" to 1".

You can get the smaller needle through a prescription from your physician. The current 1.25" needle remains the standard needle that currently comes packaged with your AVONEX therapy. The smaller needle will be a supplement to your AVONEX therapy, if you and your physician decide it is appropriate for you.

Biogen Idec believes the smaller needle will meet the needs of our AVONEX users and lead to several success stories similar to Chris's.

For any questions regarding the smaller needle, please call MS ActiveSource at 1-800-456-2255.

Please keep in mind that every individual experiences therapy with AVONEX differently and that your own experience with therapy may be different from that of Christine.

*You should ask your healthcare provider if the smaller needle is appropriate for you.

Most people feel conflicted about giving themselves injections. On the one hand, we want to reap the benefits of disease-modifying MS treatments; on the other hand, it's simply counterintuitive to poke yourself with a needle. Fortunately, there are several ways to make the experience less stressful. These tips may help decrease anxiety and increase your sense of control over the injection process.

• Talk to your doctor about your injection anxiety
• Take a pain reliever a few hours prior to injection
• Let the medication reach room temperature
• Be consistent about where and when you take your shot
• Have a loved one relieve you when you're having a bad day
• Inject in the evening to minimize side-effects
• Use a well-lit, warm and secure room
• Play soothing music and light a candle to help you relax
• Ice the injection area
• Use guided imagery to relax the area you're about to inject
• Let alcohol dry before injecting to reduce stinging
• Think about the benefits of the medication as it enters your body
• Use the smallest needle necessary for your body type as recommended by your physician
• Alternate injection sites
• Reward yourself afterward: have someone else fix dinner, indulge in your favorite dessert, watch a movie. You've earned it
• After each shot, take comfort in knowing that you've done something proactive to fight your MS

Allison Shadday is a therapist, speaker, author and MS advocate. She was diagnosed with MS in 1994 and has been using AVONEX therapy for 10 years. Allison is the author of "MS and Your Feelings: Handling the Ups and Downs of Multiple Sclerosis," available in bookstores this Fall.

AVONEX remains the only MS therapy that is delivered by an injection into the muscle (IM) instead of under the skin (SC). There are several positive features of IM injections that are not typical of SC injections.

LOW Occurrence of Injection-Site Reactions (ISRs)

Injection-Site reactions typically include swelling, redness, discoloration, or pain. In rare cases, ISRs may lead to skin necrosis [skin death]. In clinical studies, AVONEX showed a low incidence of injection-site reactions (3%), pain (8%), and redness (6%).

FREEDOM to wear what you want, when you want

With a low occurrence of ISRs, people on AVONEX may not have to worry about wearing clothing that covers their injection site, or other situations where injection-site reactions might be visible and embarrassing.

CONVENIENCE of a once per week Injection

AVONEX is the only IM injection therapy available for MS. You only need to inject AVONEX ONCE per week. Other MS therapies require SC injections that must be administered 3-7 times per week.