Reviewer: SuzyQ, 45-54 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Patient)

Comment:
I have been taking this drug for 5 years. I feel it has worked exceptionally well. I have a hard time doing the injections cause it is hard to find a proper area for the injection but it is well worth it when the symptoms are minimal and mobility is good. My advice stay on the medication suck it up and do the injections cause it is worth it to slow the disease down. My cousin has MS as well she is ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I have been taking this drug for 5 years. I feel it has worked exceptionally well. I have a hard time doing the injections cause it is hard to find a proper area for the injection but it is well worth it when the symptoms are minimal and mobility is good. My advice stay on the medication suck it up and do the injections cause it is worth it to slow the disease down. My cousin has MS as well she is bed ridden and can only move her head. I look at her and feel bad cause i am walking around and she is stuck in bed. Good Luck to all of you and stay on the meds its really worth it.
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Reviewer: Emily, 25-34 Female on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)

Comment:
I took this medication for 10 days. It was my first choice because it sounded effective and the least harmful although I do not like using needles and cringe at the thought. The first day I took the medication I had a burning pain at the injection site, followed by a hard bruised welt that lasted a week. I continued using the medication (having my husband do the injections for me). I found each in ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I took this medication for 10 days. It was my first choice because it sounded effective and the least harmful although I do not like using needles and cringe at the thought. The first day I took the medication I had a burning pain at the injection site, followed by a hard bruised welt that lasted a week. I continued using the medication (having my husband do the injections for me). I found each injection to be painful and the icing pad only dulled the pain. I had bruises and welts on every site aside from my legs and belly. On the 7th day I noticed my back became slightly sore on one side only, right behind the shoulder blade and creeping up the neck. The next day the pain was worse but I continued injections. I became extremely depressed crying each day I was on the medication. On the 10th day my back (which had never given me any problems) was so sore and stiff I could not lift myself out of bed. The base of my neck felt tight and cramped and the pain did not go away with exercise or relaxation. I called Shared Solutions and they claimed I was having a relaspe. I disagreed, it was clearly from the medication. I felt insulted. I called my doctor and told told me to immediately stop taking the Copaxone. He gave me muscle relaxers to use. 10 days after stopping the medication I was physically and emotionally recovered. I have since then become pregnant and I am no longer taking medication for now. I have only experienced optic neuritis as a symptom. I plan on trying a different medication after I have my baby. I hope the next medication is easier on my body. I felt like the Copaxone was doing more harm than good.
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Reviewer: 25-34 Female

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Reviewer: Dreams008, 25-34 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
Well, I finished up my third month of Copaxone, and I know statistically it takes 6-12 months to become effective, but within the 3 months I have been on it, my symptoms are only getting worse and I'm showing more disability when it comes to walking and my right arm. After seeing my neurologist yesterday, we decided that moving me to Tysabri until BG-12 comes out is the best plan of action right ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
Well, I finished up my third month of Copaxone, and I know statistically it takes 6-12 months to become effective, but within the 3 months I have been on it, my symptoms are only getting worse and I'm showing more disability when it comes to walking and my right arm. After seeing my neurologist yesterday, we decided that moving me to Tysabri until BG-12 comes out is the best plan of action right now. He told me the Tysabri is a more effective drug, and pending the status of the JC virus test, he said if I'm negative, I may want to stay on it instead of switching to BG-12, which is scheduled to be approved by March 28,2013. He said if I am JC positive, that staying on it for a few months, I have a very small chance of developing PML. I know Copaxone takes some time to build up in your system, but I personally do not have the time to watch myself go downhill anymore within another 3 months. It's time to take action. Plus, I'm more than thrilled not having to "poke" myself every day. Countdown to BG-12. It's almost here. Until then, hoping Tysabri does the trick.
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Reviewer: Dreams008, 25-34 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
OK, well I am now on month 3 of Copaxone. I remember the first day, thinking how traumatized I was at the fact I had to use a needle every day, but now it's just another part of my daily routine. I am still welting up, but believe it or not, the pain does start to diminish and it really feels like a quick bee sting that stops hurting after about 5 minutes. Iceing the area after really helps and ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
OK, well I am now on month 3 of Copaxone. I remember the first day, thinking how traumatized I was at the fact I had to use a needle every day, but now it's just another part of my daily routine. I am still welting up, but believe it or not, the pain does start to diminish and it really feels like a quick bee sting that stops hurting after about 5 minutes. Iceing the area after really helps and trying to be calm and relaxed while giving it will make it easier as well. My arms are still the worse, as I don't have much fat on them, but like a good girl, continue doing them every week. I have found that the tops and outside of my thighs are the most painful and I develop HUGE welts that take weeks to subside. Though not one of the approved sites by Shared Solutions, I find the inside of the thighs works much better and rarely get a welt. Of course the stomach is easy too. I still can't comment on the effectiveness of this drug because I feel since starting it I have gone downhill and know it takes about 6 months to really build up in your system and take effect. My next MRI is in 3 months and it will be at that time when my doctor will be able to see if it's working or if another medicine is in order. He is strongly against interferons,, and hoping by that time BG-12 is released.
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