User Reviews for Copaxone subcutaneous

Self-injecting rather easy, but bee-sting like swelling and itching after injection, up to 2 hrs. Swelling itself can last up to 48 hrs. After a few weeks, developed mucous colitis. Severe back and hip pain. Flu-like symptoms.

copaxone has brought some stability to my life but r-r MS Still sucks!!

I researched DMD's prior to my diagnosis and chose Copaxone based on lack of side effects and that it would be easier to remember a daily shot. Also it was a very well tested medicaion. However I found I lost a ton of air and it became dry and brittle. I am a hair stylist and knew how to take care of my hair and nothing worked. I contiuned to get new sympoms and new leisons while taking this medication for 9 months. I have now switched to Tysabri and have been off Copaxone for 3 months. I have noticed an increase of new growth and quality of hair growing in. I also had issues towards the end of the injections of huge red painful welts the size of baseballs. useing Heat, ice and bendyrl did not help. I am certain this is a good DMD but it was not right for me. Read More Read Less

For me Copaxone very painful, that burned very much. Just had a very very bad time while on Copaxone.

after 24hrs. I get big lump and itching any suggestion I been son cop axone 1 month at first it did not do that

Been on Copaxone since 2007 and doing good.

Just want to point out, I use copaxone for MS (not recurring) and I haven't used anything else since it seems to work.

My start of finding out I had MS, I was having sciatica attacks back to back...my GP thought it may have been vascular since I do have PVD with 3 stents placed. But visit with the vasecular doctor and the symptoms I was having including bowel incontinence had me set up with a neurologist....from there after a 9 months did find out I had MS....from finally got to the brain scan...with 3 lesions noted and lots of inflammation....lumbar puncture came out ok? Then started in a study using Copaxone...did regain strength back in Right leg (one with sciatica attacks back to back!! Still feel tired all the time....but memory and gait better.Read More Read Less

The shots were slightly painful. The medicine caused me to get drug-induced hepatitis. Then I had to go for blood tests every 4 weeks to check levels. It is now 6 months later and I am still not on a new medication because of the high levels of liver enzymes.

I have been taking copaxone for almost 6 years and have had no relapses since (although my relapses have been minor with a long period of years in between). I have had no side effects associated with the medication. My only issue is a small lump that appears at the injection site for about 5 days. There has been no bruising or redness at injection sites.

I have been taking this medication for over 16 years. I would not change it for another drug. I do not want to fix something that is not broken. The first 5 years are definitely the worst but my symptoms have decreased dramatically concerning severity and longevity.

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.Read More Read Less

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.Read More Read Less

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. Read More Read Less

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.Read More Read Less

Was on Copaxone for 8 months thought everything was going well untill got MRI which showed up 4 new lesions and 2 older ones had got larger, strange thing is i have felt great the past 8 months. Next stiop Gilenya.

I was diagnosed with RRMS in 2009 and started with Avonex. I had horrible side-effects with Avonex so my doctor prescribed Copaxone. I have not had any relapes since and no new leasions have been found in my last MRI. I do not like the swelling, itching, and soreness that I get with the injections. I also do not like the bruising it leaves. I have tried heat pads and ice packs and neither seem to really work the best thing I have found that works for me is aspircream. It helps with the soreness and pain.Read More Read Less

I have been using Copaxone for about 8 months now. Couldn't not tell you if my lesions have slowed down because problems the clinic has yet to do another MRI lol. I have had problems with injection site reacions since the beginning and I do everything I am suppose to. Switched form auto-inject to manual and then back again because I can no longer withstand the needle. I am very slim and actually have lost even more weight, fat and muscle mass since starting these injections. My eyesight is not as good ( my eyes have been tested and there is no damage from the MS)and my eye doc is pretty sure it is the copaxone. Sure it is a good drug fro not having alot of side effects especially since I have Hep C therefore I can not take the others safely. If you are slim though the injections are awful and painful when you hit muscle because you do not have alot of body fat.Read More Read Less

I am on my third week of Copaxone so I really can't comment on the effectiveness yet. The way I look at it is I am doing everything medically possible to control my MS by being on a DMD. What I'd like to share though are the reactions I have experienced to this date. When I first started Copaxone, I experienced large welts and the shot was extremely painful. I was using a 6 setting. My arms seem to bother me the most as I am not the heaviest of women and have little fat on my arms. I find that if I go a little deeper in my legs (size 8), I get less of a skin reaction and barely a welt. It still stings and remains sore, but I don't get the lumps and welts I did when I used a 6. I'm about to try a 5 on my arms though, as I bruise easily there and my arm is sore for days after. Everyone is going to have to have a trial and error period to see what works best for them. I have no experienced the IPR yet with shortness of breath, heart racing, etc...knock on computer keys, but I know if I do what it's from and I should be ok within 10 mins. At first the shot is very scary, though you don't see it if you're using the auto-inject, but believe it or not within a few days it becomes part of your routine. Yeah, it hurts, but only for a few minutes. The best advice I can give is when you injected, put an ice pack on it for about 5 minutes, then get up and go about your normal routine. It helps you get your mind off of it. Hoping that it works, but am eagerly awaiting BG-12 to come out spring of nexy year. Read More Read Less