Anyone on Copaxone?

[squeezybear]

Anyone on Copaxone?  Anyone having problems with it?  Blood counts up or down?

[jensequitur]

The welts are common with Copaxone.  They usually disappear after three months.  Mine were about the size of a baseball, red, swollen, and really itched!  I was having trouble, because I would scratch them while I was asleep, and they would get a blood blister.

I began using an ice pack before injection, which seemed to help a little.  

[BOK2Bjan]

I need some encouragement and hearing the good results some of you are having - I needed.  I am having a lot of trouble.  BIG TROUBLE. I started with just stinging for 20 minutes or so.  It stung really bad, but when over, I was OK. Then it got better as the first week went on.  I was very happy.  Then the other shoe dropped.  It started hurting more and more and then causing itching after and then lumps and then bigger lumps.  I had one injection (autoject on 6) hit a muscle in my right arm. I thought I would go through the roof.  My arm was out of commission for a day and sore for ever. I'll never do one where I did that one (it was inside the area that you're supposed to use).  Anyway, now I am getting huge (5" diam.) lumps/welts that are swollen, red, and hot, hot, hot.  They last so long, I have several at a time.  Copaxone keeps saying try this, try that.  I've tried everything!  I'm seeing my neuro this friday.  It was hard to convince the office I could come.  They said "but you're down for June_"  I don't think I ended up my usual sweet self, but I didn't realize I had to be bleeding to death to see my doctor.  I so hope something can be figured out.  Oh, and she said to go off the drug.  After all the difficulty convincing her there was a real problem - she said to stop the injections until the appointment.  I said - uh, I think I want her to see the effects it's having on me!  I'm not going to go in there and draw a picture! OK, I feel better letting off a little steam.  I'm tired.  Any suggestions?  Blessings, Jan

[squeezybear]

My blood platelet count is way down.  It should be 150-400 and mine is 41-79 (varies) I have been taken off the copaxone for a couple months to see if they go back up.  Time will tell.

[Heather3418]

What you have to say about Copaxone, gives me much hope.  I hope that I respond to the drug as well as you have.  Please tell me...do you have to have regular blood testing to make sure that the Copaxone has not lowered your blood counts?

Thanks,
Heather

[elza7]

I have been on copaxone for 10+ years.  the site reactions are a pain, but I find they are less with the autoject. and ice pack helps a lot.   The plaques that I had on my C-spine actually disappeared after a few years of treatment.  This is good because I was completely paralyzed from the neck down when they diagnosed me.  I have been happy with it.  Especially since it doesn't have the same immunosuppressant qualities of other meds.  Good luck!  I have had only 2 minor exacerbations (optic neuritis) over these 10 years if that says anything.  

E.

[Amyloo]

I am also on Copaxone; started with Heather at the same time.  It gets easier everytime; less welts and stinging.  I chose not to try interfeurons due to increased risk of side effects.  Haven't had any side effects at all, and feel good about helping myself stay healthier for the future.  Kinda stinks that it won't help immediate issues though.  Love, Amy

[MCBCON]

outside of hqting to poke myself, it seems be ok

[Heather3418]

I am on Copaxone.  I am not having any problems with it, but a slight stinging at the injection site.  As far as blood counts...regular blood work is not needed with Copaxone like some of the other disease modifying drugs.

Will be anxious to hear comments from others on Copaxone?

Heather