Copaxone

I did my 1st injection last night. SS nurse was concerned that my lack of body fat wouldn't allow me to use the Auto-ject,(down to 71#s) but we set it at 4, and I injected great. No immediate reaction. But woke around 4:00 this morning with a headache and neck ache.
Has anyone else had this reaction, and does it go away after you are on the Copaxone awhile?

Can't bear light.

Thanks,
Sheila

[Sumanadevii]

Same problem.  I gave up before the end of the week with Rebif.  I found it easier to inject myself.  Trust me on this.  Just do it two or three times and you will be a pro.

[twopack]

Injecting without the autoinjector devise probably is less traumatic if you have the manual dexterity and flexibility to do so.  It is certainly worth a try for at least some areas.

The head and neck pain aren't typical reactions from Copaxone.  Sensitivity to light makes this sound more like a migraine and the combo with neck pain might indicate a tension or cluster headache.  Have you had any of these before?  Of course any headache can make a person want to close out light and the world.

I'm afraid you'll have to persist a bit and see if a pattern develops.  I'd hate to see you give up on Copaxone after waiting so long for the opportunity to start a disease modifying treatment.

Good luck tonight.  I hope #2 is as smooth as the original.

Mary

[Deb61]

I agree with Mary --the headache and neck pain are probably not related to the Copaxone.  Waking up with a headache sounds like a migraine attack--especially with the light sensitivity.  I have migraines, but I've had them before starting Copaxone.  The ones that wake you up in the wee hours of the morning are absolutely the worst.  I hope you don't get another one.  Hmmm, the neck pain doesn't sound migrainish, though . . .  

I hope this doesn't happen again.  It's great news that you hadn't had any other reaction.  For a few weeks or even months, I had baseball-sized bumps that were warm to the touch after my injections.  I don't have any kind of reaction, now, though.

Best wishes tonight!
Deb

[yorkieville]

Hi, Sumana.

I sat in the dark for about 3 hours yesterday morning. When Rich got up, he made coffee, and after I had coffee, I started feeling better. The headache lingered awhile, and evenatually went away.

Last nights injection didn't give me a headache this morning.

I did great with the Auto-inject, set at 4.

Thanks,
Sheila

[yorkieville]

Hi, Mary.

Actually, I read that some of the side effects of Copaxone are headache.

I do get headaches, but this one was very different. I used to get migraines way back in my 20's, and this didn't feel like one.

No giving up here! You know I've waited far too long, to give up.

Last nights injection did not give me a headache. And it went very smooth, Thankfully, my nurse trained Rich, too, so he was able to point out a spot to inject into my left arm. My SS nurse explained to me how important it is to roate throguh 7 spots, and then the following week, make sure to inject 2" away from the 1st areas I've injected. She said if I inject in the same area, I will get indentations in my skin.

I have the manual dexterity to use the Auto-inject, but at first, my nurse was afraid I didn't have enough body fat. But, we found some. LOL

Sheila

[yorkieville]

Hi, Deb.

I don't feel it was a migraine. I used to get those in my 20's and they were horrendous!

I didn't get one this morning.

No lumps or bumps yet, either.

I am supposed to call SS today. I had shot them an e-mail yesterday, but missed their call.  I'm going to ask them about the headache.

Overall, I think I am going to do ok with the Copaxone. It would really help if I didn't weigh 71#s.

Thanks.
Sheila

[sllowe]

Sheila - I have nothing to add w/the copax headache - but just had to say outloud once again, "I'm so glad after all these years you are getting treatment :) " (((Hugs)))) -shell

[yorkieville]

Hi, shell!

Thank you so much!!! I am so happy to finally have treatment. It really has been a long time coming, hasn't it?

I spoke with a nurse at Shared Solutions for awhile this morning, and she said the headache wasn't from the Copaxone. She was really great!

As we were talking, I remembered something that had happened to me a few times-I would wake in the night, with unbearable pain in my neck, and struggle to sit up, and I couldn't turn my head. So, I would sit in the living room, until the muscles relaxed.

Also, I have been having headaches behind my eyes for quite some time, this one just happened to be really awful, and I associated it with my 1st Copaxone injection.

I know the Copaxone won't reverse the damage done, but just the thought that it will slow the progression is wonderful!

((((HUGS))))~Sheila