update: have started on Copaxone now

[rothexl]

Dear all,

I have posted on this forum about the terrible side effects (depression) Avonex and Rebif have caused me- thank you again so much for helping me. It was also very important to  me to hear once more from someone who has real experience how I shouldn't have been started on any interferon to start with as I suffer from chronic recurrent depression. Quix, that finally gave me the courage to break free from my previous neurologist (who has been very nice in other respects)- and have luckily now found a neurologist who is completely focused on and specialised in treatment of MS.

It took two months after stopping the Rebif until I had recovered -and about two weeks later I started on Copaxone.
I was told to inject only half the provided dose as I'm quite tiny- and to leave out the arms altogether.
My copaxone nurse is in close contact with my neurologist- and I'm so relieved to finally not be completely alone in this anymore.

I'm injecting "manually" and so far (8 days) it has been going very well. Hurts for about 10 minutes, but that's absolutely doable. I have read the posts of people who developed skin problems about 3 weeks into treatment, so I'm cautious still, but I'm prepared to keep going even if that should happen and see if it gets better again over time.

Thank you to all of you who have given me support!

Take care all of you and hope you are well- or if not at the moment, going to feel much better again soon.

Rike

[rothexl]

Thank you so much for your post, Julie. I'm very aware of the fact that, although it's all pretty full on for me right now, there are so many people on this forum that have to deal with so much more and MUCH worse symptoms than I do so far and although they would have every reason to complain and whinge, they get on with life as well as possible. I am thinking of that, although I'm not a big posting person and I wish you all from the bottom of  my heart that each one of you is as well as they can possibly be.

Thanks for your good luck wishes,  now I'm really stocked up well on those- and sure it will help :)   Yes, I'm also so glad that there is an alternative to interferons, otherwise there would be only Tysabri left for me at this stage.

I'm glad to hear that you are doing so well on Copaxone!

I will definitely let you know how it is going,

Take care,

Rike

[rothexl]

Thanks for that Alex, every good wish helps :)

Take care, too, Rike

[rothexl]

Thank you for your good wishes, Pablo! I'm wishing you best of luck with you Copaxone start as well- and there's the autoinjector as well which you get with the Copaxone starter kit. Do also post how you are going after you've started, all the best for you and have a great trip,

Rike

[Sarahsmom46]

How very compassionate that you are wishing us all well while you are going through a new transition in medications.  

I have my fingers and even my toes crossed that the copaxone will work better for you.  I have been on it for one year and have very few complaints.  It doesn't make you depressed or flu symptoms as you already know and I think it is a kinder and gentler medication than what you have been on.  It is good we have a choice isn't it.  

Wishing you better injecting days ahead and please keep us updated on how it is going for you.  Take good care.

Julie

[HVAC]

I hope the Copaxone works for you.

Alex

[Pablo_Morphy]

Best of luck and keeps us posted!  I have decided to start Copaxone, but I will do it next month, after I return from a trip overseas.  I'm a bit anxious about injecting myself, though.  Hope everything works well for you.