COPAXONE

[kitten o]

HELLO ALL,
CAN YOU TELL ME HOW LONG BEFORE I NO MY COPAXONE IS WORKIN?.
I HAVE BEEN ON IT FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS.
I GO FOR ANOTHER MRI OF THE BRAIN AND C-SPINE ON SUNDAY.
I WILL HAVE TO RESULTS ON TUESDAY.
ALSO DO I HAVE TO TAKE IT THE SAME TIME EVERYDAY?
DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENT IF I AM LATE?
THANKS YOU ALL  KITTEN

[kitten o]

THANKS YOU HAVE BEEN A BIG HELP
GUESS I HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS ****,
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUER HELP.
HOPE ALL OF U R DOING WELL.   KITTEN

[metabolicwreck]

I'm still here.  Have some major upheavals going on in my other life, so I just check in and lurk a little every few days.

Had an interesting episode Sunday morning--had to push a chair into the bathroom so I could sit down while I brushed my teeth, etc.  Then when I got done, I went back to bed. Stayed there for a couple of hours, and then I was okay.I did get a little tired the day before, but nothing like that.  I was just glad it wasn't a work day!

Hope you're feeling better.  I know everyone on the forum depends on you a lot to help them dig through all the medical aspects of MS, and are pretty lost when you're out of commission!  Take care,
The Wreck

[Quixotic1]

So good to see you!  What's  happening?  Quix

[metabolicwreck]

Gee, I thought I was a relative newcomer to all things MS-related, but I guess I'm an old-timer!  I've been on Copaxone for a little over a year.  I'll share with you the things I've been told, from a variety of sources.

Definitely leave the medication out of the refrigerator for awhile prior to injection.  I take out the ones attached together (5 or 6), and when I use the last one, a get out another batch.  Since Copaxone can be left out of the refrigerator for 30 days, that way there's always some ready.

I have developed some "lumps" where I've injected.  I was told not to apply ice after injecting, but to apply heat, because it helped the medication disperse.  Originally, I was told to apply heat prior to the injection, and then ice afterwards, but the folks at Shared Solutions said I was leaving the ice on too long, and that contributed to the lumps.

Sorry to say, the pain has not gone away.  When I started applying heat prior to the shot, it helped, but it never has entirely gone away. I've discovered that it also burns if it gets on my skin.  So, if any leaks back out after the injection, I'm quick to wipe it off with a damp cloth. I've had people tell me that it eventially quits hurting, but I'm still waiting...

As for whether it's working:  I listened to a teleconference last week where they said, if relapses are minimized, and your MRI is stable, then the medication is working.  That applies to all the platform drugs.  The don't make you get better, they keep you from getting worse.  My husband doesn't think that it's eally helping me, because I am developing a few more symptoms.  But I figure, either I would be a lot worse off without it, or I have a progressive type.  Or, maybe I'm just a klutz!  I have had that problem before. My last MRI was basically unchanged, so that's good.

Oops--time to go get my shot out of the way so I can fix dinner.

Good luck to both of you!

The Wreck

[kitten o]

THANKS , I HAVE BEEN LEAVING THEM OUT.
MY PROLBEM IS I HAVE NO FAT, LOL
BUT I GUESS THAT IS A GOOD THING. THANKS AGAIN   KITT

[karzme]

I found out from Shared Solutions nurse to keep it out for a day or do. Just get a couiple out at a time and leave out before injecting. Adjust the depth of needle according to amount of fat you have. I found that keeping it out longer, makes it not hurt when injecting. Also ice spot for 2 mins b4 injecting. Don't ice spot for 5 mins, will sting. Injecting ones self is a miss and hit process. Try this and see if it helps. Karina

[kitten o]

I HAVE BEEN DX WITH ON AND MS

[kitten o]

I AM NOT SURE, HAVE BEEN HAVING EYE PAIN AND BEEN VERY WEAK.
HAVE NOT MOVED FROM MY BED, MY LEFT EYE HAS PAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME. AND I DO HAVE ON IN BOTH EYES.
I WAS SURPOSE TO GO FOR MRI ON BRAIN AND C-SPINE TOMORROW
BUT THEY CANCELLED DUE TO NO CONTRAST.HOT S-IT HUH.
KITTEN

[grannyhotwheels]

YOUR WELCOME TO SOME OF MY FAT.  I'M JUST A NICE PERSON THAT WAY.LOL  HAVE YOU HAD ANY RELAPSES SINCE STARTING THE COPAXONE?  I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO TELL, BECAUSE COPAXONES JOB IS TO KEEP YOU FROM HAVING  RELAPSES OR AT LEAST NOT AS MANY.  BEST OF LUCK.

I'LL BE PRAYING
CAROL

[kitten o]

HELP MY SHOTS  S--CK WHAT CAN I DO TO EAZE PAIN?
I AM VERY THIN AND HAVE NO FAT THE MOST PAINFUL AREAS ARE  IN MY ARMS AND LEGS. I TAKE COPAXONE.

[kitten o]

I AM ON IT FOR 3 MONTHS, I HAVE THE AUTO INJECT ALSO.
I LIKE IT TOO. STILL BURNS ALITTLE THROUGH. I WAS DX IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR.
ALSO HAVE ON.  THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY.
I WILL BE IN TOUCH, I AM ALWAYS READING ALL THE POSTS.
KITTEN

[karzme]

Hi there. How long have you been on Copaxone? I've been on it for a month now. I like it. I have auto- ject, so is easier, don't have to see needle. You don't have to take it same time everyday. You choose the time. You know it's working, when you don't have as many relapses, so I've been told.

Let us know on your neew MRI. How long have you had MS? They will probably compare new MRI to old one and can tell if it is working also. Don't know if this helps you or not. Karina