Copaxone Reaction

[starryeyes1]

I'm wondering if anyone else has had reactions to Copaxone? I have been taking it for over 5 months and one night after taking it in the thigh, I experienced the tightness of the chest, difficulty breathing, and my face turned bright red and felt like it was going to split apart. My DR said to reduce it to 1/2 a shot the next night and I didn't have another problem for 3 more weeks when it happened again. Coincidently, both times it occured when the injection was in the thigh .I am worried I won't be able to continue this if it keeps happening. I don't want to switch. Any suggestions? I don't inject into my legs now to see if it makes a difference.

[JAthnos]

I've been on Copaxone for about 3-4 months now.  Besides the typical swelling/soreness at the needle site, I have been very happy w/ the med (no relapses since).  However, last night I had my first IPIR and it was awful.

I knew something was wrong immediately.  My wife actually gave me the injection on my right hip/buttock with an autoinjector.  I laid on my bed (face down) and felt tightness in my diaphram/chest.  I got up and told my wife, "something isn't right."  I walked over to our bathroom mirror and I was bright red and my left leg started to spasm.  I laid down (face down again) on the floor.  My wife was dialing 911 (which I thought was a great idea at the time).

About 5-8 minutes later (still lying on the floor, face down) the fire and paramedics arrived.  By that time I felt a lot better but was still not feeling well.  I declined a trip to the ER but did so w/ a blood pressure of 180/100 (kind of scary because I'm a 130/80 guy).  

I know I freaked out my wife and kids (and their friends) but am happy the incident didn't last too long (probably 30 min tops because of the paramedics getting involved).  

As much as it sounds crazy, it's nice to know I'm not on an island and I appreciate everyone's previous comments (I wish I read the blog beforehand).  My neurologist has instructed me not to take further doses until I meet with him...right now I'm on the fence on if I want continue with the Copaxone or try something else.

One last thought.  I really think that there is some merit to the Copaxone being injected into the blood stream via veinous transmission.  I'm pretty sure that was the case last night.

[jensequitur]

Hey, Missy - I've stopped taking Copaxone because the last IPIR I had was more of an allergic reaction than the previous ones.  I started itching all over, and my face got puffy and red.  I switched to Betaseron and haven't had any serious problems since.

[missy618]

Yes my husband called the Neuro on the spot  (love that he gives his cell to his patients so we can call anytime) he told him about the vomiting and hives….the hives weren’t the normal ones I get right after I take the injection, this one small ones all over my arms, legs, stomach, lower back all at the same time..wish I had taken a picture so I could see all the exact locations I have previously taken the shot.

[2BHappy179]

I have been on Copaxone for 18 month's and have already had 3 post injection reaction's..My neuro did tell me about them so I knew that there was a possibility they could happen and didn't freak out too much...

I have found that when I do my injection's in my stomach was when I had my reaction's but I also noticed blood as I pulled the needle out each time so must of hit a vein or blood vessel and maybe it could be the shock of Copaxone going straight into the blood stream..

I am still happy to take Copaxone as I know it is doing what it is supposed to do for me.
My reactions lasted for 10-15min each time but my body felt really drained for an hour or so later..

[jensequitur]

Hey, Missy - breaking out in hives is normal, but vomiting is not.  Did you tell your neuro you got nauseous?

[cainer]

ditto-  me too  lol- it is scarey but have been on it for gosh 3 or 4 years and doing fine!
got alittle gun shy a few times, but i imagine i hit a vein.