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Starting Copaxone
So I am starting Copaxone before going on vacation (following my Neuro's advice, who thinks it's just better to err on the side of precaution). I have read/heard a few tips regarding the injection to avoid pain/lumps. Any other tips anybody would like to share? Also, I am taking the medicine with me for about 8 weeks of travel. Anybody would like to share trips as to how to travel with the medicine/customs/etc.?
Thanks for everything!!!!
Pablo
Thanks for everything!!!!
Pablo
These tips are really useful. I hadn't thought about sunlight, and I am going to my hometown, which has sun 95% of the year, and where the average temperature year-round is 97 F (when it drops to 88 F in December they call it 'the icy season'). I will use some sunscreen just in case, it never hurts. Re the trip, I am a bit worried about possible side effects while on vacation/work, but I guess everything should be fine. Fingers crossed.
My DH and I are debating on a vacation destination and the question about Copaxone and sunlight prompted me to call Shared Solutions just now.
According to all of their literature and research, patients on Copaxone are NOT sun-sensitive. There are some drugs that warn you to stay out of the sun, but Copaxone is not one of them.
I hope that little bit of information is useful.
-L
According to all of their literature and research, patients on Copaxone are NOT sun-sensitive. There are some drugs that warn you to stay out of the sun, but Copaxone is not one of them.
I hope that little bit of information is useful.
-L
Hi
I have quit Copaxone and moved on to Rebif (hoping to return to Copaxone soon) I was on The Copaxone for two major trips. I went to Egypt, Greece and Turkey and then on a two week cruise to Hawaii.
My suggestion is to carry everything with you in your carry-on. I put two of the ice packs in gallon size plastic bags along with the medication. I was told that that wasn't actually necessary but I felt better doing it. I also packed my most recent medical records and such just in case I ran into trouble.
I used a water bottle with screw on cap to dispose of needles when necessary because I didn't know what else to do with them. I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I carried that water bottle full of used needles around with me in a back pack and then threw it in a public trash can somewhere in Turkey. I was to embarrassed to try and break through the language barrier and just ask the hotel clerk for assistance.
Carrying the ice pack with me made it easy to use after the injection and most hotels have little refrigerators in the room if not the front desk should be able to help you. I I never was stopped or even questioned about the meds. I think most airports are used to travelers carrying such things with them these days.
The most important thing I can tell you about traveling on Copaxone is to be sure to rotate injection areas as directed. Try to plan it so you are using your stomach area before a long flight (I made the mistake of using my thigh and it drove me crazy all the way to Athens!)
Have a great trip! Life is wonderful and ours to enjoy!- Jaegergirl
I have quit Copaxone and moved on to Rebif (hoping to return to Copaxone soon) I was on The Copaxone for two major trips. I went to Egypt, Greece and Turkey and then on a two week cruise to Hawaii.
My suggestion is to carry everything with you in your carry-on. I put two of the ice packs in gallon size plastic bags along with the medication. I was told that that wasn't actually necessary but I felt better doing it. I also packed my most recent medical records and such just in case I ran into trouble.
I used a water bottle with screw on cap to dispose of needles when necessary because I didn't know what else to do with them. I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I carried that water bottle full of used needles around with me in a back pack and then threw it in a public trash can somewhere in Turkey. I was to embarrassed to try and break through the language barrier and just ask the hotel clerk for assistance.
Carrying the ice pack with me made it easy to use after the injection and most hotels have little refrigerators in the room if not the front desk should be able to help you. I I never was stopped or even questioned about the meds. I think most airports are used to travelers carrying such things with them these days.
The most important thing I can tell you about traveling on Copaxone is to be sure to rotate injection areas as directed. Try to plan it so you are using your stomach area before a long flight (I made the mistake of using my thigh and it drove me crazy all the way to Athens!)
Have a great trip! Life is wonderful and ours to enjoy!- Jaegergirl
I would definitely be talking to shared solutions about the travel plans. If I remember correctly it is stable out of the refrigerator, up to 30 days. It can't be frozen or overheated - which means you need to have it with you in your carry on luggage- the luggage compartment would be out of the temp range.
Be sure that all of your drugs are in their original bottles/cases and clearly marked with your prescriptions. This is important.
You will also want to take a backup list of meds and information in case something happens and you need to get more, like a volcano erupting and stranding you for additional time - it happened to a person here who was with her mom who is an MS patient. - she ran out of all her meds a week before they could come home. It wasn't pretty even though they were stuck in southern France.
Take your computer and we will be just a keystroke away if you encounter problems.
Lulu
Be sure that all of your drugs are in their original bottles/cases and clearly marked with your prescriptions. This is important.
You will also want to take a backup list of meds and information in case something happens and you need to get more, like a volcano erupting and stranding you for additional time - it happened to a person here who was with her mom who is an MS patient. - she ran out of all her meds a week before they could come home. It wasn't pretty even though they were stuck in southern France.
Take your computer and we will be just a keystroke away if you encounter problems.
Lulu
I'm on Avonex so I don't have personal experience with Copaxone, but I know there are plenty of others on the forum that can advise you on that.
As for traveling, I use gel-pack ice in a small cooler in my carry-on. That will be good for several hours. Make sure that you'll be able to re-freeze it before your next travels; some hotels don't have freezers for guests. The last resort I stayed in put the ice pack in the fridge instead of freezer, but they found another one for me that was frozen.
It can be good to tell the screeners ahead of time that you have it with you. Some airports have no problems, others will search your carry-on, check for explosive residue. I haven't travelled out of the country since diagnosis, but it might be helpful to have a prescription or note from your doctor; that's what I did when I first traveled with my allergy vials and syringes.
As for traveling, I use gel-pack ice in a small cooler in my carry-on. That will be good for several hours. Make sure that you'll be able to re-freeze it before your next travels; some hotels don't have freezers for guests. The last resort I stayed in put the ice pack in the fridge instead of freezer, but they found another one for me that was frozen.
It can be good to tell the screeners ahead of time that you have it with you. Some airports have no problems, others will search your carry-on, check for explosive residue. I haven't travelled out of the country since diagnosis, but it might be helpful to have a prescription or note from your doctor; that's what I did when I first traveled with my allergy vials and syringes.
It is really trial and error with autoinjector depth. For 4 worked.
One main thing never have your autoinjector on a high setting with your arm. I accidentally got my ulnar nerve because I did not check my injector and the setting had moved to 10. The pain was not fun.
If one day all your areas blow up do not panic this happens to some folks. It happened to me on day eight. It is the body saying hey this is not made by me. I took an antihistimine and got some antihistimine creme and it was gone in a day or so.
Go in as straight as possible and pull out as straight. Massage the areas 24 hours later.
Wear sunscreen you will burn. I am still wearing the mark of burned shoulders from a year ago.
I have never traveled except camping with Copaxone.
Alex
One main thing never have your autoinjector on a high setting with your arm. I accidentally got my ulnar nerve because I did not check my injector and the setting had moved to 10. The pain was not fun.
If one day all your areas blow up do not panic this happens to some folks. It happened to me on day eight. It is the body saying hey this is not made by me. I took an antihistimine and got some antihistimine creme and it was gone in a day or so.
Go in as straight as possible and pull out as straight. Massage the areas 24 hours later.
Wear sunscreen you will burn. I am still wearing the mark of burned shoulders from a year ago.
I have never traveled except camping with Copaxone.
Alex
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