Glatiramer User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Dre...
• March 17, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in April 2016. In August 2016 and February 2017, the MRI showed minimal activity. My neurologist advised me to start using Copaxone, 3 times a week - 40 mg. I've been injecting myself without the auto injector, and so far, so good. I only inject in my belly and legs (in the evening). When injecting in my belly, I experience a burning/itchy feeling. This fades away after an hour. It's an awkward feeling, but not a big deal. When injecting my legs, I experience stiffness of my leg muscle. After a few hours, it is gone. The stiffness is a nuisance, but not a big deal. The next morning, no more itchy sensations or muscle stiffness. All gone. Because I am only using it for 2 weeks, I don't know if it helps, but so far, I am very happy."

• PJa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 5, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with RRMS in 1993. Tried Avonex, worst side effects: body pain, pounding headache instantly. Stopped drug after 6 weeks. In 1999, had relapse: double vision, numb on left side, slurred speech, dizziness, fatigue, unable to walk without falling, my mind felt odd. Doctor at Duke University suggested Copaxone 20 mg. Started in 1999. Now on 40 mg, 3 times a week. Had relapse May 2016. I have itching, welts, injection pain, lumps, and permanent indentations."

• Fif...
• July 15, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with MS 25 years ago. I was on no meds for 15 years, Copaxone 20 mg for 5 years, then switched to Gilenya for 6 years. Then 2 weeks hospitalized with viral encephalitis! Do not go on immune-suppressing MS drugs! I agree with others about the Wahl protocol... eat to feed your brain. Also include cardio, strength training, and stretching weekly. I am starting Copaxone 40 mg. Should be no problem."

• caz...
• August 9, 2008

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have R/R MS, and after having more than 2 relapses in 1 year, I was put on Copaxone. 3.5 years on, I realize that this drug really suits me. The only problem with this medication is my poor memory, at least once per month, I totally forget to administer my injection. This causes no exacerbations, and I feel so good on it. I had suffered for quite a few years before using this preparation, and it seems like a godsend."

• Lak...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 20, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with relapsing MS in August 2017. I started on 40 mg Copaxone injectable 3/week. At first, it didn’t seem so bad. Then, after the repetitiveness, I began having terrible site reactions after 5 months. I tried sticking it out, but then I started getting bad headaches, weight gain, and joint pain. I decided to switch to a once-a-day pill."

• jac...
• January 4, 2010

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Copaxone for 5 months now after being diagnosed in June. The injections are easy, but the site reactions are awful. I get red, itchy, and swollen at the site despite using heat, ice, and the various adjustments of the needle depths as directed by the nurse. I also had a really bad reaction that included chest pains and what seemed like muscle spasms coupled with electric shocks in my joints, which lasted about 30 minutes. I am going to continue for a few more months, but if there is no change, I'm going to ask my neurologist about other options. I'm glad to hear that it works for others."

• Tam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2022

For Multiple Sclerosis "Diagnosed in September 2020. The first medication I tried was Copaxone. For the first almost 6 months, I had no issues or side effects. Thought this was great! But for some reason, my body started reacting badly to the site areas after injecting. I would break out in some kind of hive that would last the week, through time, they seemed to get itchier and bigger. Nurses recommended switching due to this. It is a shame because other than that, I had zero side effects, and my 6-monthly MRI was stable."

• Sho...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 4, 2024

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been taking Copaxone for 16 years for RRMS, and it has made my life so much better. It has slowed the progression, and I have had a normal life during that period. I had a few smaller relapses that were caused by excessive stress. The only downside is that I have developed lipoatrophy at most of the injection sites, so now I will switch to some other medication."

• ked...
• April 15, 2011

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Copaxone now for about 10 years. I never tried any of the other medicines, but can say that my MS has not reached a stage that has debilitated me, so it's reasonable to conclude this may be having some benefit. Never had major side effects - recommended for RRMS."

• ver...
• September 9, 2009

For Multiple Sclerosis "Taking shots every day isn't great, and the reactions to the shot sites are not always pleasant, but there are no flu-like symptoms, and the results that I have had are wonderful. I've been taking it for less than a full year, and the lesions on my brain and spine have all shrank, according to my last MRI a month ago."

• Anonymous
• January 7, 2010

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Copaxone for a month now, and each day gets easier. At first, the itchiness and red welt were not nice, but now, after adjusting my injection depth and warming the area beforehand, I have very little problems with it. I inject first thing in the morning and then just get on with my day - seems like no big deal to me."

• daw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2013

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Copaxone for a week. Side effects give me severe stomach pain, back and side pain, and vomiting. I'm going to try to get through it this weekend. If symptoms persist, it will go in the trash, and I will have my doc give me something new."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 6, 2012

For Multiple Sclerosis "Was diagnosed 11/2002. Put on Copaxone. Had to fight with insurance, who kept denying for 6 months. But finally approved. In 9 years, have only had one major relapse that put me in the hospital. Paralyzed from waist down for four weeks. Now use a walker. God answered everyone's prayers. In 9 years, have only missed taking my shot once. Had problems in the beginning with the thigh shot. Nurse helped with that. Am very happy with Copaxone."

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 12, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was on the 20 mg of Copaxone for more than 10 years and took a break for about a year. Felt that I was stable. I felt great, and MRIs were showing no new progression. Recently started trying to get back on it using the 40 mg for the last three weeks and am getting rashes, hives, headaches, and in general feeling worn out and 'MS-ey.' Just not sure whether to be on it or not at this point."

• apa...
• August 15, 2009

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Auto Inject Copaxone for over a year now. I have just entered my second year. I may have the disease, but it certainly does not have me. I feel great for the most part. I get tired, but I think that is from chasing my 9-year-old son. I have had swelling from injections, but it disappears within 20 minutes. Arms seem to be the worst for me for injections."

• Lfr...
• September 16, 2015

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've been on Copaxone since February 2001. I have not had a major exacerbation during that time. Previously, I had a major exacerbation approx every 5 years. The minor exacerbations I now have are very mild. Initially, I had a bad site reaction - burning like a wasp sting for about half an hour, but this passed. I did have one chest pain episode, but none since. Otherwise, no side effects - though I do have a bleeding 'rogue blood vessel' coming through scar tissue in one eye (retina). This is from a blow 10 years ago, but I wonder if Copaxone may have exacerbated this. I have been on 20 mg, only this week going onto 40 mg."

• TSa...
• March 15, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "For what it's worth, I would not recommend switching to Glatopa yet (as it's still too new in the market). I was on Copaxone for 5 years and was doing great before the switch. Had I known what I know now, I would have opted for the alternative Copaxone financial assistance (a reimbursement program) to stay on the daily shot once Kaiser auto-switched patients to Glatopa (for cost-saving purposes to them) without ensuring the negative side effects to patients because basically they just don't care. All that being said, within 6 months of switching to Glatopa, I ended up in the hospital with transverse myelitis for 10 days (with a 100K hospital bill), which is more than a relapse, it's a completely new lesion on the spine. Anyway, while in the hospital, a doctor told me that a generic does not have to be exactly the same ingredients as their predecessor. She said the generic drug can contain up to 20% of new proprietary ingredients. Wish I had known. It's unbelievable that Kaiser (or any doctor) would just switch patients to a new drug without that full disclosure or before the medication has been truly tested as a genuine safe replacement. I have since been referred to the MS Center (where they don't recommend Glatopa - go figure). My new doctor (at the MS Center) put me on Tysabri - which I hear is the 'Cadillac' of current MS treatments. Anyway, been doing fine on it so far with the exception of lingering nerve discomfort from the Glatopa relapse (for which I also take Gabapentin). Soon I will be back 100%, and in the meantime... all is well!"

• Lin...
• January 24, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I started taking Copaxone in mid-August 2016. The first 3-4 months, I didn't notice any real difference. After the first few weeks, I didn't have any more site reactions. For the last two months, I'm experiencing terrible joint pain. Leg cramps in the middle of the night; my hips are stiff, and my shoulders hurt. Just a little while ago, my hand was shaking so bad. It's scared me. So here's the thing - I'm not experiencing any of the other MS symptoms that I had before taking Copaxone. Gone are those electrical shock sensations; I'm not really more numb, the weird feeling that runs down my spine. It seems like I've traded one set of symptoms for another. Before Copaxone, I enjoyed exercising. Now, not so much. :("

• Dom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2013

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've been on Copaxone for 3 months, and I got to say it gives me a lot of energy. I never really had bad flare-ups, but what I had was very scary to me, and so far, Copaxone has only given me a little chest pain and shortness of breath, but other than that, I trust that Copaxone works. All I can say is stay positive."

• MSg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 23, 2013

For Multiple Sclerosis "I started Copaxone a couple of months after being diagnosed. At the time of diagnosis, I was just getting over a relapse that included numbness on my left side and a phantom turtle-neck feeling. I haven't had any symptoms since then, and that was November 2011. I'm pleased with Copaxone this far."

• Spo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 23, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "Was on Copaxone for 3 years. Horrid reaction after many injections as it seemed I was often hitting a vein. Huge welts from injections that took weeks to subside. Last straw was the killing of flesh on left arm. Surgeon said damage looked like a chemical burn from the inside out. Two surgeries to repair and have an 8-inch scar as a permanent reminder. This was back in 2003."

• Anonymous
• April 20, 2012

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Copaxone for 12 years. I have had ups and downs with this medicine, but never anything real bad. I did have some swollen lymph nodes in my groin that we assumed was from the Copaxone. I went off the medicine for a month, and they started to go down. I went back on Copaxone after a flare from being off the medicine and haven't looked back. I think it's a great medicine. I inject it myself mostly, and my wife does it the rest of the time. I don't use my arms because when you get a muscle injection, it is quite painful. I miss one here and there to give myself a night without a needle. I have had very good luck with this medicine and hope it continues for years to come."

• Ste...
• December 12, 2011

For Multiple Sclerosis "I started Copaxone 2 months after being diagnosed. I was on the medicine for one month and loved the fact I wasn't experiencing any body aches, headaches, and felt fine. HOWEVER, the site reactions over the course of the 2 weeks got worse. I had hot, fiery red-colored 5-6 inch welt reactions at sites that became itchier after the 2nd week of injections. I wanted to cry because I was itching nonstop 24 hours a day. I stopped taking hot/warm showers, which helped, but I still itched 24 hours a day. I developed rashes from my neck to my face. I stopped after 1 month. I would have liked to stay on Copaxone, but rashes not located at the sites was a concern for the doctor and shared solutions team (the shared solutions team is great, by the way!)."

• Lin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 11, 2022

For Multiple Sclerosis "Copaxone is the worst. In a very short period of time, I developed disgusting lipoatrophy all over my body. Have been working with plastic surgeons to fix these major eyesores, but it's been a physical, mental, emotional, cosmetic, and financial disaster. All for a stupid drug that 'supposedly' helps prevent future flares (i.e., does nothing for your symptoms). I can safely say this drug ruined my life."

• Jer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "Despite my neurologist's request to keep me on Copaxone (symptom-free since 2008 and minor injection-site irritation), Cigna forced me onto Glatopa. First, the injection device is flawed. It jammed twice and didn't fully inject the medication. More frightening are the injection-site reactions: large rash and bruising that resolved over 4 weeks into what looked like some skin infection, peeling, scabbing. I am fortunate that my neurologist found this unacceptable and switched me back after 2 weeks (6 doses)."