Copaxone for Multiple Sclerosis User Reviews (Page 4)

• Itasara
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 28, 2018

"Diagnosed with MS 2005 started on Copaxone daily. A few months later in 2006. Stayed on it for about nine years and then the 40 mg came out I have been on there for the past three years or so. My first major symptom was transverse myelitis Which eventually led to my diagnosis. It basically went away on its own except left my feet with sensory numbness. Other than a couple other very annoying symptoms, I’ve had no major problems with either the 20 mg or the 40 mg dose. I use an injector and always have. I will be having my first MRI in 12 years next week so will be interesting to see if anything has really changed. In any case my neurologist said he would not change my Treatment regardless of what an MRI Showed which is why he never order an MRI after original ones. Now it’s more of a curiosity after all this time."

• jacam...
• January 4, 2010

"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 ask my neurologists about other options. I'm glad to hear that it works for others. "

• ked
• April 15, 2011

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

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

"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 starting 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."

• vera...
• September 9, 2009

"Taking shots everyday 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

"I have been on Copaxone for a month now and each day gets easier. At first the itchiness and red welt was 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."

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

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

• A...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 24, 2018

"I was diagnosed in 2008. Was put on Betasron - didn't work, Techfidera (nightmare no good always read ingredients),Then Copaxone which was a great fit, 20mg works for me and exercise that helps balance and builds muscle. Copaxone it helps but talk to your and nurse because most patient reacts differently."

• apa
• August 15, 2009

"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 most part. I get tired but I think that is from chasing my 9 yr old son. I have had swelling from injections but it disappears within 20 minutes. Arms seem to be the worst for me for injections."

• Lfromoz
• September 16, 2015

"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. Initally, I had bad site reaction - burning like a wasp sting for about half an hour, but this past. 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 20mg, only this week going onto 40mg."

• igorm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 5, 2021

"One can't really rate an MS DMT, as MS is unpredictable (never know how you'd be without the DMT), so I'll weight 3 criteria: effectiveness on phase 3 studies (not much), how controlled my disease is (well), and my side effects (very minor). Since I started it (08/2018), only a tiny new lesion appeared, and muscle rigidity became a bit more pronounced, so I plan to stay on it. Side effects were none from the beginning (except for my horrible 1st injection - went too deep). With time, I stopped caring about syringe temperature/compresses/etc. But switching from 20mg to 40mg caused pain, some blood, bruising etc. However, a decent procedure made it fine again (I now take it out of the fridge >30min before and apply a cold compress for 1-2min AFTER). Great 1st treatment if your MS seems milder (otherwise go with a stronger DMT, like Tecfidera or even Gilenya). And, of course, switch to a stronger one if you have relevant disease activity while on this DMT."

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

"I 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 gave 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 28, 2017

"Diagnosed MS 2/2015; problems started 12/2014 1st Tecfidera: @4-5 months, many side-effects, horrible flushing, medicine worse than MS, t-cells plummeted. 2nd Copaxone: @ 2 months: hypothermia (one time very serious), and infections; @9 months, mammogram showed calcification. Pre-filled needle is thick and painful; syringes are poorly made and slip, causing pain; big lumps at injection site. 3rd Wahl's protocal (level 1 w/supplements) and Radical Remission protocal: All symptoms resolved, am better now than any time I can remember. I look forward to MRI next month, will be about 1 1/2 months off meds at that time, and 11 months on Wahls & Radical Remission lifestyle."

• Lindsay
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 11, 2022

"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."

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

"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."

• Ms pa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2023

"I took copaxone for several months. I felt strange after the first injection and each subsequent injection. I started having itchy scalp and other small issues and thought it was dandruff developing or my thyroid acting up again but my last injection I knew it was the drug because I developed hives instantly after injection. I was told to stop taking it or I could have anaphylactic shock next injection. I wish I had never taken this drug as now I have several cysts that I didn’t have before. I’m convinced they are my body’s reaction to the drug. None of these Ms drugs work honestly. How can they give a drug for something they have no idea the cause? Be discerning fellow sufferer."

• Anast...
• October 13, 2010

"I've been on Copaxone for 2 years, and symptoms have gotten worst. I guess there's a reason the side effects make it so appealing to everyone. My doctor is finally changing it to another medicine, unfortunately due to severe liver side effects. I am in so much pain and fatigue everyday, I've lost so much of my life, my job, my social life. Trying to overcome this monster."

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

"I was diagnosed with Relapsing MS August 2017. I started on 40mg 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 & joint pain. I decided to switch to a once a day pill."

• Anonymous
• April 20, 2012

"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 its 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. "

• Steph...
• December 12, 2011

"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 24hrs a day. I stopped taking hot/warm showers which helped but I still itched 24hrs 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!)."

• Alleyah
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2019

"Copaxone didn't work for me, I had severe shaking episodes after administering the medication and my doctor suggested that I might be having allergic reactions to the treatment. I'm in the process of selecting another one."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2012

"I chose Copaxone because of the liver problems that people have from the oral medication. I have been on Copaxone for 2 months now. I have had site reactions like swelling, redness and itching. I have started using the heat before and a cold pack after my injection which has helped. Recently, I have had some problems with numbness in my right side from under my arm down to my toes and a burning sensation from my calf down to my toes. It is probably a flare up. I will stay on the injections until my neuro tells me to stop. Shared Solutions is great and they are very helpful."

• Klm
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2023

"1st dose OK. 2nd dose a bit of nausea and weak for a short time, maybe 1 hour. 3rd dose, nausea, stomach pain, chest pain, pain between shoulders, very cold for several hours then very hot unwell for 10 hours very tired and weak the next day. 4th dose nausea, stomach pain, pain between shoulders, pain in kidneys, chest pain. Again, very cold, then very hot. Unwell for 24 hours, still very weak after 2 days."

• Stuck
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 18, 2017

"I was diagnosed wiht relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in 2009. Started Copaxone 20 mg. Used auto inject..Had injection site lumps, itching, bee sting like reaction always. The skin began to atrophy. Had the immediate post-injection reaction (IPIR) too many times to count. Can't breathe, flushing, back spasms, terrible headache, chest pain... was switched to 40 mg because of lack of injection sites a few years later.. IPIR was THE WORST I've ever experienced. Stopped taking it for about 6 weeks. No exacerbations since my diagnosis. While off the meds I started having more nerve pain. My MS Dr said to switch back to 20 mg. I had a bad reaction last night w freezing shaking and joint/muscle pain for an hour. I have 4 injection sites left to use. Hips and flanks. Don't want liver trouble from other meds. Stuck."

• jerz
• July 31, 2009

"I have been on 3 different MS medications, Avonex was the first and I loved it. My husband gave me the shots. I had to stop because of insurance reasons. I later went on Betaseron and I loved it too, no problems with my MS on either one of them. I had to stop it because I got blood clot in my left leg in January of 09 and my Doctor said it could be from the Betaseron based on side effects so she put me on Copaxone. It is most painful of them all, where I take my shots from one week till the next, I am still in pain. "