Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Side effects go away?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Side effects go away?

    Hello, I am new to the forum. Instead of introducing myself I just decided to jump right in. Maybe one day I will hit the introductions.

    I recently just started on copaxone 40mg, actually my first dose was this past Saturday. The nurse that came out said I could start on the monday, wednesday, friday schedule.

    With that, today would be my dose. When I gave myself the first injection I noticed I had some of the side effects. Muscle tightness in the area I injected (as if any of us need that, assuming others have as bad of spasms as I do). Burning. The even more sensitivity to heat. I did notice that one subsided the next day. I guess some would call that flushing. Then the nausea. I have bouts where I get nauseous just for no reason. Summer is the worse, I really dislike that feeling. Then on top of the already fatigue I was like a zombie the rest of the day. I mean like I felt even more like I was in la la land. I already have times of the day where I feel as if I am stuck on stupid (that is my comical way to explain it). After I was even more in a derrrr state of mind.

    Just curious, do the side effects eventually go away? If I even think about giving myself another injection I get nauseous. I remember when I started on my gabapentin I had all kinds of side effects, the stuck on stupid then was the worse. After a time my body totally adjusted, and I couldn't imagine ever being off the gabapentin now. Will the copaxone eventually do like the gabapentin? My body just needs a time to adjust? If so, how long did it take you all for your body to adjust?

    I was so excited to get started on the copaxone. I sure want to give it a go, and who knows maybe all the side effects are just part of my MS? I really have no clue.

    Thanks in advance for all your advice that you are willing to give me!

    By the way, I figured I would start doing my injection before bed time. Then I fear will I be able to get comfortable enough to sleep? Opinions totally welcomed in that department also! Thanks

    #2
    Well I took my injection a few hours ago. I was a little leery I wouldn't be able to sleep. I am nauseous, but that really means nothing. I was nauseous before. It seems like it wasn't this bad this time. Maybe it was the entire procedure of something new, having to take all the information in? The stress of it all that tilted me a little that day? Who knows!

    By the way, my neuro thinks I have had ms since about 2001. I was only recently diagnosed. I went through a lot of misdiagnoses first. I never have liked to do things the easy way, lol.

    Comment


      #3
      Hi CarolynCarter and welcome!

      I'm glad your second shot went better. Burning and site reactions are very common when using Copaxone so you're not alone in that department. There are a few helpful hints and suggestions in the Copaxone forum from others who have gone before. You might want to read up on them.

      I remember my first shot years ago (It was Avonex, but still...) I was so nervous that I was in a cold sweat. My husband had to do it for me for a couple months before I got the nerve up. It could be that your stress was a factor in your reactions. Be sure you take notes about your reactions and if it doesn't improve or you notice complications, a call to your doctor or a shared solutions nurse will be beneficial.

      It does get easier!! Hope you do well
      1st sx '89 Dx '99 w/RRMS - SP since 2010
      Administrator Message Boards/Moderator

      Comment


        #4
        For me - they mostly went away

        Hi Carolyn,

        Welcome and sorry you are here!

        I have been taking Copaxone 40mg/3x per week since late April. For me, the side effects have mostly gone away.

        In the beginning, I would get HUGE!!! welts for every injection and each injection site would "light up" every time I gave myself a shot. I also had a night where I was shivering uncontrollably for about 2 hours (I stood in a very hot shower for about 1/2 hour which helped).

        After trying different autoject depths (8 for hips/butt and stomach, 4 for thighs) and making sure to ice for 20 minutes after each shot - the reactions are much much less. I get a welt but it is much smaller and it only lasts for 24 hours. Then it gets itchy and goes away.

        Talk to your doctor about injection sites. Shared Solutions will only stick to the grid when it comes to injection sites. Your doctor can advise on other areas that might have more fat or would work better for you.

        Hang in there, I know it's hard but it does get better.
        Diagnosed RRMS 4/7/15, symptoms for 8 months prior. Copaxone 4/27/15

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by CarolynCarter View Post
          ... When I gave myself the first injection I noticed I had some of the side effects. Muscle tightness in the area I injected (as if any of us need that, assuming others have as bad of spasms as I do). Burning. The even more sensitivity to heat. I did notice that one subsided the next day. I guess some would call that flushing. Then the nausea. I have bouts where I get nauseous just for no reason. Summer is the worse, I really dislike that feeling. Then on top of the already fatigue I was like a zombie the rest of the day. I mean like I felt even more like I was in la la land. I already have times of the day where I feel as if I am stuck on stupid (that is my comical way to explain it). After I was even more in a derrrr state of mind.

          Just curious, do the side effects eventually go away? ...
          My experience with your Copaxone 40 symptoms:
          • Muscle tightness -- never
          • Burning -- sometimes. It doesn't always happen.
            • Actually, I had very bad burning and pain when I first began Copaxone 20 at three out of four injection sites, and finally went to using only my abdomen, with the approval of my MS Specialist; I only took C20 4 days per week instead of 7. I am currently on C40 on M, W, F, like you. Using only my abdomen is the only way I don't have burning. The pain used to last 3 days and would require Tylenol or Advil every 4-6 hours, it was so bad.

          • Sensitivity to heat/flushing -- never
          • Nausea -- never, with Copaxone. Many people experience that with the interferons (Avonex, Betaseron, or Rebif), but I wasn't aware that was ever a Copaxone symptom.
          • Zombie fatigue -- Never
          ~ Faith
          MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
          (now a Mimibug)

          Symptoms began in JAN02
          - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
          - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08
          .

          - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
          - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

          Comment


            #6
            Thanks all! Seems like right after is the worst, but the next day I do start feeling better. Nausea I have been using ginger, not sure why I didn't think of that sooner.

            Right at this moment, I am out of copaxone, and I have missed 2 doses. Oh boy I feel like crap. I had wondered if some of the feelings were the copaxone or my ms. Now I am wondering if missing those 2 doses is why I feel so bad or my ms.

            I also hate being here, but glad that I have a place that has others that totally understand.

            Reason I am out is because there was some problem with the pharmacy my insurance approval. Who knows, supposedly a shipment is suppose to be here today. Supposedly!

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by CarolynCarter View Post
              I am out of copaxone, and I have missed 2 doses. Oh boy I feel like crap. I had wondered if some of the feelings were the copaxone or my ms. Now I am wondering if missing those 2 doses is why I feel so bad or my ms.
              I had a similar SNAFU & missed about a week of Copaxone, but I didn't feel any differently. It's supposed to take months to build up in your system and also 'wears off' slowly.
              1st sx 11/26/09; Copaxone from 12/1/11 to 7/13/18
              NOT ALL SX ARE MS!

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by MarkLavelle View Post
                I had a similar SNAFU & missed about a week of Copaxone, but I didn't feel any differently. It's supposed to take months to build up in your system and also 'wears off' slowly.
                That is exactly what I thought also. Hope your script comes in soon enough, I guess with the new year everything went haywire!

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by CarolynCarter View Post
                  Hope your script comes in soon enough
                  LOL! It was last year I had that problem...
                  1st sx 11/26/09; Copaxone from 12/1/11 to 7/13/18
                  NOT ALL SX ARE MS!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Okay, site reactions are lasting about a week. Waking up all night scratching myself raw. They hurt. I been wetting the bed since starting. My cognitive also seems to have been worse. Pain in my neck, and I think it is all related. Everyone I talk to says that it is timing. I don't care anymore. I am done with the copaxone. Done!

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X