Hi All.
I was at my first appointment with the MS nurse today. I started seeing a new neurologist in April because I moved and am unable to see my previous neuro, whom I have had for the past 3 years...
So at the appointment today, the nurse looked at my body and was in shock as to what Copaxone has done to me over the past 33 months. I have the dreaded stomach atrophy, but I also have bruises and lumps on my legs from weeks ago as well as lumps on my arms from weeks ago. She said that if I continue with daily injections then I will most likely develop more problems later on, since all of this has happened after just short of 3 years of usage.
Because of the medication rules here in Europe, the only other medications available to me at this time--aside from Copaxone--are Betaseron, Rebif, and Avonex.
The nurse crossed Betaseron off the list right away, saying it was not a good option for me because of the mixing and whatnot. I agreed!!!
She sent me home with information about Avonex and Rebif. I also had a short demonstration of how the two injectors work, but had a heck of a time trying to push the button for Avonex, which led me to believe that perhaps it may not be the best option for me if I can't even push the darn button!! And Rebif makes me a little bit nervous because its electronic and what if it malfunctions one day and I end up receiving 3 doses worth in one go?? Or how will it be somehow better for me and not be as harsh on my body if its also a subcutaneous injection, just like Copaxone?? At this point, I'd say the Avonex may be my best option because its inter-muscular... But won't that possibly bring on more pain? And if I can only use it in my thighs--which are already bruised from the Copaxone--will that not make them swell or something else?
And children... I haven't had any kids yet, but I'd like to in the future, which is why I chose Copaxone in the first place! I just turned 27 and honestly, I thought I had everything under control with this disease. I'm sure I was just lying to myself though because I knew there was atrophy going on when I saw my old neurologist last year, but didn't say anything because I didn't want to have to change medications. Now, 10 months later, I just continued to make things worse.
The nurse thinks the inter-muscular Avonex option may be best for me because it will supposedly do the least destruction to my external body... But what about all of the reactions that come with interferons? That's why I chose Copaxone!!! And it's just ruining my body!!! I still have a couple of weeks left of Copaxone and have been advised to take it every other day until I see my neurologist in a couple of weeks and make a decision as to what other medicine I should take in its place.
Have any of you used Copaxone as your first choice and then experienced similar problems and needed to switch medications? What did you choose? How is it working out for you?
I feel like, aside from the external problems and the occasional minor flare-ups, I've been doing alright with Copaxone. What can I expect to improve, if anything, with the new medication options?
I feel like, sometimes, it's just a never ending path with hurdles every meter along the way.
Any advice is truly appreciated!
I was at my first appointment with the MS nurse today. I started seeing a new neurologist in April because I moved and am unable to see my previous neuro, whom I have had for the past 3 years...
So at the appointment today, the nurse looked at my body and was in shock as to what Copaxone has done to me over the past 33 months. I have the dreaded stomach atrophy, but I also have bruises and lumps on my legs from weeks ago as well as lumps on my arms from weeks ago. She said that if I continue with daily injections then I will most likely develop more problems later on, since all of this has happened after just short of 3 years of usage.
Because of the medication rules here in Europe, the only other medications available to me at this time--aside from Copaxone--are Betaseron, Rebif, and Avonex.
The nurse crossed Betaseron off the list right away, saying it was not a good option for me because of the mixing and whatnot. I agreed!!!
She sent me home with information about Avonex and Rebif. I also had a short demonstration of how the two injectors work, but had a heck of a time trying to push the button for Avonex, which led me to believe that perhaps it may not be the best option for me if I can't even push the darn button!! And Rebif makes me a little bit nervous because its electronic and what if it malfunctions one day and I end up receiving 3 doses worth in one go?? Or how will it be somehow better for me and not be as harsh on my body if its also a subcutaneous injection, just like Copaxone?? At this point, I'd say the Avonex may be my best option because its inter-muscular... But won't that possibly bring on more pain? And if I can only use it in my thighs--which are already bruised from the Copaxone--will that not make them swell or something else?
And children... I haven't had any kids yet, but I'd like to in the future, which is why I chose Copaxone in the first place! I just turned 27 and honestly, I thought I had everything under control with this disease. I'm sure I was just lying to myself though because I knew there was atrophy going on when I saw my old neurologist last year, but didn't say anything because I didn't want to have to change medications. Now, 10 months later, I just continued to make things worse.
The nurse thinks the inter-muscular Avonex option may be best for me because it will supposedly do the least destruction to my external body... But what about all of the reactions that come with interferons? That's why I chose Copaxone!!! And it's just ruining my body!!! I still have a couple of weeks left of Copaxone and have been advised to take it every other day until I see my neurologist in a couple of weeks and make a decision as to what other medicine I should take in its place.
Have any of you used Copaxone as your first choice and then experienced similar problems and needed to switch medications? What did you choose? How is it working out for you?
I feel like, aside from the external problems and the occasional minor flare-ups, I've been doing alright with Copaxone. What can I expect to improve, if anything, with the new medication options?
I feel like, sometimes, it's just a never ending path with hurdles every meter along the way.
Any advice is truly appreciated!
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