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    Switch from Copaxone

    I have been putting off switching from Copaxone to Betaseron for quite a while due to the fear of possible side effects. It is not the injection itself that bothers me. To be honest it took awhile to talk myself into taking Copax because I was terrified of the immediate post injection reactions I kept hearing about. For months, besides the stinging of the shot I had no problems and then, without warning I started getting the IPIRs. (I thought I was dying)I have flushing, difficulty breathing and my heart would pound! It can be terrifying and has caused me to skip treatments for weeks at a time, resulting in some major relapses!

    What I really want to know is if this happens with Beta as well? And as far as the flu like symptoms are concerned, does it include dizziness or nausea? Does it hit you immediately like the IPIRs and do you feel a flushing when the medicine hits your system? Do you notice anything immediately after the injection or do the symptoms come on gradually? I'm really nervous. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

    #2
    I've never taken Betaseron, but I have been on both Rebif and Avonex, and as I understand, the side effects of all the interferons are pretty similar, so I'll tell you my experience.

    There are no IPIRs with the interferons. The flu like effects (for me) were fever, chills, sweats, and extreme aches and skin sensitivity. They started very gradually about 30 minutes after I took the med, and peaked about 8-12 hours later. So, no immediate IPIR type of feeling awful, but there was a definite sickness involved.

    Some people don't notice a thing on interferons, and even those who do usually acclimate to them over time. I'm in a smaller subgroup who doesn't seem to, but again, small subgroup--by no means the majority.

    That being said, the side effects on interferon made me wish to high heaven that I could go back on Copaxone, and that's with Copaxone making me nauseated (again, small subgroup. I'm, er...special.) If you keep getting IPIRs, I absolutely see why you would try another med. I preferred Avonex because it was once a week of the side effects, but every body is different.

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      #3
      No IPIR reactions on Beta, just flu-like symptoms that can go away over time.

      Sorry you had such trouble with Copaxone.
      Best of luck on Betaseron. Nice to inject less often, too.

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        #4
        Hi Whitehume

        When I started Betaseron (18 years ago) I'd get a reaction 5 hrs after my shot..I would get chills and sweats at night and then very achy the next morning. This was all before I found out about pre medicating with Ibuprofen. The med (and time) really stopped most of the side effects.

        I hope you enjoy the same effects I have using Betaseron. I believe the worst thing is the blotches and spots from injections, but I'll take that along with the benefits I've received.

        Best of luck
        Susan......... Beta Babe since 1994....I did improve "What you see depends on where you're standing" from American Prayer by Dave Stewart

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          #5
          Thank you all so much! It's takes a lot of stress out of me knowing I don't have to fear the dreaded IPIRs! As far as the blotches and spots from the injections I'm used to it from the Copaxone! I always get the stinging followed by the itchy red whelps and knots followed by the divots in the skin. That's just something I've come to expect.

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            #6
            welcome to the Beta babes

            come back and let us know how you're doing..make sure you pre medicate with Ibuprofen (or similar) when you take the Beta...I do it at night and sleep through any side effects... I usually feel refreshed in the morning..

            come back with updates! take care
            Susan......... Beta Babe since 1994....I did improve "What you see depends on where you're standing" from American Prayer by Dave Stewart

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              #7
              Another question!

              I was curious if anyone had any gastrointestinal issues on beta? (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)

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                #8
                My dr switched me from Copaxone to Beta last September. Ive been on the full dose of Beta for a few months now. I find the Beta schedue to be easier to handle than Copaxone. Im not apprehensive about the IPIR with BETA (but my arm shots burn and sting quite a bit, but nothing that couldnt be handled by a former Copax user!) I dont have any GI issues due to Beta - only due to MS and Scl. Sometimes I do suffer from an achy body and a runny nose after my shot - especially if I forget to take the Ibuprofen, but beyond the large splotches on my thighs changing to Beta has been ok *knock on wood*. Im hoping that my MS will continue to respond to the treatment as I continue to take it this year.

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                  #9
                  I wish I had started out with Rebif (instead of Copaxone) from the very beginning (2009). No problems with the injection, no bumps or itching. I premedicate with Tylenol (or Aleve) and inject right before bed. I have only woken up once feeling cold/shaky. Otherwiswe? I sleep right through the symptoms - if there are any!!

                  timing is important!


                  Good luck.

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                    #10
                    re: gastric issues

                    Hi again..I've never had any gastric problems..no nausea, vomiting and diarrhea...never!

                    the best time to take it is bedtime and make sure you pre medicate..

                    good luck
                    Susan......... Beta Babe since 1994....I did improve "What you see depends on where you're standing" from American Prayer by Dave Stewart

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                      #11
                      So glad to find this thread; now I don't have to start one.
                      I am also switching from Copaxone to Betaseron. My kit and first month supply arrived today. The nurse is coming on Thursday to train me to use it.

                      I had a great talk with the nurse on Monday. She answered a. LOT of questions; some that I hadn't even thought to ask. She did say that it helps to take something like Ibuprofen about 45 minutes before injecting. Another really neat thing she told me about was an app for iphones and androids/smartphones. It reminds you when to take your shot AND lets you know which site (you rotate sites, just like with Copaxone) to use.

                      I was also thinking that, because of the flu-like symptoms (which she said don't last too long), it would be a good idea to take the shots at night. I'm on enough other nighttime meds that make me drowsy; seems like the best time to take something that might make me want to rest, anyway. Seems like they are kicking in as I type; better end my comments. ;-)

                      May we both find that this change will be really helpful!

                      -Sherry

                      Proverbs 31 wannabe
                      Isaiah 26:3,4 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."

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                        #12
                        I went the other way; from Beta to Copaxone. I think the flu like symptoms were only for the first few weeks with Betaseron. I would much rather do that again then the 6 months that it took for my injection site reactions to finally calm down with Copaxone! Definitely pre-medicate. I didn't feel too bad, just achy and like I was coming down with something.
                        Lori
                        Betaseron 2004-2009, Tysabri 2010-2011, Copaxone 2012-2013, Tecfidera 2013...

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                          #13
                          I switched from Copaxone to Beta. For me, the Beta shots were a lot less painful (I had a big problem w/injection site reactions and pain on Cpx, which is why I switched. Every shot was such an ordeal ). The flulike symptoms were rough at first but I didn't feel them until the next morning, after doing the shot around 10 p.m. Premedicating with Advil helped along with walking/jogging for 10-15 mins after each shot.
                          2001: 1st 2 relapses, "probable MS." 2007: 3rd relapse. Dx of RRMS confirmed by MS specialist. Started Cpx. (Off Cpx Feb 08-Mar 09 to start a family; twins!) Dec '09: Started Beta. Oct '13: Started Tecfidera. May '15: Considering Gilenya.

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                            #14
                            Oh and yeah, my "flulike symptoms" on Beta have always been the body aches and sometimes that "feel like you've been hit by a bus" feeling you can get when coming down with something. No nausea or anything like that.
                            2001: 1st 2 relapses, "probable MS." 2007: 3rd relapse. Dx of RRMS confirmed by MS specialist. Started Cpx. (Off Cpx Feb 08-Mar 09 to start a family; twins!) Dec '09: Started Beta. Oct '13: Started Tecfidera. May '15: Considering Gilenya.

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