Anyone happy with the 40mg dose?

[Suzzette]

Thanks for the tips, and yes, I do all those things and it still stings so bad. I've tried adjusting the depth of the injection, if that's the problem, I haven't hit the mark yet. I have been on C since 2001. I always did manual injections in thighs and abdomen and stinging was not a big issue with the 20mg. Even when I used the auto injector, the stinging was minimal. I haven't tried manual with the 40mg. Don't really know why. I guess I will live with the discomfort, because I sure like three times per,week versus everyday shots! Take care y'all!!

[Larry K]

I've been on 40 mg since June, 2014. Love three injections per week, BUT they sting so bad when injecting the drug!!! I have tried everything to lessen this, to no avail. Sometimes, it's all I can do to keep from pulling the needle out before the injection is complete. Any suggestions? Take care all!

Suzzette

Are you hitting muscle? I had a lot of issues with this right off the start. I've learned myself on how to prep the injection site by rubbing the area before the alcohol pad. The legs always hurt too much with the auto injector. I started to do manual on the legs to which it helped. The only spot I have trouble now is the stomach area. On the ones that hurt I put a ice pack on the site and usually 5 minutes later, they feel better.

[MsJessiS]

Chills and Fever

I started Copaxone 40 about three weeks ago. Sometimes I have side effects and sometimes I don't. The only side effects I DO get are horrible chills (whole body shaking, can't get warm) and a slight fever. But it doesn't happen every time. So far only when I have injected into my right arm, stomach and right thigh.

Any suggestions on why? I've done my hips and right arm with no issues at all.

I take 3 shots out for the week and leave them in the travel case that Shared Solutions provided, so they are not cold and are room temp.

[2BEACPA]

SAME THING

I was on Copaxone 20 for 15 years, switched to Tecfidera for the past 2 months and, due to some horrible side effects, am switching back to Copaxone but going for the 40 instead of the 20. I should have stayed with Copaxone instead of switching, but the thought of taking a pill instead of doing a shot was just too tempting. I've had no progression for 15 years, and I really think that Copaxone is to thank for that. I saw my neurologist tonight and am now waiting for my new *improved* Copaxone 40 to arrive.

I did the same thing. On copaxone 20 for 15 years. On tecfidera for 14 months. Then back to copaxone 40. Tecfidera was o.k., but much harsher then copaxone.

[Imagine]

Agree

I've only been on Copaxone (40 mg) since April, but I have found that if I take out the week's worth from the refrigerator on Sunday, I have much less site reactions. I leave the 3 syringes in the drawer with my auto-injector. I rarely get itching, and just occasional swelling and redness with is gone the next morning.

Hope this helps.

The drug can stay at room temperature for 30 days. I never take the injection cold. You do have to keep the syringes in a dark area (in 1 of the envelopes Shared Solutions provides), @ room temperature.
Shalom, Suzanne

[Sunapee]

Rebif to C 20 to C40 to Tysabri,,now back to C20..and staying put

When I was first diagnosed in 2011 and after doing due diligence researching I opted to start meds with Rebif. It stabilized my progression as far as no new lesions,however, the side effect of mild depression became unfeasible for me.the interferons have that as a possible side effect and Copaxone doesn't so we decided to switch.
2solid years on C with no new lesions found helped me stay the course....the welts and stinging, etc. were, to me anyhow, minor discomforts.
When the 40 came out I thought it would be even better- just 3x a week.
Unfortunately, my body rebelled against the extra dosage. The welts were pancake size and took days to dissipate, along with being very sore. I began to dread the shots and the ensuing pain. After 6 months I threw in the towel.
Next up was the monthly Tysabri infusion. Everyone on it extols it's virtues and I was hoping this was the one. What I found was that for those 8 months I was totally exhausted, my cognitive functioning was impaired, and the working memory was pathetic. Ty was just not for me. So, back to C,but I am doing the 20, never the 40 again.

[emily06]

Welts

When I was first diagnosed in 2011 and after doing due diligence researching I opted to start meds with Rebif. It stabilized my progression as far as no new lesions,however, the side effect of mild depression became unfeasible for me.the interferons have that as a possible side effect and Copaxone doesn't so we decided to switch.
2solid years on C with no new lesions found helped me stay the course....the welts and stinging, etc. were, to me anyhow, minor discomforts.
When the 40 came out I thought it would be even better- just 3x a week.
Unfortunately, my body rebelled against the extra dosage. The welts were pancake size and took days to dissipate, along with being very sore. I began to dread the shots and the ensuing pain. After 6 months I threw in the towel.
Next up was the monthly Tysabri infusion. Everyone on it extols it's virtues and I was hoping this was the one. What I found was that for those 8 months I was totally exhausted, my cognitive functioning was impaired, and the working memory was pathetic. Ty was just not for me. So, back to C,but I am doing the 20, never the 40 again.

What did you do to try to get the welts to dissipate? I'm on C 40 for 4 shots now and I can't get the welts to go down.

[Boymom123]

I started Copaxone 40 about three weeks ago. Sometimes I have side effects and sometimes I don't. The only side effects I DO get are horrible chills (whole body shaking, can't get warm) and a slight fever. But it doesn't happen every time. So far only when I have injected into my right arm, stomach and right thigh.

Any suggestions on why? I've done my hips and right arm with no issues at all.

I take 3 shots out for the week and leave them in the travel case that Shared Solutions provided, so they are not cold and are room temp.

Sorry I can't break this up, but I got the chills once too (horrible). I researched all over the internet and started taking ibuprofen about 1/2 hour before the shot. You may want to discuss taking something beforehand with your doctor.

[kim-mastro]

What did you do to try to get the welts to dissipate? I'm on C 40 for 4 shots now and I can't get the welts to go down.

I have found that a cold pack works for me. The nurse at my school says warm packs but cold is the only thing that works for me.

[emily06]

Injection 7 and I'm ready to quit

The last 3 injections were very painful. Not the actual needle but the medicine once it had all gotten in. And immediately I had all over hives (little bumpts) and extreme itching. It's been an hour since I did the injection and it's all still the same; pain and itching. I don't see where anyone mentioned this. What do I do? I tried contacting my neuro but he's not getting back to me. I contacted the Copaxone nurse and she told me to contact my neuro but to take a Benadryl before the injection. Benadryl always puts me to sleep and I wake up the next day feeling awful.

(I haven't been able to figure out where I go on this updated site - I haven't been on it for a while - to see comments to my posts.)

[Bo Perkins]

RE: Bruises

Does anyone else on 40 get bruises at the injection sites? Is there something I can do to lessen them? They are lasting longer and longer. I've been on since June.

When I first started out on Copaxone - it was on 20 and with those autoinjector thingamajigs. I ended up with red spots the size of a quarter and bruises that took up a little more than 4 injection areas. Now you would think that would be no problems except when it is. I bruise easy and am slow to heal. then add to that what I said in my earlier post about not having all the injection sites available, I was hurting to find spots to inject.

After showing this to my Neuro and discussing it with him, it was decided that I would do away with the auto inject and would manually give myself the shot. Shared Solutions gave me a gadjet that allows me to hold the needle to inject myself and I asked ffor the nurse to come back out and make sure I was doing it properly.

I no longer bruise.

For me it was not the medicine - it was the method of the injection.

[Imagine]

Yes...

Seems like there's alot of negative comments on the 40mg copaxone. I have a prescription for the 40mg 3 times a week. Has anyone been pleased with the 40mg?

[B]I am quite pleased. I was on the 20mg dose 7 days a week, and, for me, it was really difficult. Because I'm small, it was painful and I wasn't consistent.

40 mg, though it hurts, is oh so much better than the 7 day per week deal. Best of all: after being on the 40 mg for a year, I had an MRI and NO DISEASE PROGRESSION.

Everyone is different, and sometimes it takes trying more than 1 drug to get the right fit. I took rebif/B]and had a really bad reaction; but some people react quite well to rebif/avonex.

Everyone likely already knows all of this, I just mainly wanted to let you know that my experience has been very positive with Copaxone 40 mg.

Good Luck
Shalom, Suzanne

[Imagine]

Sorry about my timing

[QUOTE=Larry K;1470285]What really sucks is that my work changed insurance and the insurance denied 40 copaxone and approved the 20. Tonight is my last injection of the 40. Monday I start the 2
0[

Hey Larry. I see that your post was 8 months ago, so perhaps you already know what I am posting. I was told by 2 nurses at Shared Solutions that the 40 mg dose will not be denied due to insurance problems or inability to pay. Prior to receiving medicare, my Copaxone was free. Now, the copay is based on income. By this time (again, my apologies), if you're still on 20, but want 40, talk with someone from shared solutions. I think your insurance is requiring you to take 20 mg, is b/c a generic is going to be available- then you're likely to be required to take the generic... just my opinion.

Please let me know what's going on now. Good Luck
Shalom, Suzanne

[Imagine]

Insist you are listened to...

I started Copaxone 40 about three weeks ago. Sometimes I have side effects and sometimes I don't. The only side effects I DO get are horrible chills (whole body shaking, can't get warm) and a slight fever. But it doesn't happen every time. So far only when I have injected into my right arm, stomach and right thigh.

Any suggestions on why? I've done my hips and right arm with no issues at all.

I take 3 shots out for the week and leave them in the travel case that Shared Solutions provided, so they are not cold and are room temp.

Okay, I know that what you're describing is a side effect for 2% of people taking Copaxone. Exactly what you described happened to a friend of mine and she was immediately switched to another DMD. Should your neuro tell you it is not a SE of the drug, inform him/her of the 2%. My friend switched neurologists b/c 1st 1, general neuro, ignored her complaint with, "Copaxone does not cause this," and went to MS specialist who confirmed the 2%. We had looked it up- read the info- carefully- and contact your doctor SOON.

Please keep us updated. Feel better.
Shalom, Suzanne

[Imagine]

Forgot to say...

I no longer use the injector; and it's made a huge difference. Bruising has seriously decreased, as have the welts. Thank God I switched b/c I no longer have to wait until bedtime to inject and the pain only lasts a few minutes, as opposed to a few hours!