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Old 05-17-2008, 09:43 AM
Victor H Victor H is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,090
15 yr Member
Victor H Victor H is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,090
15 yr Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Natalie8 View Post
I think I know the answer (and right decision) but I need some confirmation? reassurance? support that I am making the right choice.

I've been on copaxone for 6 1/2 weeks. It is making me feel like crap. I'm on anti-nausea meds they normally give to chemo patients to help with the extreme nausea. I'm taking prescription naproxen for muscle aches and flu-like feelings. The drug makes me fatigued. I am only half functioning in my life right now. It's all I can to do to get up in the morning.

I don't think I can take it anymore. I have toughed it out for what I think is a good while. I have an appt. on June 5 with the big MS clinic in my city. Every week that goes by, I keep telling myself, just hang on until then. You can talk to the new neurologist about what to do, what the choices are etc. Each week I say, maybe you will feel better if you last one more week. But I just don't think I can take it anymore.

If I go off the drug I feel like I am a failure or I am letting my DH down or letting the current neuro down. I think I am conflicted about what to do too because the C. people and the neuro seemed so surprised I feel this way -- of course, everyone says that C. is not supposed to cause flu-like side effects etc.

It it terrible to stop the drug? Should I keep hanging on? It seems a "quality of life v. possible benefit" question to some degree. I guess I just want someone to tell me that it is not the end of the world if I decide to stop the drug....that there are other options.

Ironic, that I just told someone else hours ago that they shouldn't beat themselves up about not tolerating meds but I can't seem to believe it for myself.

Thanks all.

Natalie,

You are dealing with the age old question: DMD vs QoL

If the DMD is failing you then please quit the DMD. (It is failing you, you are NOT the one failing.)

Why give up your Quality of Life (QoL)?

If this happened to me (and maybe it is and I just don't know it yet) I would drop the DMD immmmmmmmediately.

Just tell your husband the absolute facts: the DMD is causing additional problems and in order to address the issue you are going to consult your neurologist. And, that it is a COMMON PROBLEM for DMD's to fail people which is why people switch to something else.

If Tysabri fails me then I will throw it out the window in an instant, regardless of how well it is working for others...

Your Quality of Life is much more important.

-Vic
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FinLady (05-18-2008), Natalie8 (05-17-2008), PolarExpress (05-18-2008), SallyC (05-17-2008), Twinkletoes (05-17-2008)