So I went to the neuro yesterday and it was mentioned that starting in January 2014 Copaxone will be switching from being 20mg injected daily to 40mg injected only on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I haven't been able to find anything on this (in terms of research, announcements, etc) but I also haven't been looking to hard haha. Anybody else have anything?

Also, in the meantime I am only going to be injecting on weekdays and skip the weekend. I would love peoples' opinions on whether they think I should still be switching between all 7 sites, or if I can drop out two of my least favorites - say my arms since they are often exposed I know we aren't doctors, but what would you do?

Hi,
I haven't heard it but with as long as the 1/2 life is reported to be it would make sense to do fewer shots.

Personally I don't ever use my arms because they were getting dented and I wear sleeveless tops but I do shoot in my butt and back of my thighs...which are never seen in public, lol.

My neuro told me early this year that Copaxone was changing to how you described.
I stopped doing both my legs and arms-and my abdomen is cratered like the moon. and I have a calcified lump in my thigh from shooting there.
My neuro gave me permission-said to do arms once a month.
I decided, with his blessings, to go off C completely. I'm "not that bad" and he is monitoring me to see if sxs get worse.

Since they figured out a way to give you the same amount of
medicine, the price will be the same. Or maybe they'll up it,
just for the heck of it.

Well Sally, the syringes will need to be larger which I'm sure is worth a few thousand dollars more, lol.

Bri-

I stopped using my arms in less than one year. Too many dents as mentioned by Jules. Instead, I added some extra sites to my abdomen and both anterior legs.

Does anyone know or have a reference about whether we will have a choice of the 20 mg daily or the 40 mg three times a week? I don't want to inject 40. Can you imagine what the skin problems might be?

ANN

Good point, I didn't think that larger dose might likely increase the skin reactions. I wonder if they will have people injecting 2mls or increase the mg without increasing the mls.

I can't wait for the change, I have been taking Copaxone for going on six years total. I stopped using my arms after the first year, but I am very careful rotating my stomach area, thighs, hips and behind. I keep very detailed records on my phone calendar so I only use the same spot once or twice in a month and only after it has completely healed. I still have some craters but it has kept me healthy so it is well worth the risk.

That was my thought too, Jules! The syringes would need to be bigger, unless they decide to put it all in the same size they are using now which brings me to Ann's post . . .

I started having too many IPIR's on C and had to stop taking it. I always got skin reactions, even when they went to a smaller gauged needle. I did wonder if others would have more skin reactions and IPIR with the larger dosage.

My neuro also mentioned this and said that people were reporting similar injection site reactions or LESS than the 20mg dose. I would like to see that data, but I'm hopeful!