I think Cherie's right, giving it at least 6+ months sounds like a good idea.

I had really bad site reactions for my first 6 months. They started getting better in the 7th month, and then I got a few (like 10) dull needles...which are especially painful when you're autojecting a dull needle into yourself, and so you get a huge sore because the autoject forced a dull needle into your skin, and along with the regular site reaction that you can get normally from the shot.

This is why I switched to doing the shots manually. I'm controlling how much force is being used to get the needle into my skin, if I get any dull needles, I can usually tell pretty much immediately if it's dull and I can toss that syringe and get a new, and hopefully not dull syringe.

I dont get all anxious and freaked out anymore by the shots because I think it's a bit easier for me (and less painful!) to inject manually.

Sometimes I get my dad to give me a shot in the out-of-reach places, and he's a lot more gentle with the shots than the autoject is. Now that I've got my dad to understand that he has to inject slooooooowly.

Well, I just went ahead and took the shot tonight since I couldn't get ahold of the neuro to ask what to do and I didn't get home from work until after Shared Solutions had closed. I made myself go out to dinner with a friend and dh and it took my mind off of the whole thing. I was feeling pretty crappy today--really bad headache and nausea and complete brain fog (which I attribute to the drug as my mind was sharp as a tack before I went on it). However I saw my shrink today and she suggested taking some ativan 30 mins before I do the shot. That seemed to take the edge off the heart racing buzzy feeling. And I didn't get the hard to breathe, chest pain thing this time. Went back to the auto-stabber and YIKES!! another massive welt. I think I may stick with manual.

I know I have to try to give it some time to see if my body can adjust. I just don't do well with meds period. It took several years for me to be able to find and tolerate an anti-depressant that worked. I guess I have too sensitive a body. As a result I get massively frustrated! I think the brain fog is freaking me out -- I drove out of the garage the other day, an hour after the shot and feeling spacey, and took the freakin' side mirror right off the car. UGH. I've never done anything like that before. Today while teaching I was having serious difficulties keeping my train of thought.

The frustration may just be my resistance to the idea that MS and the meds are interfering with my life and all my work plans this summer. I'm in the resentful stage right now.

Anyhow, thanks for your supportive thoughts. Cherie you've inspired me to keep going for a little while longer, toughing it out, and hoping my body can adjust.

Have you had optic neuritis? When I was in the midst of my first major flare, which was a moderately severe optic neuritis attack, I was hitting my mirror on the side of the garage, and parking way too close to the wall of the garage.


I guess I was having problems with my depth perception.

Now I can tell when my eyes are getting all MS-y, I start pulling in too close to the garage.

Interesting thought Erin. Yes, my first attack (and really only symptom accept maybe some dizziness) was the O.N. It was mild. But I"ll tell you that this incident couldn't be depth perception related because like a complete ding bat I didn't even bother to look and just hit the pedal and burst out. What on earth was I thinking? I went to the shrink today before I had to drive to school and teach. I left my bag with wallet, glasses, school work, lectures etc. at home on the kitchen counter, got to the doc. and realized -- jeez, I forgot my "life". How could I do that??!!! BRAIN FOG. Had to turn around and drive 30 mins home to get it and then 30 mins. back to school. I feel like the Copaxone is making me stupid.

I dont think the Copaxone is making you stupid. Maybe you're having a "little" flare and it's messing with your cognition. I had a similar problem about a year ago that was so annoying. It came back when I had my little pseudo-flare about a month ago.

I really hate it when I'm trying to think of a word and cant get it...and I have to ask my boyfriend roundabout questions to get him to tell me what the word is.

Frain Bog sucks!

Hi Natalie,

Here I am . . . one who has never even tried any of the meds because I too have a terrible time with most anything . . . telling you to stay on.

Knowing my background, and the way that the MS has presented itself with me, my doc and neuro have advised me not to take them. So, please know I am not discounting your experience or issues with the drugs. I certainly wouldn't blame you (in the end) if you opt out.

I really just wanted to say that if you are strong enough to give them a try . . . you ought to give them a fair shake. If they don't work out, it is highly unlikely that you will try them again . . . so you want to be sure that you are not giving up too early. None of them are that great, when it comes to side-effects (especially with med-sensitive people), but if your body can adjust, perhaps this will keep you healthier with the disease for longer.

I'm glad to hear your anxiety about taking them has settled down a little.

Cherie