Any info on Copaxone and Herpes?
 

I was just wondering if anyone has any info on acquiring herpes 1 after being on Copaxone? After having a blood test my gyno confirmed I had this. I told her I was stumped because I've been married for 25 years...faithfully, and my husband too. She said I must have just carried it and my stress with MS brought it out. So, lately I've been reading on the Copaxone and its side affects. I have not shared this yet with my neurologist as I see him in a couple of weeks and am terribly embarrassed. Thanks for any knowledge on this matter.

it IS a side effect that IS possible with copaxone. If you have ever had the chicken pox, that is a form of herpes. If you even had a cold sore, that is a form of herpes. Copaxone can cause this to become an active disease.

I would speak to your neuro about it. :hug:

Definitely 1. don't be embarrassed, many have herpes, it's treatable and manageable 2. speak to your doctors

Never feel embarrassed to share around these parts. Many of us can relate all too well. :hug:

The same Herpes virus that causes chicken pox, may be a cause or trigger for MS. There are different Herpes Viruses. Talk to your Doc, you may want to change DMDs.

Welcome to NeuroTalk..:)

Really?????????????

Tell me what you know Dej.

Just recently i've been getting my usual huge (chin) cold sore more and more often. I put it down to being more tired etc.

But thinking back, it's come on more often with no external stressors since starting copax................

The plot thickens............. :eek:

Herpes is a "common" report from Copaxone users, even as far back as the clinical trials. Lets see if I can get some links going.

commonly sited in most side effects lists are

Skin and Appendages:
Frequent: Eczema, herpes zoster, pustular rash, skin atrophy, and warts. Frequent means between one in ten and one in one hundred patients showed this result.

http://www.druglib.com/druginfo/copa...rse-reactions/

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/copaxone-side-effects.html

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/brain_and...100005195.html

If you google herpes and copaxone, you will come up with a bunch of places that list the "known" side effects of copaxone. Herpes is considered COMMON meaning between 1 and 10 and 1 in 100 patients that took Copaxone reported herpes. Whether simplex 1 (cold sores) or Simples 2 (genital) they didnt say. btw, you can spread a cold sore herpes sore to a genital area and you can spread a genital area sore to a lip or eye. We are all exposed to the herpes virus all of our lives. Cold sores are a common thing in this day and age, and with everyone kissing every baby they see, its a wonder we are not blistered as children.

Im sorry to say its not rare to find copaxone patients with herpes. many wont admit it, and many will secretly be blamed by thier partners for bad behaviors that were not committed.

PLEASE have a chat with your neuro about this. dont let it stay a secret or be buried in the ever growing list of side effects. Be open and honest with your partner, and bring them into the conversations with your MD. This is a very treatable condition, but even if you stop the copaxone, you will have to be aware of outbreaks and symptoms to protect your partner from transmission. You should have your partner tested as well. Im so sorry this happened to you. It is completely unfair. :(

Not all herpes virus are genitile, or caused by a STD, either!!

I am soooo very grateful for all of your responses! I almost cried when I read them. I will talk to my neurologist when I go in 2 weeks.
My husband gets cold sores a couple times a year it seems. I've had maybe 2 since I've been married. We have never been intimate when he has them, but I'm sure that is why I eventually got them after we were married.
I will let you know what he says after my appointment. I'll also have to make sure I read all of your replies so I can build up the nerve to discuss this.
Again, thanks to all of you...you made my day!!:)

I tend to get canker sores in my mouth, another form of herpes and I have since I was a young child. They got slightly worse with the Copaxone but I take one lysine capsule a day and it keeps them under control.

If they flare up, I take two capsules a day.

From what I understand, the virus can transfer from one area of the body to another as well, so I wouldn't panic or worry about it. Lysine is very safe but if you try it, check with your doctor first just so he'll know you take it. It's cheaper than RX meds for controlling herpes outbreaks.

All STDs are not gentiles either. :D :Doh:

:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: My spelling is always a joke.

You ca-rack me up Sally girl. :hug: You're worth a million. :D Now let's stop sidetracking this thread. :o

herpes can be in your eyes, mouth, genitals, nerve roots (shingles) and so on. it doesnt always have to be the typical (whats that little sore?) signs and symptoms and can be much more severe than a little bitty cold sore after a fever. Its ever so important to wash your hands before you ever touch your face, and esp after touching *down there*. Many men simply skip the tap, or dip their fingers under running water and move on. Teach your men how to WASH their hands! Clean hands prevent the spread of many nasty things. herpes is only one of them. :o

i had a hx of infrequent herpes simplex for many yrs.
it seems when i got my MS dx i started to get them much more frequently. i started on Copaxone almost immediately after my dx.

my dr finally put me on a daily dose of valtrex and i havn't had a problem since.

I had ONE sore during my pregnancy. The MD tested it and it came up positive. This was in 1983. I was furious! My ex was a real peice of work, and I knew it came from his less than careful excursions. I thought for sure I would be troubled with it from that day foreward. I have never seen another sign of it. Even after being on Copaxone. never had a flare. I do occasionally get a fever blister, but they are rare too. I used to get cancer sores as a kid all the time. Dont get them anymore. so, I guess I too am positive, but have no sx.

I was going to mention Valtrex, but couldn't remember it's name. Thanks Nurse Nancy.:hug:

Read This
 

Genitle Herepes Wart med got someone I know off the hospital bed. He had MS in the worst degree at that point. It worked. Alferon N. Rights were bought to the drug in 2006? I forget (been a while). Dissapeared. Interferon like Rebif but ALFA not BETA. Was derived from human leukocytes.

Interferon Alfa-N3. FDA biologics told me the N3 possibly describes a protein.

I've exhausted myself over this 2 yrs ago. I quit. Possibly end of next year it's coming back. Someone else take the reins. I'm done. Posted it here long time ago.

There's herpes connection for ya.

WOW, I'm trying this Ewizabeth :O I've had canker sores for as long as I can remember (very early childhood). My best bet to avoid getting them now is to avoid acidic foods (oranges especially).

Off to the drug store, I've seen this stuff on the shelf before, just never knew of anyone who had tried it out with positive results. :) Thanks for sharing!! :hug:

Llysine is the first thing I pick up if I have a cold sore or cancer sore. Same for most of my family. it blocks the receptors that the virus rides on and makes it harder for the virus to keep replicating. wonderful stuff!

I take 3000mg Lysine/day mainly cause it's one of the 4 Copaxone ingredients. You can buy the other 3 I believe too. Have to say im still progressing but I'll take it anyway. Never called Teva to ask grams of each per shot.

What do you's think about what i said in previous post? He told me it was the best med he ever took that worked on his MS. I've asked my hema/onc what other med on market covers all the cancers approved off label for Alferon - he said none. Some are alfa, beta, others gamma. None that do all that I showed him. I hope I still have feeling in my good hand next yr. I'll try Alferon N over ALL these MS meds in a heartbeat.