going from Avonex to Copaxone
 

I am thinking about going to Copaxone. I am on my 10th Avonex injection and am struggling. The side effects of the injection last until Wednesday. I feel pretty good on Thursday and have to start all over again on Friday!

I have a family and house to take care of. This is just not working.

I am a bit concerned about the Copaxone because I am reading many users are having trouble with hives.

Anybody do this type of switch? Are the side effects of C less than A?

Thanks,

It's not hives, it's more of a "hive". Meaning one. Right on the injection site. It's not anything too horrible, and if you can put ice on them right after the injection, and maybe a little Benadryl cream, they're really not all that bothersome.

I did have one the other day that I didnt get to ice and it was itchy a little longer than usual (couple of days) but it wasnt too bad.

If you're getting "hives", meaning more than one, when you shoot up with the Copaxone, that is probably not normal and should be mentioned to Shared Solutions or your neuro or both.


I'd rather have an itchy injection site than have the "Interferon Flu" for a couple of days. I'm hoping that I never have a problem with the Copaxone and that it does whatever it is that it's supposed to do.

I am not going to try to persuade you either way but I will tell you that 10 weeks is not enough time for most people to adjust to Avonex.

I am not on C or A but I take Rebif and I have been on it since August 07. I inject on Tues, Thur and Sun on the very next day of injection I feel horrible. Not to mention it leaves a big red spot around the injection site.Last week I took it and I must have hit a vein or something because it bruised up really bad.Needless to say I have been thinking about switching but then again I don't know if I could give myself a shot every day because I hate needles.Hope you find what works for you.

I switched from Rebif to Copaxone due to neutralizing antibodies and many exacerbations.

I have to say, I'm getting tired of injecting every day, but my exacerbations are now spaced every 8 months instead of every 3 months.

I have no side effects except burning right after injections. Pretty minor.

I say give it a try. It's not so bad :-)

Shooting up every day isnt always fun (ok, it's never fun) but lately I've been noticing that I'm doing the shot every day out of habit now, and not getting all freaked out and stressed over it anymore.

I think it's because I tossed the autojects (or, just stuck them in a cabinet somewhere) and am now doing it manually. It's easier that way. Plus, for the out of reach places, my dad helps me with those.

It's really not that bad. I'm actually glad I chose the C rather than one of the others. Pain is more acceptable to me than the Interferon Flu. (that must be my inner masochist talking) And, it's really such a minor pain to me now.

I made the switch this month
 

I struggled with the side effects of Avonex for 9 years. Though the symptoms got slightly better over the years, they never went away. When i think back on all those lost days over the years, it irritates me i didn't act sooner. I trusted my Doctors' suggestion to go with the weekly shot, but after gradual and constant worsening of my condition and episodes over the years, i'd had enough.

I switched to copaxone this month and have all its normal side effects, stinging at injection site, and a raised "whelp" for about a day - but thats it. No "flu-like" symptoms or the other horrors i experienced on Avonex. I can't say Copaxone is the best thing ever quite yet, but i sure don't miss the sick days. I took an injection sunday morning and ran a 5k with my grandsons an hour later! If this works its truly a Godsend...

sz

I was so sick on Beta, and swtiched to Copaxone. I never had hives. I had so many of the other side effects that I chose to stop, but all in all , C is an easy drug to take. Even tho its once a day, and you must keep them in the fridge, and so forth. It gets to be like brushing your teeth. Bloop and its over.

Please know in the early days it has a bite to it. it can sting like a big bee, but as days pass it hurts much less. in the end mine hardly hurt at all. There is a risk with something that can cause your heart to race, and your body to sweat. It can be quite scary if it happens, and its thought to happen if you nick into a vein instead of a fat pad, but its so rare, and if it does happen you will see it does pass after a minute or three. Just stay calm, and breathe.

I wish you the best of luck! :hug:

I think if Avonex is your thing, you would have settled to it already. Lasting side effects rarely fade completely; once a 'flu' sufferer, always a 'flu' sufferer I tend to think.
A year of suffering on Beta was enough for me. it was never going to get better.
Switched to C over a year ago.
Follow up MRI tomorrow 2 year update (hence up late tonight worrying as one does).
Will update on if they think the C is working. Cross fingers...

i never made a switch. but, i've been on C for 8 yrs. i've tolerated it well.
in the beginning i had a lot of site reactions but that has almost gone away now.

i don't get any sx's or side effects except the local ones.
plus MS wise i've been relatively stable.

it's such an individual choice. consider the pros and cons and also include your medical team in the discussion.