Glatiramer for Multiple Sclerosis User Reviews (Page 4)

• caz...
• August 9, 2008

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I have R/R MS, and after having more than 2 relapses in 1 year, I was put on Copaxone. 3.5 years on, I realize that this drug really suits me. The only problem with this medication is my poor memory, at least once per month, I totally forget to administer my injection. This causes no exacerbations, and I feel so good on it. I had suffered for quite a few years before using this preparation, and it seems like a godsend."

• PJa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 5, 2017

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I was diagnosed with RRMS in 1993. Tried Avonex, worst side effects: body pain, pounding headache instantly. Stopped drug after 6 weeks. In 1999, had relapse: double vision, numb on left side, slurred speech, dizziness, fatigue, unable to walk without falling, my mind felt odd. Doctor at Duke University suggested Copaxone 20 mg. Started in 1999. Now on 40 mg, 3 times a week. Had relapse May 2016. I have itching, welts, injection pain, lumps, and permanent indentations."

• Tab...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 1, 2019

Copaxone (glatiramer) "Diagnosed in 2006, started on Rebif, which nearly killed me. Crashing blood sugar levels. Got on Copaxone, first 20 mg every day, then 40 mg 3x/week. Besides the minor effects of tingling, fatigue, slowing down, no major issues. MRIs show minor progression. In Nov 2018, my insurance notified me it would no longer cover the cost. I’ve been working with my doctor to find the next med, tried Tecfidera, stopped after 3 weeks, the side effects were so horrible. I want back on Copaxone."

• jac...
• January 4, 2010

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I have been on Copaxone for 5 months now after being diagnosed in June. The injections are easy, but the site reactions are awful. I get red, itchy, and swollen at the site despite using heat, ice, and the various adjustments of the needle depths as directed by the nurse. I also had a really bad reaction that included chest pains and what seemed like muscle spasms coupled with electric shocks in my joints, which lasted about 30 minutes. I am going to continue for a few more months, but if there is no change, I'm going to ask my neurologist about other options. I'm glad to hear that it works for others."

• Lin...
• January 24, 2017

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I started taking Copaxone in mid-August 2016. The first 3-4 months, I didn't notice any real difference. After the first few weeks, I didn't have any more site reactions. For the last two months, I'm experiencing terrible joint pain. Leg cramps in the middle of the night; my hips are stiff, and my shoulders hurt. Just a little while ago, my hand was shaking so bad. It's scared me. So here's the thing - I'm not experiencing any of the other MS symptoms that I had before taking Copaxone. Gone are those electrical shock sensations; I'm not really more numb, the weird feeling that runs down my spine. It seems like I've traded one set of symptoms for another. Before Copaxone, I enjoyed exercising. Now, not so much. :("

• Ita...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 28, 2018

Copaxone (glatiramer) "Diagnosed with MS in 2005, started on Copaxone daily. A few months later, in 2006. Stayed on it for about nine years, and then the 40 mg came out. I have been on that for the past three years or so. My first major symptom was transverse myelitis, which eventually led to my diagnosis. It basically went away on its own, except it left my feet with sensory numbness. Other than a couple of other very annoying symptoms, I’ve had no major problems with either the 20 mg or the 40 mg dose. I use an injector and always have. I will be having my first MRI in 12 years next week, so it will be interesting to see if anything has really changed. In any case, my neurologist said he would not change my treatment regardless of what an MRI showed, which is why he never ordered an MRI after the original ones. Now it’s more of a curiosity after all this time."

• ked...
• April 15, 2011

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I have been on Copaxone now for about 10 years. I never tried any of the other medicines, but can say that my MS has not reached a stage that has debilitated me, so it's reasonable to conclude this may be having some benefit. Never had major side effects - recommended for RRMS."

• ver...
• September 9, 2009

Copaxone (glatiramer) "Taking shots every day isn't great, and the reactions to the shot sites are not always pleasant, but there are no flu-like symptoms, and the results that I have had are wonderful. I've been taking it for less than a full year, and the lesions on my brain and spine have all shrank, according to my last MRI a month ago."

• Anonymous
• January 7, 2010

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I have been on Copaxone for a month now, and each day gets easier. At first, the itchiness and red welt were not nice, but now, after adjusting my injection depth and warming the area beforehand, I have very little problems with it. I inject first thing in the morning and then just get on with my day - seems like no big deal to me."

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 12, 2017

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I was on the 20 mg of Copaxone for more than 10 years and took a break for about a year. Felt that I was stable. I felt great, and MRIs were showing no new progression. Recently started trying to get back on it using the 40 mg for the last three weeks and am getting rashes, hives, headaches, and in general feeling worn out and 'MS-ey.' Just not sure whether to be on it or not at this point."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 6, 2012

Copaxone (glatiramer) "Was diagnosed 11/2002. Put on Copaxone. Had to fight with insurance, who kept denying for 6 months. But finally approved. In 9 years, have only had one major relapse that put me in the hospital. Paralyzed from waist down for four weeks. Now use a walker. God answered everyone's prayers. In 9 years, have only missed taking my shot once. Had problems in the beginning with the thigh shot. Nurse helped with that. Am very happy with Copaxone."

• igo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 5, 2021

Copaxone (glatiramer) "One can't really rate an MS DMT, as MS is unpredictable (never know how you'd be without the DMT), so I'll weigh 3 criteria: effectiveness on phase 3 studies (not much), how controlled my disease is (well), and my side effects (very minor). Since I started it (08/2018), only a tiny new lesion appeared, and muscle rigidity became a bit more pronounced, so I plan to stay on it. Side effects were none from the beginning (except for my horrible 1st injection - went too deep). With time, I stopped caring about syringe temperature, compresses, etc. But switching from 20mg to 40mg caused pain, some blood, bruising, etc. However, a decent procedure made it fine again (I now take it out of the fridge >30min before and apply a cold compress for 1-2min AFTER). Great 1st treatment if your MS seems milder (otherwise go with a stronger DMT like Tecfidera or even Gilenya). And, of course, switch to a stronger one if you have relevant disease activity while on this DMT."

• A...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 24, 2018

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I was diagnosed in 2008. Was put on Betaseron - didn't work, Tecfidera (nightmare, no good, always read ingredients). Then Copaxone, which was a great fit, 20 mg works for me and exercise that helps balance and builds muscle. Copaxone helps, but talk to your nurse because most patients react differently."

• apa...
• August 15, 2009

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I have been on Auto Inject Copaxone for over a year now. I have just entered my second year. I may have the disease, but it certainly does not have me. I feel great for the most part. I get tired, but I think that is from chasing my 9-year-old son. I have had swelling from injections, but it disappears within 20 minutes. Arms seem to be the worst for me for injections."

• Lfr...
• September 16, 2015

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I've been on Copaxone since February 2001. I have not had a major exacerbation during that time. Previously, I had a major exacerbation approx every 5 years. The minor exacerbations I now have are very mild. Initially, I had a bad site reaction - burning like a wasp sting for about half an hour, but this passed. I did have one chest pain episode, but none since. Otherwise, no side effects - though I do have a bleeding 'rogue blood vessel' coming through scar tissue in one eye (retina). This is from a blow 10 years ago, but I wonder if Copaxone may have exacerbated this. I have been on 20 mg, only this week going onto 40 mg."

• Dom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2013

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I've been on Copaxone for 3 months, and I got to say it gives me a lot of energy. I never really had bad flare-ups, but what I had was very scary to me, and so far, Copaxone has only given me a little chest pain and shortness of breath, but other than that, I trust that Copaxone works. All I can say is stay positive."

• TSa...
• March 15, 2017

Glatopa (glatiramer) "For what it's worth, I would not recommend switching to Glatopa yet (as it's still too new in the market). I was on Copaxone for 5 years and was doing great before the switch. Had I known what I know now, I would have opted for the alternative Copaxone financial assistance (a reimbursement program) to stay on the daily shot once Kaiser auto-switched patients to Glatopa (for cost-saving purposes to them) without ensuring the negative side effects to patients because basically they just don't care. All that being said, within 6 months of switching to Glatopa, I ended up in the hospital with transverse myelitis for 10 days (with a 100K hospital bill), which is more than a relapse, it's a completely new lesion on the spine. Anyway, while in the hospital, a doctor told me that a generic does not have to be exactly the same ingredients as their predecessor. She said the generic drug can contain up to 20% of new proprietary ingredients. Wish I had known. It's unbelievable that Kaiser (or any doctor) would just switch patients to a new drug without that full disclosure or before the medication has been truly tested as a genuine safe replacement. I have since been referred to the MS Center (where they don't recommend Glatopa - go figure). My new doctor (at the MS Center) put me on Tysabri - which I hear is the 'Cadillac' of current MS treatments. Anyway, been doing fine on it so far with the exception of lingering nerve discomfort from the Glatopa relapse (for which I also take Gabapentin). Soon I will be back 100%, and in the meantime... all is well!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 28, 2017

Copaxone (glatiramer) "Diagnosed MS 2/2015; problems started 12/2014. 1st Tecfidera: @4-5 months, many side effects, horrible flushing, medicine worse than MS, t-cells plummeted. 2nd Copaxone: @2 months: hypothermia (one time very serious), and infections; @9 months, mammogram showed calcification. Pre-filled needle is thick and painful; syringes are poorly made and slip, causing pain; big lumps at injection site. 3rd Wahl's protocol (level 1 w/supplements) and Radical Remission protocol: all symptoms resolved, am better now than any time I can remember. I look forward to MRI next month, will be about 1 1/2 months off meds at that time, and 11 months on Wahls & Radical Remission lifestyle."

• Lak...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 20, 2018

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I was diagnosed with relapsing MS in August 2017. I started on 40 mg Copaxone injectable 3/week. At first, it didn’t seem so bad. Then, after the repetitiveness, I began having terrible site reactions after 5 months. I tried sticking it out, but then I started getting bad headaches, weight gain, and joint pain. I decided to switch to a once-a-day pill."

• MSg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 23, 2013

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I started Copaxone a couple of months after being diagnosed. At the time of diagnosis, I was just getting over a relapse that included numbness on my left side and a phantom turtle-neck feeling. I haven't had any symptoms since then, and that was November 2011. I'm pleased with Copaxone this far."

• Ana...
• October 13, 2010

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I've been on Copaxone for 2 years, and symptoms have gotten worse. I guess there's a reason the side effects make it so appealing to everyone. My doctor is finally changing it to another medicine, unfortunately due to severe liver side effects. I am in so much pain and fatigue every day, I've lost so much of my life, my job, my social life. Trying to overcome this monster."

• Lin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 11, 2022

Copaxone (glatiramer) "Copaxone is the WORST. In a very short period of time, I developed disgusting lipoatrophy all over my body. Have been working with plastic surgeons to fix these major eyesores, but it's been a physical, mental, emotional, cosmetic, and financial disaster. All for a stupid drug that "supposedly" helps prevent future flares (i.e., does nothing for your symptoms). I can safely say this drug ruined my life."

• Anonymous
• April 20, 2012

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I have been on Copaxone for 12 years. I have had ups and downs with this medicine, but never anything real bad. I did have some swollen lymph nodes in my groin that we assumed was from the Copaxone. I went off the medicine for a month, and they started to go down. I went back on Copaxone after a flare from being off the medicine and haven't looked back. I think it's a great medicine. I inject it myself mostly, and my wife does it the rest of the time. I don't use my arms because when you get a muscle injection, it is quite painful. I miss one here and there to give myself a night without a needle. I have had very good luck with this medicine and hope it continues for years to come."

• Ste...
• December 12, 2011

Copaxone (glatiramer) "I started Copaxone 2 months after being diagnosed. I was on the medicine for one month and loved the fact I wasn't experiencing any body aches, headaches, and felt fine. HOWEVER, the site reactions over the course of the 2 weeks got worse. I had hot, fiery red-colored 5-6 inch welt reactions at sites that became itchier after the 2nd week of injections. I wanted to cry because I was itching nonstop 24 hours a day. I stopped taking hot/warm showers, which helped, but I still itched 24 hours a day. I developed rashes from my neck to my face. I stopped after 1 month. I would have liked to stay on Copaxone, but rashes not located at the sites was a concern for the doctor and shared solutions team (the shared solutions team is great, by the way!)."

• Tam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2022

Copaxone (glatiramer) "Diagnosed in September 2020. First medication I tried was Copaxone. For the first almost 6 months, I had no issues or side effects. Thought this is great! But for some reason my body started reacting badly to the site areas after injecting. I would break out in some kind of hive that would last the week, through time they seemed to get itchier and bigger. Nurses recommended switching due to this. It is a shame because other than that, I had zero side effects and my 6 monthly MRI was stable."