I've been on Copaxone for a very long time. And it's really been bumming me out. I hate injecting everyday...honestly I don't it's even effective with as aggressive as my disease has been getting..I say talk with your neuro about and see...I don't wanna tell you to go off the injection and then you relapse :-/ It's hard to tell if the rx is what is helping you stay symptom-free. I wish you the best of luck with your decision!

I am surprised that you would get copaxone without a dx. These drugs are so expensive, it doesn't make sense that they would give you a therapy drug without a dx. Anyway, I never had much faith in Copaxone because they people I have known taking Copaxone didn't do well on it. They MS really progressed on it. They took it because they couldn't tolerate interferon but the thing is their MS was progressive.

It is up to you whether you want to stop Copaxone. It is your body. I had my first major MS symptom (optic neuritis) in 1982 and they didn't dx it then because there were no MRIs. So, I didn't go on a therapy drug and went until 1998 until I got another MS problem. I was really able bodied and didn't go on a therapy drug for a year and my MS progressed this time that I went out on disability. So this time, it mattered. But it probably got worse because of my chemical exposures. So whatever, it is up to you.

Best of luck, whatever you do. Listen to your body, exercise and eat well. I think that food is one of the most important things in the equation.

CIS is first known attack & a great time to start medications, the sooner the better. I have a friend who was dx CIS about 3yrs ago & started on Copaxone. She has been feeling good & has had no other relapses since.

I was dx almost 3yrs ago & have been on Copaxone ever since. In the 2yrs of trying to get a diag. I went from 2 lesions to 10 lesions. Since I started Copaxone I have no new lesions.

It's a bummer having to give yourself a shot every night but it's worth it. Not having the nasty side effects the other drugs have is also a plus. I hope you stick with it, you're feeling good & have had no changes in your MRI, that's a good thing.
Hugs
Tammy

I think since I don't have a diagnosis I wonder if I am taking the shot for nothing. It sucks not knowing the difference for sure, if any, the shot is making. Thank you for sharing...I feel like I don't want to make the wrong decision and wanted some input from others.

See a MS specialist and get a dx. If you have lesions, you probably have MS. But you are taking a chance by going off the drug.Best wishes.

Just my opinion, but there are so many people on here who do not have a diagnosis, and have many, many MS symptoms yet their doctors won't prescribe meds for them. I am on Rebif, a shot taken 3 times a week and I too am tired of the injections but am thankful that my disease isn't progressing. Think long and hard and speak to your doctor before you decide to go off the Copaxone. Best of luck to you!

There is a really good article on the National MS Society web page about this:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-we-know-about-ms/diagnosing-ms/cis/index.aspx

I treat my disease with supplements since I don't believe in the shots or any of the pharmaceuticals designed for MS. So far, I'm doing well since I stopped taking the shots. They really could never tell me whether or not they were doing anything or will actually slow progression in the future so they just don't make sense to me, for me. Instead, I pay attention to my diet and exericse. I've not use for the MS meds. I'm not saying this would be right for everyone, just letting you know my situation.

Thank you for sharing Lorrie